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Lakes Region
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Explore New Hampshire's Lakes Region for Lake Winnipesaukee cruises, mountain hikes, historic towns, beaches, boating and autumn scenery.

The Lakes Region occupies central New Hampshire, where broad sheets of water lie between the foothills of the White Mountains and the state's southern uplands. Its centrepiece is Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake, whose irregular shoreline reaches towards Meredith, Wolfeboro, Alton, Gilford, Laconia, Moultonborough and Center Harbor. Smaller lakes bring different moods: Squam Lake is known for wooded islands and quiet coves, Lake Winnisquam has a more open, practical boating character, and Newfound Lake is valued for clear water, beaches and rural surroundings. The landscape changes noticeably across short distances, from busy waterfront villages to forest roads and mountain viewpoints.
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Meredith is one of the region's principal visitor centres, with a walkable waterfront, independent shops and views across Lake Winnipesaukee towards the Ossipee Mountains. Wolfeboro, on the eastern shore, has a long association with summer tourism and a village centre of galleries, cafés and lake excursions. Laconia is the region's largest city and an important service and cultural centre, encompassing the waterfront areas of Weirs Beach and Lakeport. To the west, Holderness and the Squam Lake area offer a quieter setting shaped by conservation, research and low-density development, while Bristol and the Newfound Lake communities provide access to beaches, paddling and the western foothills.
The region's character is strongly seasonal. Summer brings swimming, sailing, kayaking, fishing, scenic cruises and family attractions, while autumn turns the surrounding hardwood forests into a broad palette of colour. Winter is quieter but suitable for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and access to nearby alpine centres; spring is gentle, with muddy trails and fewer services in some rural areas. Mount Major, Mount Cardigan and the Belknap Range provide accessible hiking, although they are not substitutes for the higher and more rugged White Mountains farther north.
History remains visible in mill buildings, nineteenth-century town centres, lakeside estates, historic railway traces and long-established camps. The region's earlier economy relied on timber, farming, mills and water transport before railways and improved roads encouraged summer visitors from Boston and other New England cities. Today, boating and outdoor recreation share the lakes with working communities, conservation organisations, museums, theatres and small farms. Local dining commonly features New England seafood, maple products, craft beer, farm produce and the relaxed atmosphere of lakeside cafés and traditional inns.

When is the best time to visit Lakes Region?

Best: June, August–September · 22–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January075
February170
March785
April1490
May2095
June (best)25100
July27110
August (best)26105
September (best)2290
October1795
November990
December385

Getting to and around Lakes Region

How to get there

The Lakes Region is reached primarily by road. Interstate 93 is the principal approach from southern New Hampshire, Boston and the wider New England region, with routes leading east towards Laconia, Meredith and Wolfeboro and west towards Bristol and Newfound Lake. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is the nearest substantial commercial airport, outside the region to the south, while Boston Logan International Airport offers a wider range of international connections but requires a longer onward journey. Concord Coach Lines and other bus services serve parts of central New Hampshire, although a car is generally the most practical way to reach individual lakeside towns and rural accommodation.

Transportation

Travel within the Lakes Region is easiest by car, particularly when combining lakes, trailheads, beaches and small towns. Roads around Lake Winnipesaukee can become congested during summer weekends and autumn foliage season. Local buses and community transport operate in parts of the area, but routes are limited and are not designed for comprehensive sightseeing. Taxis and app-based services are more readily available in larger centres than in rural districts. Seasonal boat cruises and water taxis provide sightseeing rather than a complete public transport network. Cyclists can enjoy quieter back roads, but should expect hills, narrow shoulders and fast-moving traffic on some routes.

Top city travel guides in Lakes Region

The cities of Lakes Region, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Lakes Region

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Lakes Region

The Lakes Region's attractions are organised around water, woodland and small-town heritage rather than a single urban centre. Lake Winnipesaukee supports scenic cruises, swimming, sailing, fishing, kayaking and waterfront walks, with Meredith, Wolfeboro, Alton, Gilford and Weirs Beach providing different access points. The quieter Squam Lake area combines paddling and wildlife observation with the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, whose trails and exhibits interpret local species and habitats. Newfound Lake and Lake Winnisquam offer further beaches, boating and lakeside recreation. Mount Major, the Belknap Range and nearby Mount Cardigan provide hiking with views across the lake country, while autumn foliage makes even ordinary back roads part of the experience. Laconia contributes museums, cultural programming and historic mill districts, and the region's seasonal attractions include family entertainment, farm visits, garden displays and heritage sites. Activities vary considerably by season, so visitors should distinguish between year-round institutions and businesses that operate mainly from late spring through early autumn.

