Lake Winnipesaukee is New Hampshire’s largest lake, but that’s not the only title that it holds.
In many ways , Lake Winnipesaukee , New Hampshire is a place that fourth dimension forgot . Just take a walk along the wooden boardwalk at Weirs Beach in the townspeople of Laconia , and you might conceive it ’s the 1980s instead of the twenty-first C . Besides being New Hampshire ’s large lake , Lake Winnipesaukee has another interesting eminence — it is home to thecountry ’s oldest float Emily Post office . The chain mail sauceboat service began in 1892 , and the M / VSophie C , which launch in 1945 , currently delivers mail daily to nine of the lake ’s islands between June and September .
The lake is beautiful any time of year — the leaves put on quite a show in the fall , and the winter brings a restrained stillness — but summer is when the lake itself strike center stage . “ We ’re just one big summer community — it is what we are , ” aver Anne Nix , mail salesclerk for theSophie Cfor the last 24 eld . Nix ’s house has had a summer abode on the islands since the belated 1800s , but you do n’t have to be a local to relish a visit to the iconic lake .
Here are some tips to make the most out of your trip .
Courtesy of Mount Washington Cruises
Travel time:
1 hour 53 minutes from Boston5 hours 27 minutes from New York City
If you don’t do anything else: Take the mail boat lake cruise
“ You have to take a slip on the chain armour sauceboat because not only is it nostalgic , but it gives you an up closemouthed and personal view of the lake , ” Nix say . “ You get to go out to the islands and have kind of a little bit of a picture of what it ’s like to be living out on the islands in the summertime .
The chain armor cruise leaves from the dock at Weirs Beach , in the township of Laconia twice day by day , at 11 am and 2 pm , rainwater or shine , every day except Sunday . The two - hr cruise is extremely popular with visitant , so it ’s important to purchase just the ticket ahead of time to verify that you do n’t get bequeath at the dock . The dock is correctly along the Weirs Beach boardwalk , also where the train impart , so you ca n’t escape it . The ring armour cruise is not the only lake sail option , but it ’s certainly the most distinct . Where else can you ride along with a ring armour carrier , while take a ride around a pristine lake ?
Passengers room theSophie Cand ride along the bringing route , while drive in the sites of the lake — pontoon boats , monolithic summer homes , tiny lake cottages , and fish shuttle soaring overhead . At some stops , they just throw off the mail bag off at the dock , but at others , Sophie ’s sojourn is a societal event . Island residents , like Bear Island ’s Barabara Laround , often add up to the dock to say hello . “ You get to meet people on all of the dissimilar island , and it ’s just fun , ” Nix enunciate . Barbara ’s married man likes to stand at the dock and receive a pedigree to help the deckhand out .
During the voyage , passenger are bid to fill out and mail postcards right on display panel , perfect with Sophie ’s own unique , collectible cancellation stamp , and purchase shirt and hats . The forenoon and afternoon routes are different . In the morning , the sauceboat is schedule to blockade at Loon Island , Bear Island , Three Mile Island , and East Bear Island . In the afternoon , Camp Lawrence , Birch Island , Sandy Island , Cow Island , and Jolly Island are scheduled , but some islands are not even inhabited every twenty-four hour period . Throughout the route , theSophie Ccan be recognise and flourish to as it passes by .
Tiny Loon Island only has one house , and the prop has been in the same family unit for six generations . On a pretty day , do n’t be surprised to be greet by the current possessor , and he may even dive in the lake as you pull off . “ It ’s a tradition , ” Nix says . “ The islanders wish to jump out into the wake because of the agitation of the water and how it feels against the skin . ”
Three Mile Island has a distinguishable teenage vibration , but in an previous - school kind of way . The dimension , including a lodge and 47 cabins , has been owned by the Appalachian Mountain Club since 1900 , and camper can be ground lallygag on the wharf when the sunlight ’s out . “ The island jolly love to get along down to meet Sophie so they can get a skillful frappe cream dainty , ” Nix says . When islander go to townsfolk to shop , they have to put everything in deep-freeze bags to keep it cool , so on hot days , it ’s difficult to transport even today .
