Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest and one of the deepest lakes in New Hampshire. Centered in the popular vacation area known as the Lakes Region it provides 4-season pleasure for millions every year.
The lake is surrounded by the foothills of New Hampshire's White Mountains, which provides stunning backdrops to this jewel of a New Hampshire lake, and magnificent views for those prepared to hike a few miles to the summit of surrounding peaks.
The lake is spring fed and clean, and many homes on the lake take their water supply directly without any filtering.
But the native people have known this lake and its beauty for 10,000 years. They gave Lake Winnipesaukee the Indian name meaning "Smile of the Great Spirit."
These days people still fish and canoe on the lake but it's shared with modern day jet skis and motorboats. But essentially Lake Winnipesaukee is an area to take your time exploring, and let the hours tick slowly by.
I've been visiting Lake Winnipesaukee for the last twenty years and I have these suggestions for enjoying your visit to the Lake.
M/S MOUNT WASHINGTON CRUISE
For a 132-years a cruise boat has been traveling up and down the 72 square miles of the lake. The current boat ? M/S MOUNT WASHINGTON has been operating since 1946. Due to the demand it was extended in 1982 by cutting the boat in half and placing a middle section.
Today with it's three decks and ample room there's no better way of getting oriented on the Lake. You can board the boat at Weirs Beach and take the 2 and ? hour cruise down to Alton Bay or up to the picturesque town of Meredith.
When you make the trip be prepared to do a lot of waving. The M/S Mount Washington is a popular and the most distinctive boat on the lake, and you'll find most boaters and people on the shorelines waving in recognition of this majestic large ship.
THE LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE SCENIC TRAIN RIDE
The Lake Winnipesaukee scenic train runs from Meredith to Weirs Beach to Lakeport and back. You can take a 1 hour or 2 hour ride. You'll get spectacular views of the lake and shoreline and Belknap Mountain.
This is a slow ride train as it travels the shoreline on Paugus Bay, and you'll get plenty of time to admire many of the stunning homes built on this stretch of the ride.
Snacks and ice cream are sold on the journey.
THE CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS
The Castle in the Clouds is a magnificent home built on a mountaintop in 1913 by industrialist Thomas Plant.
You can tour the castle and grounds where you'll find waterfalls and miles of trails to explore. During the fall foliage season it offers majestic views of the lake and surrounding area.
The Castle is near Moultonboro on the eastern side of the lake and you can get there by following Route 171 in Ossipee.
BELKNAP MOUNTAIN HIKE
For these willing to be a little more adventurous Lake Winnipesaukee offers some great hiking tails. Many are moderate to difficult, but the Belknap Mountain hike in Gilford is easy and can be done by most people including small kids.
This is an enjoyable walk and you should allow 2 and ? hours round trip to appreciate the walk to its fullest. At the summit you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view of Lake Winnipesaukee, and if conditions are right you can sometimes spot Mount Washington in the distance.
Take Route 11A to Gilford and drive south through the village. Stay on this road as it climbs Belknap Mountain road. Eventually you'll see signs and a parking area on the left.
These are just a few activities you can do when visiting Lake Winnipesaukee.
For more information and details on Lake Winnipesaukee attraction and things to do visit the Lakes Region web site at www.lakesregion.org.
Cliff Calderwood is the owner and contributing writer of http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com. You can read more about http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com and get a free travel report at his http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com site.
Chicago limo Skokie ..Mystic Seaport celebrates the seafaring past of New England. Known... Read More
The Kenya safari circuit is one of the best in... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
So unknown is this treasure of Lake Jipe not many... Read More
The great state of Washington offers some of the best... Read More
Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded... Read More
A South Africa safari is the ideal wildlife trip to... Read More
Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More
Romancing History ? A Holiday in RajasthanRajasthan, the name evokes... Read More
SAFE WALKING TREKKING OUTDOORSIf you are contemplating a long distance... Read More
There are two types of used inflatable boats for sale... Read More
Don't all of us love to have the money to... Read More
The state of Goa on the West coast of India,... Read More
Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a... Read More
Thousands of golfers flock to the Carolinas each spring and... Read More
You would think that a cheap safari in Africa for... Read More
A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help... Read More
The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More
Santa Cruz Church, the church of the holy cross, was... Read More
The thing with enjoying the great outdoors is seeing aspects... Read More
Summer is for picnics, hikes, outdoor concerts, barbeques ... and... Read More
How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts... Read More
The Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok, conducted on very rare... Read More
The most famous Egyptian pyramids to be built are the... Read More
Scotland has taken its place as the new Mecca for... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..No one can truly say... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
Have you ever thought you might like to try a... Read More
The dictionary defines a tent as 'a portable shelter usually... Read More
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded... Read More
An inflatable boat trailer is needed if the user has... Read More
It was the end of my first year as a... Read More
Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most... Read More
Hello Again,Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals... Read More
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
Simply sitting and watching birds is a popular hobby around... Read More
Drive along one of South Africa's scenic strips and you... Read More
Everyone has a travel dream. For many it is hitting... Read More
The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More
The beautiful Salmon River stretches through over 400 miles of... Read More
There's nothing that will quicken the interest of RVers like... Read More
One morning in mid summer, I headed out for some... Read More
Mount Sunflower, Kansas. Ebright Azimuth, Delaware. Hawkeye Point, Iowa. Hoosier... Read More
Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping... Read More
The last thing you want on an African safari is... Read More
The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter... Read More
When you search online for a camping gear outlet you... Read More
Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going... Read More
Hiking shoes versus hiking boots? Hiking shoes win. Okay, next... Read More
Outdoors |