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Best landmarks in Lakes Region

Lake Winnipesaukee itself is the region's defining natural landmark, its long, irregular shoreline and wooded islands shaping both the scenery and the settlement pattern. Mount Major, rising above the lake near Alton, is one of the most recognisable viewpoints in the area, while the Belknap Range forms a prominent backdrop near Laconia and Gilford. Meredith's lakeside setting and town centre provide a familiar civic image, with docks and public waterfront space facing the broad lake. Wolfeboro's historic village core reflects its long resort history, while Laconia's Lakeport district and former industrial buildings recall the era when mills and railway connections drove the local economy. Squam Lake's forested shores and islands form a more secluded landmark landscape, protected in part through conservation and recognised by many visitors from the film On Golden Pond. The covered bridges, meetinghouses, cemeteries and nineteenth-century houses scattered through surrounding towns add smaller-scale architectural markers to the larger geography of water and mountains.

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Best restaurants in Lakes Region

Dining in the Lakes Region combines New England staples with a growing interest in local produce and craft beverages. Waterfront restaurants and cafés in Meredith, Wolfeboro, Weirs Beach and other established centres commonly serve fish, shellfish, burgers, salads and baked goods, while traditional inns and rural eateries offer hearty seasonal meals. Ice cream stands and casual family restaurants are part of the summer landscape, particularly around the larger lakes. Local food shopping may include New Hampshire maple syrup, apples, farm vegetables, preserves, cheese, breads and other small-producer goods, though availability changes with the season. Seafood is associated with the wider New England tradition rather than originating in the inland region, while freshwater fish may appear on menus without being a defining regional cuisine. Breweries, pubs and cafés provide informal alternatives to waterfront dining, and farmers' markets are useful places to encounter produce and prepared foods from central New Hampshire.

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Best bars in Lakes Region

Evening life in the Lakes Region is modest and dispersed, with traditional pubs, brewery taprooms, restaurants, hotel bars and live music providing more of the social scene than large nightclubs. Meredith, Wolfeboro, Laconia and the Weirs Beach area have the greatest concentration of places to eat and drink, while smaller lake communities are quieter after seasonal businesses close. Summer brings outdoor seating, waterfront entertainment and a larger visitor population; autumn foliage weekends can also create a noticeable evening buzz. In the cooler months, nightlife tends to centre on local pubs, dining rooms, community events and occasional performances rather than late-night venues. Visitors should check current arrangements before travelling, as opening patterns in this seasonal destination can change considerably between summer and winter.

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Best nightclubs in Lakes Region

Evening life in the Lakes Region is modest and dispersed, with traditional pubs, brewery taprooms, restaurants, hotel bars and live music providing more of the social scene than large nightclubs. Meredith, Wolfeboro, Laconia and the Weirs Beach area have the greatest concentration of places to eat and drink, while smaller lake communities are quieter after seasonal businesses close. Summer brings outdoor seating, waterfront entertainment and a larger visitor population; autumn foliage weekends can also create a noticeable evening buzz. In the cooler months, nightlife tends to centre on local pubs, dining rooms, community events and occasional performances rather than late-night venues. Visitors should check current arrangements before travelling, as opening patterns in this seasonal destination can change considerably between summer and winter.

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Best shops in Lakes Region

Shopping in the Lakes Region is concentrated in the town centres and waterfront districts of Meredith, Wolfeboro, Laconia and nearby communities rather than in a single major retail area. Visitors will find independent clothing and gift shops, bookshops, galleries, antiques, homewares and locally made crafts, with the strongest selection during the summer season. Meredith and Wolfeboro are particularly associated with walkable visitor-oriented shopping, while Laconia provides a broader everyday retail base and access to larger stores outside the historic waterfront areas. Farm stands and farmers' markets offer maple syrup, honey, preserves, baked goods, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and other New Hampshire products. Craft purchasing may include pottery, woodwork, prints, jewellery and textiles, although stock varies among small businesses. Shopping hours can be reduced outside the main visitor season, so rural producers and independent shops are best approached as part of a planned town visit rather than assumed to be open every day.

