A Four-Season Guide to New Hampshire's Lakes Region

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The aptly named Lakes Region, just south of New Hampshire’s storied White Mountains, is a place filled with great natural beauty and plenty to do in any season for every type of vacation. The jewel of the area is Lake Winnipesaukee, a sprawling body of water that covers 69 square miles. However, the region is named "Lakes" for a reason - it features over 270 different bodies of water surrounded by great forests and hills, including Lakes Winnisquam, Sunapee, Opechee, Squam and Newfound. Amid this wonderful scenery is an abundance of outdoor fun and recreation for the entire family in any season. Ready to dive in? Let's go!.

Fall in the Lakes Region

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The Bounty of the Harvest

The region's diverse landscape allows for scenic foliage drives and fantastic outdoor fun. You'll also find many open-air markets and farms where you can pick up freshly picked apples and pumpkins, or wander through corn mazes. While exploring the backroads with amazing fall foliage, you'll discover a thriving collection of wineries and breweries – including..

• Seven Birches Winery and Rhythm Cider at Riverwalk Resort in Lincoln, NH
• Hermit Woods Winery & Sweet Mercy Kitchen in Meredith, NH
• Twin Barns Brewing Co., also in Meredith,
• Sap House Meadery in Center Ossipee, NH
• Haunting Whisper in Danbury, NH
• and Dam Brewhouse in Campton, NH.

Explore, Play and Learn

For those with kids along for an autumn outdoor adventure, there's great spots to explore or burn off some extra energy while having a great time. Here's a few places worth the stop:

• Explore a world between and beneath great boulders at Polar Caves Park or Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves. The caves, a formation created thousands of years ago by glacial movement and erosion, allows kids to view nature on a grand scale.
• Check out the largest outdoor paintball field in New England, and several others with varying themes, at OSG Paintball in Center Barnstead, NH. With 13 fields across 42 acres, it's the perfect place to bring your kids or friends - and shred them!
• Named in memory of the first teacher to fly on a Space Shuttle, The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a nonprofit science museum with interactive exhibits, a planetarium, Space Shuttle simulator, and more!

Holiday & Winter Wonder in the Lakes Region

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Find the Perfect Gifts

You won’t need a visit from St. Nick to bring the yuletide spirit to your friends and family this holiday season. Shop locally in the Lakes Region this holiday season for unique and personalized gifts that will leave even the Grinch in your life smiling! Explore the area’s small, independent boutiques, galleries and gift shops showcasing handmade goods and one-of-a-kind treasures:

• Mills Falls Marketplace in Meredith - with 10 shops, a hair salon, 3 distinct dining options, a 40-foot waterfall, sculpture walk and lake views, you’ll enjoy shopping ‘til you drop!
• Canterbury Shaker Village - 30 beautiful historic buildings, nearly 700 acres of land, and a variety of Shaker-inspired goods, including candles, cutting boards, cookbooks, and more.
• Moulton Farm - enjoy seasonal activities for the whole family, and stock up on the highest quality fruits, vegetables, farm-made baked goods and prepared foods.
• Amish Country Barn in Tilton, NH - handcrafted furniture, seasonal and vintage-style decor, and one-of-a-kind homeware.
• Kellerhaus - handmade chocolates, candies, and ice cream. Need we say more?

Holiday Happenings & Family-Friendly Winter Activities

New Hampshire really shines in the winter time, and not just after a crisp, white snowfall! The Lakes Region has many ski mountains, skating rinks, winter-friendly hiking trails and snowshoe spots, snowmobiling trails, and even opportunities to skijor with your dog! Between holiday open houses, festive workshops, lights fests, and appearances from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, there’s no shortage of magic around the Lakes Region during the holidays. Here are a few additional ways to kick off the winter season and get into the holiday spirit:

• Ice skating at King Pine Ski Area in Madison, NH - the outdoor Tohko Dome Ice Skating Rink welcomes all ages (and experience levels)!
• Take a guided tour with Northern Extremes Snowmobiling and explore the 50-mile Bear Notch snowmobile trail system with scenic overlooks of Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range!

Spring Renewal & Fun in the Lakes Region

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Health & Wellness

Reset your mind, body, and spirit after a long and cold winter. The Lakes Region offers the perfect lineup of wellness experiences and events, plus activities that help you get back outdoors after the winter. Whether you’re treating yourself to some R&R or escaping with your friends for the weekend, here are a few experiences you don't want to miss:

• At Mill Falls at the Lake in Meredith, enjoy a mountaintop hike and yoga, waterfall hike and meditation, standup paddleboard yoga, or a spa treatment at the Cascade Spa.
• Nearby is Meredith Whole Living where you can immerse yourself in a float tank, an infrared sauna, and a menu full of head-to-toe treatments
• In the Seasons Spa at Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness, NH, enjoy a full menu of spa treatments, followed by a spa lunch.
• Morning Yoga at the Lakehouse - partake in an all-level yoga flow overlooking Lake Harold with the Satya Yoga Studio community at Owl’s Nest Resort in Ashland, NH.

Bathing Among the Blooms

Some folks have a different definition of "relaxation", and that means either an adrenaline rush or just a quiet time out in nature away from busy streets and buildings! Here's a few ways to enjoy the outdoors during a Lakes Region spring:

• Outdoor New England in Franklin, NH offers whitewater rafting tours, plus rental of kayaks, fishing boats, rafts, bikes, plus hiking and camping gear to covers all the bases.
• When the trees start to flower, it's a great time for a train ride. Both the Mt. Washington Cog Railway and Granite State Scenic Railway offer a great view of it all. Or you can try a rail bike from Scenic RailRiders for a more intimate view of nature's renewal.
• Take a scenic bike ride or drive around the lakes, mountains and across covered bridges along the Northern Rail Trail. Or if you're more adventurous, you can try a course at Highland Mountain Bike Park in Northfield, NH. You can also ride, hike or zipline through the treetops at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, NH.

Summer Heat on the Lakes

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• The start of summer means the return of Laconia Motorcycle Week, an annual tradition dating back over 100 years featuring thousands of motorcycles, sport bikes, their riders and enthusiasts. Some of the events during the week include races, scenic rides around the area (including to the summit of Mt. Washington), shows featuring the latest bikes and riding gear, and much more.
• For family-friendly amusements, you can be part of fairytales come to life at Story Land in Glen, NH, or enjoy wet & wild fun at Whale's Tail Water Park in Lincoln.
• Hire a fishing charter or a vintage motor boat to take you out for fishing, swimming, or just quality time with the family. There's lots of lakefront outfitters for renting paddleboards, kayak, or water skis, including EKAL Activity Center in Meredith, or North Water Marine in Laconia.
• How about an animal adventure? Watch trained bear shows (yes, a trained bear!) at Clark’s Bears in Lincoln, or explore the aquatic world with a hands-on approach at Living Shores Aquarium in Glen.

Looking for some late-summer additions to your seasonal Lakes Region itinerary? Check out these seven can't-miss summer activities, from scenic train rides to lake cruises.