Courtesy of Visit New Hampshire
Fill your days:
Outdoor activities near Lake Winnipesaukee
When visiting Lake Winnipesaukee , be sure to allow passel of time to enjoyWeirs Beach . The calm body of water are staring for kayaking or canoeing , and the sandy shores are a great position to love a picnic . The boardwalk area is lined with shop , games , and place to eat on .
Another popular activity for both visitors and locals is hike up to the top of Mount Washington , the mountain seen easily from the lake . Mount Washingtonis the high-pitched peak in the Northeast east of the Mississippi River . From the top of the tidy sum you may see five states and Canada on a clear day .
Located in Moultonborough , Castle in the Cloudswas formerly an early 1900s estate , also recognize as the Lucknow Mansion . Between house circuit , hiking and equestrian trails , and a brewery , it ’s easy to drop an entire day at the demesne with amazing lake prospect .
Courtesy of The Funspot
Other places to explore
If you have ever enjoy playing a video game in your intact life , Funspot Arcadein nearby Laconia is not to be missed . new and one-time alike will find something to amuse themselves with three stories of every kind of biz conceivable — pinball , classic arcade games , like Ms. Pac - Man , skee ball — plus a bowling alleyway and indoor putt putting course . Across the street , take a twirl around the quarter - mile go kart track atWeirs Beach Go - Kart Track .
If the idea of boost to the top of Mountain Washington seems daunting , another mode to explore the majestic peak is byThe Mount Washington Cog Railway . The former cog railway in the United States leaves from the place at the wharfage for theSophie Cand operates yr around . For those who prefer to drive , theMt . Washington Auto Roadis another agency to the summit .
Eat, drink, and sleep:
Restaurants & bars in Lake Winnipesaukee
If you ’re looking for something more upscale , Lakehouse Grille , located at Church ’s Landing in Meredith is worth a sojourn . The menu boast a lot of seafood beauty , like lobster roll and New England Melanogrammus aeglefinus , and steak . But if you want something more casual and less expensive , grab a slash of pizza atGiuseppe ’s Pizzeria & Ristorante .
When you add up to the lake , most people want to see water . Town Docks Restaurant , open summers only , is a fun place with an outside tiki bar and boat tie - up andBoardwalk Bar & Grill , with a deck leave out the lake and live amusement is another option on the piddle .
After the mail sail , track the street toIvy ’s Ice Creamfor a cherubic goody . proprietor Jen and Ryan Slater opened the shop in 2024 , and appoint it after their girl . Ryan , a Navy warhorse , also serve keep the colonnade next room access run .
Weirs Beach is decidedly family - well-disposed , so keep in idea that most dining emplacement tight by 9 necropsy .
Where to stay in Lake Winnipesaukee
There are eight small towns that skirt Lake Winnipesaukee , so there are lots of inns , cottage , and campgrounds , look on your personal preference . If you ’re looking for more of a traditional , retro lake bungalow , Half Moon Motel & Cottagesis settle directly across the street from the Weirs Beach boardwalk , just step away from the bobtail .
Mill Falls at the Lakeis a lakefront resort with four dissimilar accommodation options locate in the township of Meredith just a short drive from the dock for the lake cruise . The four inn are within walk distance of each other and share hotel amenities , including lake activities like kayaking , cobalt blue cycling , and abide - up boat paddle embarkation . Church Landing is design for luxuriousness , with open fireplace and gardens , while Bay Point and Chase House are focus around views of the lake and town docks . Housed in a restored nineteenth - 100 linen mill , The Inn at Mill Falls is particularly popular with family because it has an indoor pocket billiards , and leisurely admission to dining and shopping , in summation to a 40 - foot waterfall .
On the northwestern shores of the lake , Center Harbor Innis an upscale lodging option with an all - time of year hot tub overlooking the lake .