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Lakes Region essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops, museums and larger attractions, although small farm stands, seasonal vendors, trail donations and some rural businesses may prefer cash. Keep a modest amount of cash for parking machines, informal concessions and places with weak mobile reception. New Hampshire has no state sales tax on ordinary retail purchases, but accommodation, meals and some services may be subject to separate taxes or charges.
Safety
The region is generally well set up for visitors, but ordinary precautions remain sensible in busy waterfront areas, car parks and during large seasonal events. On the water, wear a properly fitted life jacket, observe boating regulations and check weather conditions before paddling or sailing. Mountain trails can be steep, rocky and exposed, even when they appear short on a map; carry water, suitable footwear and a charged phone. Watch for ticks in woodland and tall grass, avoid approaching wildlife, and take care on rural roads where pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles and vehicles share limited space.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 anywhere in the Lakes Region for police, fire or ambulance assistance; the number is part of the United States national emergency system rather than a regional service. State clearly which town, road, lake, trail or boat location is involved, as rural addresses and shoreline access points can be difficult to identify. For a water emergency, give the lake name and the nearest marked point. For a hiking incident, provide the trailhead, route and last known location. Carrying written accommodation details and using an offline map can help when mobile reception is intermittent.
Do's and Don'ts
Do follow posted beach, boating, parking and trail regulations, keep noise down near residential shorelines, and leave natural areas as you found them. Do give cyclists and pedestrians room on narrow roads and allow faster traffic to pass safely. At historic buildings, museums and conservation sites, respect photography restrictions and stay on marked paths. Do not trespass across private waterfront or camp on land without permission. Tipping in restaurants, taxis and similar services follows wider United States practice, with gratuities normally expected for competent table service. Alcohol consumption is regulated by state law, so check local rules rather than assuming that every lakeside area permits it.
Local Tips
Meredith and Wolfeboro are useful bases for lakefront walks, dining and cruises, while Laconia is practical for services and access to Weirs Beach and Lakeport. The western lakes, including Squam and Newfound, often reward visitors seeking quieter paddling, beaches and rural scenery. Autumn colour can make roads and accommodation exceptionally busy, so reserve early and start scenic drives in the morning. For a less crowded experience, consider weekday visits, late spring or early autumn, while recognising that some seasonal businesses reduce their hours outside summer.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHi there[Hai thair]
GoodbyeSee ya[See yah]
YesYup[Yup]
NoNah[Nah]
Please/You're welcomeSure thing[Shur thing]
Thank youThanks a lot[Thangs a lot]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me[Pardon me]
How are you?How's it going?[How's it goin'?]
Fine. And you?Good, and you?[Good, an' you?]
Do you speak English?Do ya speak English?[Doo ya speak English?]
I don't understandI ain't got it[I ain't got it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[Can I see the menu?]
I don't eat meatI don't do meat[I don't do meat]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCould I get the check?[Could I get the check?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Leave me alone![Leave me alone!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![Call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![Get a doctor!]
I'm lostI'm turned around[I'm turned around]
I'm illI'm not feeling well[I'm not feelin' well]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsing, thanks[Just browsing, thanks]
How much is it?What’s the damage?[What’s the damage?]
That's too expensiveThat's a bit steep[That's a bit steep]
Can you lower the price?Can you bring it down?[Can you bring it down?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time ya got?[What time ya got?]
It's one o'clockIt's one[It's one]
Half past (10)Half past ten[Half past ten]
MorningMorning[Morning]
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvening[Evening]
YesterdayYesterday[Yesterday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorrow]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the nearest...?[Where's the nearest...?]
What's the address?What's the address?[What's the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya point it out?[Can ya point it out?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[When's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to ...[A ticket to ...]

