2024 Summer Weekend in the New Hampshire Lakes Region | Travel Guide

By Andrew Collins

Anchored by New England’s third-largest lake, Winnipesaukee, this aptly named vacation playground contains more than 250 freshwater pools. Scenic cruises, leisurely hikes, and culturally and culinarily vibrant downtowns appeal to visitors of all ages. Start your adventure on the southern tip of Winnipesaukee in America’s oldest summer resort town, Wolfeboro.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY LODGING
Lake Wentworth Inn, Wolfeboro

This smartly updated brick motel offers simple but tastefully appointed rooms, some with kitchenettes. The best thing about the cheerful, pet-friendly property is its location: just steps from Albee Beach, on the shore of pristine Lake Wentworth, and two miles from charming downtown Wolfeboro and its lively waterfront on Lake Winnipesaukee. lakewentworthinn.com

SEAFOOD SHACK
Pop’s Clam Shell, Alton

Celebrate the start of your vacay with a seafood feast. All summer long you’ll see happy diners on the second-floor deck of this 1940s restaurant watching seaplanes take off and land on Alton Bay while they devour baskets of whole fried clams, cheeseburgers, haddock sandwiches, and lobster rolls. Place your order at the window, and don’t forget to add a side of crispy onion rings. popsclamshell.com

Spend your first day getting to know rippling Lake Winnipesaukee by plying its waters or visiting some lofty viewpoints around its shoreline.

SIGHTSEEING
Mount Washington Cruises, Laconia

For spectacular views of the lake and surrounding hills—plus a lesson in the region’s colorful history and folklore—take a scenic 2½-to-3-hour narrated cruise around Lake Winnipesaukee on the stately MS Mount Washington. The seasonal cruises depart daily from Weirs Beach and most days from Wolfeboro, too. Brunch and sunset dinner cruises are also great fun. cruisenh.com

HISTORIC ESTATE
Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough

Built in 1914 to the then-astounding tune of $7 million, this fabulously opulent stone mansion crowns a 5,200-acre estate with miles of wooded hiking trails. Learn about the eccentric original owner on a colorful guided tour, and savor a delicious lunch or live-music dinner (offered three nights a week in summer) on the Carriage House terrace, with its sweeping lake panoramas. castleintheclouds.org

HIKE
Mount Major, Alton

For a dazzling aerial view of Lake Winnipesaukee, lace up your hiking boots and embark on the rugged but rewarding 3.6-mile loop trek to the top of this 1,786-foot-elevation mountain. The ascent is precipitous but well-marked and comfortably shaded, and you can see the White Mountains from the rocky summit, which is also a lovely perch for a picnic. forestsociety.org/property/mount-major-reservation 

After burning off some calories with a hike or whetting your appetite on a scenic lake cruise, reward yourself with a scoop of fresh-made ice cream or perhaps a pint or two of local ale.

SWEET TREATS
Social Club Creamery, Laconia

This newcomer opened in 2023 near the south end of Paugus Bay, in historic downtown Laconia and just a 10-minute drive from the kid-approved amusements of Weirs Beach. Social Club serves small-batch ice cream in distinctive flavors like roasted strawberry and maple latte (a collaboration with nearby Wayfarer Coffee Roasters). socialclubcreamery.com

CRAFT BREWERY
Twin Barns Brewing Co., Meredith

Named for its location inside two striking mid-19th-century red barns in the resort community of Meredith, this first-rate brewery has ample seating in the high-ceilinged taproom and outside in the sprawling biergarten. Regulars swear by Twin Barns’ roasty Burlwood Porter, full-bodied Lake Cruiser DIPA, and crisp Blackey Cove, a Schwarzbier-style beer. The kitchen serves tasty gastropub fare. twinbarnsbrewing.com

From the town of Meredith, at the northwest end of Lake Winnipesaukee, it’s less than a 10-mile drive to smaller, quieter Squam Lake, which served as the filming location for the 1981 Fonda/Hepburn tearjerker, On Golden Pond.

WATERFRONT RESTAURANT
Walter’s Basin, Holderness

With both dockside seating and an expansive dining room, this casually stylish restaurant offers unobstructed views of Little Squam Lake and its forested shoreline. The eclectic cuisine is terrific, too, from ahi tuna wontons to a decadent lobster mac and cheese that’s almost impossible for one person to finish. waltersbasin.com

ROMANTIC INN
The Inn on Golden Pond, Holderness

The young owners of this 1875 country inn near the shore of Little Squam Lake have given the guest rooms a contemporary makeover, creating an atmosphere that’s both upscale and uncluttered. Rates include a bountiful full country breakfast, and it’s just a two-minute stroll to the inn’s private beach, where guests can borrow kayaks and paddleboards. innongoldenpond.com

NATURE PRESERVE
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness

This remarkable 210-acre environmental education center situated on the western shore of Squam Lake abounds with engaging, family-friendly activities. You can view enclosures inhabited by native fauna (bears, foxes, river otters, bobcats, and more), amble through gardens and on guided nature walks, and hit the water on loon and eagle cruises narrated by knowledgeable naturalists. nhnature.org