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New Hampshire > Lakes > Things to Do and See > Great Things to Do in NH

Great Things To Do - Lakes NH Region

The Lakes region of New Hampshire is swimming in family fun all year round from beaches with action packed water sports to scenic driving tours. There’s majestic fall foliage, celebrated winter sports activities, and tax-free shopping. Outdoor and indoor attractions are abundant. Hike and bike through rustic villages and towns or take a lake cruise. Stroll antique shops, art galleries and English gardens. Discover great chocolate and pottery and every kind of natural setting your soul could wish for.

Sweet Sunset - Lakes Region Association - New Hampshire
Lakes Region Tourism Association

61 Laconia Road Tilton, NH, 03276 Phone: 603-286-8008 Toll-Free: 800-605-2537

Bustling Lakes Region is a playground for every type of vacationer, every season of the. Year

Why settle for one type of vacation when you can have every type of getaway in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. You want outdoor sports? There’s skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, zip lining, golf, tennis, biking and kayaking — just for starters. You’d rather have a quiet, relaxing time? Book a cottage (with a porch) by a private beach, go on a lake sail or boat tour, have dinner aboard a train as it winds its way through the woods. There are concerts and plays, farms to visit, museums that celebrate everything from arcades to American history. There are attractions like Clark’s Bears and Santa’s Village and parks, trails and sanctuaries that bring you close to nature. The region really is a playground for all seasons.
Rear View 500x250 - Castle in the Clouds - Moultonborough, NH
Castle in The Clouds

Route 171 - 455 Old Mountain Road Moultonborough, NH, 03254 Phone: 603-476-5900

Variety of indoor and outdoor activities make this estate well worth a visit

One of the best parts of visiting Castle in the Clouds is the variety of fun, interesting things to do. It starts as soon as you get out of your car with a trolley ride up to the 1913-1914 Lucknow Mansion. It is there that you will explore our premier historical museum, including everything from the original furnishings and vintage clothing to the basement, where you will get a glimpse into servants’ lives. Step outside into the gardens or head to the Carriage House Exhibit Gallery, currently featuring “Lucknow’s Laborers: The People Who Built and Cared for Tom Plant’s Estate”. There are hiking trails, more than 200 programs and events, and a meadow available to rent for events and weddings.
Lakeside Fun - Granite State Rail Bikes - Laconia, NH
Granite State Rail Bikes

15 Veterans Square Laconia, NH, 03246 Phone: 904-870-4273

Fresh air, beautiful Lakes Region scenery all part of the rail bike experience

Get some fresh New Hampshire air and take in some gorgeous Lakes Region views as you pedal along the tracks at Granite State Rail Bikes. The 5-mile round trip from the Laconia, NH Railroad Station, which opened in 1892, meanders through Belmont Woods, over a trestle bridge spanning the Winnipesaukee River and Durkee Brook, and along the western shore of picturesque Lake Winnisquam. Experienced guides at the front and back of the group will spin the bikes around halfway through, giving you a chance to relax on benches on the lake shore. Riders are spread out, so you can go at your own pace along mainly flat terrain. Granite State also offers special trips for larger groups and picnic lunch trips. Trips are held early May through late October.
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

154 Main Street Meredith, NH, 03253 Phone: 603-279-5253

Travel by train along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee three seasons of the year

There are many ways to enjoy Lake Winnipesaukee in the spring, summer and fall, but one of the most unusual is to see it by train. The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad offers one- and two-hour round trips along the lake’s shore: From one side of the train, you’ll see impressive panoramic lake vistas; from the other side, you’ll see the gorgeous homes along its shores. The two-hour trip leaves from Meredith, NH; the one-hour excursion departs from the historic boardwalk at Weirs Beach, NH. Bring your own picnic lunch to enjoy on board. In the fall, the train offers four-hour foliage trains that stop in Plymouth, NH for a buffet lunch and in Ashland, NH for a tour of the restored train station. And there’s a Turkey Dinner Train with a complete catered turkey dinner.
2-Hour Guided Tours from Mt. Washington Auto Road - Learn about the unique history, flora and fauna of Mt. Washington - Click here to book your trip now!
The New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival, Presented by NHSCOT - September 20-22, 2024 at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln. Click Here to reserve your tickets!
Naswa Resort on Lake Winnipesaukee - Award-Winning Hospitality in New Hampshire's Lakes Region
kellerhaus chocolage in weirs beach nh
Candy, Candles, Collectibles

Wintry weather, family holidays, and candy. These three go together like two horses and a carriage. Since 1906, Kellerhaus on Endicott Street North in Weirs Beach has been delighting customers year-round with homemade candies, unique gifts, and awesome views, not to mention the candle and collectible showrooms. Visitors can watch the candy being made by hand in the candy shop. Bring your appetite to the ice cream sundae and waffle buffets. Your taste buds will thank you.
byway not the highway around NH lakes
Byway, Not the Highway, By the Lakes

So, what’s so great about traveling by car? To take in great sweeps of Lakes region scenery, get in your vehicle and tap into the Lakes region scenic driving tours. Several self-guided driving and walking tours are described by the people who know the area best -- the Lakes region tourism association. Scenic drives take you along Lake Winnipesaukee and around the general region, presenting grand views, lakeside villages and fun places to eat and shop. [ photo: NH Dept.of Resources and Economic Development ]
Old Country Store in Moultonborough, NH
The Old Country Store; Old History Stage

You can buy treats and trinkets of all kinds at the Old Country Store on Whittier Hwy. in Moultonborough. And if you have all your senses tuned up, you might feel the stories of long ago in this place, built in 1781 on land given to Jonathan Moulton for his service during the Revolutionary War. The place also has served as a library and a post office and has hosted town meetings. Today, go there for candles, toys, shoes, local products, kitchenware, and penny candy, with a pickle barrel, maple syrup, and a good dose of John Deere merchandise. Kids will love it. 603-476-5750
Winnipesaukee river trail
Biking Alongside Winnipesaukee History

The Winnipesaukee River Trail is just right for people interested in taking a walk or bike ride on a scenic historic trail -- yet with the feel of wilderness -- close to the downtowns of Franklin and Northfield. This five -mile trail connects Tilton, Northfield and Franklin along the Winnipesaukee River and passes the historic Sulphite upside-down covered bridge. Walkers on the trail can view mill ruins and remaining portions of dams that tell the history of the five mills that operated on this river in the mid-19th century. Access points: Central Street in Franklin (under the railroad trestle); Cross Mill Road in Northfield; Old Surrette Battery property off from Park Street in Northfield (across the street from the library); 142 East Main Street off Route 3 in Tilton; Route 140 at Railroad right-of-way just past McDonalds. Email: innirivertrail@gmail.com. Trail brochure and map.