Lake Winnipesaukee Travel Guide
Welcome to the largest lake in New Hampshire’s lake region - Lake Winnipesaukee! The lake spans over 72 square miles and contains over 250 islands. Nestled in the foothills of the White Mountains, the lake is surrounded by a beautiful backdrop of mountains and forests, making this an ideal spot for a day trip or extended getaway. It’s very popular for hiking, scenic drives, camping, and boating. While the area is especially popular in the summer, it’s also a fantastic year-round destination.
A few must visit spots located along the shores are:
Laconia (Weirs Beach)
Meredith
Wolfeboro
Moultonborough (for Castle in the Clouds)
What to do in Laconia (Weirs Beach)
Cruise on the M/S Mount Washington
Start off your trip with a cruise on the historic M/S Mount Washington. The 2.5 hour long cruise is the perfect way to get a feel for the area and really experience how large the lake is. The ship offers indoor and outdoor seating options, full meals and snacks, a full bar serving up local beverages and cocktails, and bathrooms. There are several different cruise options including the narrated scenic tour which I took. You can also opt for a dinner cruise, sunset cruise, or a haunted cruise (a really fun option for spooky season). Cruises run through the end of October.
Tips for your trip:
Advance reservations recommended - Book your ticket online in advance at Mount Washington Cruises to make sure you have a ticket for your preferred time. The cruises often sell out, especially during the summer months. If you book a 10 am cruise time from Weirs Beach, you also have the option to get off at another port and then take a return cruise later in the day.
Parking - There are several different departure locations to choose from. I recommend departing from Weirs Beach and purchasing the pre-parking reservation option for $10 so you know you have a parking spot when you arrive. From the reserved parking lot, it’s a quick (about 5 min walk) to the dock.
VIP Boarding Option: You can also choose a priority boarding pass which I opted to try for an additional $10. This VIP option provides you with a separate waiting area, priority boarding so you can skip the line and head straight on board, and an indoor reserved seat for any dining on-board the ship. Just scan your own personal QR code to have your food or drink order delivered right to your seat. With VIP you also have access to all the open seating options indoor and outdoor on the ship.
Is it worth it? In my opinion, yes during popular times so you can select your favorite seat onboard and skip the lines which can be quite long.
Wiers Beach and Beach Boardwalk
After cruising across the lake and arriving back at Wiers Beach, spend some time walking along the boardwalk or relax on the beach’s smooth sandy shores. You will also find classic beach shops, food, and arcades here.
What to do in Meredith
Sculpture Walk
Located just 10 minutes north of Weirs Beach is the beautiful town of Meredith. Take a stroll along the shores of the lake by following the sculpture walk which features a series of unique sculptures. The sculptures featured rotate so there’s always something new to see. For the full list of sculptures currently on display, check out the Sculpture Map.
Hermit Woods Winery and Eatery
After getting your steps in with the sculpture walk, it’s time to relax at a beautiful local winery. Hermit Woods Winery offers a great outdoor patio space (and indoor space too), a delicious selection of wine, and a menu featuring lots of tasty snacks. Their wine bottles also have the cutest labels, making them the perfect gift to pick up for any wine lover.
What to do in Wolfeboro
Known as the “Oldest Summer Resort in America,” this charming town was incorporated in 1770.
It’s one of the most popular spots along the shores of the lake and for good reason - it’s absolutely beautiful!
Explore the Town and Enjoy an Ice Cream
Take some time to explore the downtown and visit the unique shops. There are lots of restaurants making this area an ideal lunch or dinner spot.
Make a stop by Bailey’s Bubble for an ice cream. Tip - This spot is cash only so be sure to bring cash with you or you can also use the ATM located right outside the ice cream store front.
Sunset
Take a drive along the lake and catch sunset on the beach at Wolfeboro. The colors can be incredible here and it’s a beautiful and peaceful way to end the day.
Castle in the Clouds
A trip to Lake Winnipesaukee is not complete without a stop to this mountaintop estate featuring a historic 1913 mansion on 5,000 acres.
You’ll also find an on-site restaurant, a series of scenic hiking trails, and epic views of the lake.
Visiting Castle in the Clouds
Start by setting your GPS to 455 Old Mountain Road, Moultonborough. You can access the main visitor parking area by taking Pamela’s Terrace if you want an adventurous route. This 1.5 mile scenic narrow dirt road winds through the woods to reach the top. An alternate way to reach the main parking area is via Ossipee Park Road, which is a wide paved road. This is the route that I took to reach the top and would recommend. Follow the signs to the main Visitor’s Center parking area.
Head into the Visitor’s Center and Gift Shop to purchase tickets to take a self-guided tour of the mansion. You can also purchase a combined mansion and basement tour. After purchasing your tickets, head next door to the Carriage House to pick up the shuttle to the mansion (you will also find restrooms here). The shuttle ride is only about 2 minutes from the Carriage House to the historic mansion.
Tours are offered May-October. See the Castle in the Clouds website for the latest hours, prices, and an option to purchase tickets in advance.
Tour the Mansion
Explore the Lucknow Mansion with a self-guided tour, which includes the first and second floors as well as the outside area and gardens. You will start your tour with a welcome video to learn all about the history of the mansion and there are also guides available throughout the rooms of the mansion who can provide details of the mansion and answer questions.
The views of Lake Winnipesaukee are also fabulous from the mansion.
The Basement Tour: The 45-minute guided tour allows you to really see the bones of this incredible historic mansion. You will learn about the unique features and modern appliances that this home was equipped with and also learn more about the original owners and history of the property. Basement tickets can be purchased in advance and are offered at set times throughout the day.
Lunch at the Carriage House
After touring the museum, it’s time to take the shuttle or trail down to the Carriage House. The trail is very short and only a few minutes to walk. The Carriage house offers a great outdoor patio space with more views and a full menu and bar. Enjoy a relaxing lunch here before setting out for more adventures on the property.
Hike the Trails
There are 28 miles of hiking trails located on the property and they are free to explore. For a scenic leisurely hike, I recommend the Brook Walk trail, which features seven unique waterfalls, including the stunning 40-foot Falls of Song waterfall across a 1-mile out and back hike. The trails are well marked and maintained by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. For more information on the hiking trails and to download a trail map check out the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area website.
Where to stay:
I stayed at the Top of the Ridge Farm Bed & Breakfast in New Durham, New Hampshire. This boutique bed and breakfast is located in a quiet area surrounded by farmland while also being just minutes from the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. See my blog post “A Stay at Top of the Ridge Farm” for all the details.
