Lake Winnipesaukee, N.H. Planning & Tips

The Art of Smart Timing
For many visitors, Lake Winni is synonymous with summer -- there's nothing quite like kicking back on a speedboat in the middle of the lake at noon or while away the dusk at an outdoor table at a lakeside eatery. Of course, summer is also when the lake (and highways around it) is at its most crowded, and lodging prices are highest. You can find better deals -- and sometimes if you are lucky, plenty of nice beach days -- during "shoulder season" between early May and Memorial Day -- though be forewarned some restaurants don't open until after that magical date.

After summer, fall is the best time to visit, when the famed New England foliage is reflected in the lake in all of its glory, and leaf-peepers come from far and wide to take photographs. Because of the popularity of the foliage, rates don't usually drop until after Columbus Day. Wintertime can also be a delightful time to visit -- as many of the crowds travel north to the White Mountains, you can find many smaller uncrowded ski resorts in the area, along with other wintertime diversions such as ice-skating, snowshoeing and ice-fishing on the lake. The only time to avoid is March and April, a time commonly called "mud season" in Northern New England, when the snow melts but the ground is still frozen and natives put their L.L. Bean boots to good use.

Lake Winni is the site of many kid-friendly events throughout the year, including the popular Winni Derby, a fishing competition in mid-May that brings children out to angle alongside their parents. Other fun family events include 4th of July at Weirs Beach, complete with an excellent fireworks show and an annual boat show in Meredith in late July. During winter, the hot chocolate and parkas come out every year for the "World Championship Sled Dog Races," which brings competitors from Canada and as far away as Scandinavia to compete. The only time of year you might want to miss (or leave the kids at home for) is Laconia's annual Bike Week in mid-June, one of the most popular motorcycle rallies in the country, where the Lake traffic gets congested and the bars and restaurants get predictably rowdy.

Getting There
Lake Winnipesauke is easily accessible from the highway. Coming from the south, take exit 20 on I-93 to U.S. Route 3 to Laconia. From there, continue heading up US 3 for Meredith, Weirs Beach, and Squam; or veer off on state Routes 11 and 28 to travel south around the Lake to Wolfeboro. Coming from the north, take exit 23 to Route 104 east to Meredith; or exit 24 to US Route 3 south to Squam.

The major airport is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, served by Delta, USAir, United, Continental, Southwest and Air Canada; from there, Lake Winnipesauke is a one-hour drive. Note: It's sometimes possible to find better deals by flying into Logan International Airport in Boston, which is served by all major airlines. From Boston, Winni is approximately two hours away.

Getting Around
Getting around Lake Winnipesaukee is a cinch -- with the lake as a guidepost, you can always track your direction by knowing which side the lake is on. Several major highways trace the lakeshore, with smaller roads snaking into the various bays and points. When using GPS, keep in mind that addresses in New Hampshire are sometimes more of an art than a science, with some villages foregoing street numbers altogether and strange addresses such as "3 miles off Rte. X." Whenever possible, get an exact GPS address (which may differ from the "official" street address) from your destination before heading out. In general, a car is essential for travelling in the area. In a pinch, Concord Coach Lines offers regional bus service to Meredith, Center Harbor, and Moultonborough, but the schedule is limited, and more than likely you'll want to travel farther afield from those destinations to explore all of the attractions of the area.

Visitor Bureaus
Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce
Lakes Region Association
Meredith Area Chamber of Commerce
Wolfeboro Area Chamber of Commerce
Squam Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
State of New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development