History of Lakes Region

Abenaki Homelands and Indigenous Lake Networks

Before European settlement, the lakes and forests of central New Hampshire were part of the homeland and travel network of Western Abenaki communities, including the Pennacook and related peoples. Waterways supported movement, fishing, hunting and seasonal gathering, while trails connected the lake basins with the Merrimack Valley and the mountains. European colonisation, disease, warfare and land dispossession severely disrupted Indigenous life. Place names such as Winnipesaukee preserve an Indigenous linguistic legacy, although their precise translations and historical interpretations vary.

Colonial Settlement and Inland Agriculture

European settlement expanded into the Lakes Region during the eighteenth century, following earlier coastal and river-valley development in New Hampshire. Farms, small sawmills and gristmills appeared around the lake outlets and along streams, while communities such as Meredith, Gilford, Wolfeboro and Holderness developed local institutions and roads. The region remained relatively dispersed, with agriculture, timber and small-scale trade shaping everyday life. Churches, meetinghouses, cemeteries and early houses still provide evidence of these settlement patterns in several town centres.

Waterpower, Timber and the Industrial Era

During the nineteenth century, rivers flowing from the lakes powered sawmills, textile operations and other industries. Laconia became a notable manufacturing centre, and the settlement later known as Lakeport grew around mills and water transport at the southern end of Lake Winnipesaukee. Timber extraction altered the surrounding forests, while farming remained important in the uplands. Industrial buildings, rail corridors and mill villages connected the region more closely with markets elsewhere in New Hampshire and New England.

Steamboats, Railways and the Rise of Summer Tourism

Steam navigation and railway construction transformed the lakes from local transport routes into destinations for visitors. Rail connections brought holidaymakers from Boston and other New England cities to resort communities, particularly around Lake Winnipesaukee. Steamboats carried passengers between waterfront settlements, and hotels, boarding houses, camps and private summer estates expanded along accessible shores. Wolfeboro developed an especially strong seasonal identity, while Weirs Beach became known for entertainment and public access to the lake.

Laconia and the Lakeside Manufacturing Economy

Laconia's industrial development helped make the southern Lakes Region an urban and manufacturing centre. Textile production, machinery and related businesses used the area's waterpower and railway connections, employing residents and attracting investment. Industrial decline during the twentieth century changed the local economy, but former mill buildings and the Lakeport district retain traces of that era. Laconia's later role broadened to include services, healthcare, education, retail and tourism for the surrounding lake communities.

Conservation and the Modern Lakes Region

The twentieth century brought heavier road traffic, shoreline development and growing pressure on water quality, prompting stronger conservation efforts. Organisations concerned with lake protection, land trusts, scientific research and responsible development became important regional institutions. The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, opened in Holderness in the 1960s, reflects this educational and conservation focus. Today, tourism remains central, but the region's identity also depends on protecting lakes, forests, wildlife habitat and the year-round communities that share the shoreline.

Lakes Region in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Lakes Region

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Explore the enchanting Lakes Region, NH with Evendo. Discover top attractions, dine at the best restaurants, and experience local culture with our comprehensive, free travel guide app.

  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • Detailed maps and contact details
  • 'Near me' feature for discovering nearby attractions
  • Travel essentials and historical insights

Welcome to the Lakes Region, New Hampshire, a haven of natural beauty and charming attractions. With Evendo, your journey through this picturesque area becomes seamless and enriching. Whether you're planning to visit the iconic Squam Lake, take a scenic drive along Lake Winnipesaukee, or explore the historic Castle in the Clouds, Evendo has you covered. Dive into the local culture with curated tips and discover hidden gems like the Laconia Antique Center and the vibrant Meredith Sculpture Walk.

Satisfy your culinary cravings at renowned eateries such as Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant or the cozy Corner House Inn. Evendo provides detailed descriptions, images, maps, and contact details for each location, ensuring you have all the information you need right at your fingertips. Booking hotels, tours, and unique experiences is effortless, allowing you to focus on creating unforgettable memories.

With features like a 'Near me' option, you can easily uncover nearby attractions, shops, bars, and nightclubs, enhancing your exploration of the Lakes Region. From in-depth historical insights to essential travel tips, Evendo ensures you experience the Lakes Region like a local. And the best part? It's entirely free, with no hidden costs or in-app purchases!

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