Things to do

• RESTAURANTS

Below are some of the local restaurants I would highly recommend.

• THEATRE

Interlakes Summer Theatre – a beautiful, recently renovated and air-conditioned 420 seat proscenium theatre located in the heart of the Lakes Region on Lake Winnipesaukee. Please check their website for their upcoming Broadway style musicals.

Winnipesaukee Playhouse: Similar to Interlakes Summer Theater, Winnipesaukee Playhouse has a variety of shows. Please check their website for their theater productions.

• GOLFING

• MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

• SHOPPING

• SKIING

• BOAT TOURS

Squam Lake: This particular one is a guide tour organized by the Squam Science Center, is scheduled for 2-3 times a day and lasts about 90 minutes. Information on the tour and reservations (highly recommended) available through their website.

Mail Boat: This is the actual mail boat that delivers the mail to the island communities on Winnipesaukee.  It is a nice tour and runs around 11-11:30 daily. Information and reservations can be made on their website.

Mt Washington Tours: This is a large boat that runs both during the day, as well an evening dinner cruise. Information and reservations can be accessed in their website.

• SCENIC TRAIN RIDES

Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad: Enjoy a nostalgic scenic excursion along the shores of the lake. The train travels between Meredith and Lakeport always within view of the lake. The railroad line was built in 1849 which was well before development on the then remote lake.

Mt Washington Cog Railway: Scenic train rides to the Summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast.

• SCENIC LOCATIONS

Kangamacus Hwy –  The Kancamagus Highway is a 34.5 mile scenic drive along NH’s Rt. 112 in Northern New Hampshire that is well known as one of the best Fall Foliage viewing areas in the country. The Kancamagus Highway is now designated an American Scenic Byway for its rich history, aesthetic beauty and culture.

Castle in the Clouds – Castle in the Clouds is a 16-room mansion and 5,500-acre mountaintop estate in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, opened seasonally to the public by the Castle Preservation Society. It’s unique history, architecture and views from its on-grounds trails makes this a popular destination.

• PUBLIC BEACHES

 Waukewan Beach – Located on Lake Waukewan – Waukewan St.

Leavitt Beach – Located on Lake Winnipesaukee – Leavitt Park Rd. off Route 25

 Ellacoya State Park – Located on 266 Scenic Road Gilford, NH

• KAYAKING & PADDLEBOARDING

You have multiple choices here depending on the lake you choose to go on.  Squam was recently chosen one of the top 10 lakes for kayaking; it is also about 20 minutes from the inn.  You also have multiple choices on Winnipesaukee with the closest rental location being about 5 minutes away.

• HIKING

Our property is 10.25 acres and we border the Waukewan Highlands Conservation Area which is about 200 acres in size.  We have our own trail that connects to the conservation land trails that access a variety of hikes as well as a wonderful pond for swimming.

  • West Rattlesnake hike – this one is a easy 1.5 mile hike with wonderful views of Squam Lake.
  • Mt Morgan hike – This one is rated anywhere from easy to moderate and it takes most about 4+ hrs roundtrip. For my taste, it has the best views of the Lakes Region providing a view of Squam, Winnipesaukee and most other lakes in the region.
  • Red Hill Fire Tower hike – This one is rated as moderate and has wonderful views of Squam, Winnipesaukee and on a clear day all the way to Mt Washington.
  • Mt Major – also a wonderful hike rated anywhere from easy to moderate.

• BEST SCENIC HIKES IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS

  1. Mt Eisenhower – There’s nothing easy about a New Hampshire 4,000-footer, but the taxing trek up 4,760-foot Eisenhower in Chandlers Purchase generally offers fine footing before the steep push to its flat, bald crown; the awe-inspiring view takes in fellow outlying Presidential Range jewels. J. Rayner Edmands’ careful trail design has withstood countless steps since 1909, helping hikers to reach the sweeping panorama.
    EDMANDS PATH & MOUNT EISENHOWER LOOP, 6.6 MILES ROUND TRIP. TRAILHEAD ON MOUNT CLINTON ROAD, CRAWFORDS PURCHASE, NH.
  2. Welch & Dickey Mountains – A splendid loop connects these two low-lying mountains near Waterville Valley, featuring Mad River Valley vistas, mostly forgiving hiking, and incredible ledges. There’s some rock scrambling, but the eye candy is worth it.
    WELCH-DICKEY LOOP TRAIL, 4.4 MILES. TRAILHEAD 6 MILES EAST ON ROUTE 49 FROM I-93 EXIT 28; TURN LEFT ON UPPER MAD RIVER ROAD AND RIGHT ON ORRIS ROAD, WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH.
  3. Mt Willard – The hike to the ledges of this small Willey Range peak in Crawford Notch serves up an eagle’s-eye view of a U-shaped valley. The trek leaves a lofty neighborhood—including the source of the Saco River, a train depot, and the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center—and ends at an open perch showcasing the towering Webster Cliffs, historic Willey Slide, and more.
    MOUNT WILLARD TRAIL, 3.2 MILES ROUND TRIP. TRAILHEAD ON ROUTE 302, ABOUT 8 MILES SOUTH OF JUNCTION ROUTES 302/3, CRAWFORD NOTCH STATE PARK, HARTS LOCATION, NH.
  4. Franconia Ridge – Arduous and wonderful, the traverse over Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette is a classic highwire circuit, with a healthy share of the trip above treeline. Simply, it showcases the glory of the White Mountains. Be cognizant of exposure to weather.
    OLD BRIDLE PATH, FALLING WATERS, FRANCONIA RIDGE, AND GREENLEAF TRAILS, 9 MILES. TRAILHEAD AT LAFAYETTE PLACE CAMPGROUND EXIT OFF FRANCONIA NOTCH PARKWAY (I-93), FRANCONIA/ LINCOLN, NH.
  5. Mt Chocorua – With a multitude of exacting trail choices, paths lead to the bare 3,500-foot summit in Albany and its superb stage showcasing the vastness of the Whites and beyond. A wonderful vantage point to see Mount Washington and the unspoiled Sandwich Range Wilderness.
    CHAMPNEY FALLS TRAIL, 7.6 MILES ROUND TRIP. TRAILHEAD ABOUT 10 MILES WEST ON KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY FROM JUNCTION ROUTES 112/16, ALBANY, NH.
  6. The Flume – The setting is certainly dramatic: 90-foot cliffs, cascading falls, and the cool dampness of a primordial forest. But there’s also something appealingly Swiss Family Robinson– like about the network of cliff-hugging boardwalks clinging to the walls of this deep granite beauty at the base of Mount Liberty.
    852 DANIEL WEBSTER HIGHWAY. 603-823-8800