Last weekend, I partnered with Roadtrippers to explore the lakes region of New Hampshire and discover all the natural beauty and charming towns along their “113 Miles of Pure Lakeshore Love” route. Since I’ve lived in Boston for several years now and have already traveled throughout much of New England, I was pleasantly surprised to uncover so many hidden New Hampshire gems along this route that I’d never known were there. I guess it just goes to show that there’s always more to discover!
My first stop was the picturesque Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm in Tamworth Village. A small $5 admission fee allows you to explore the entire 100-acre homestead and museum, as well as participate in interactive learning experiences, such as collecting eggs and hand-milking. My time strolling through the sunny meadows and meeting the various farm animals was definitely well spent!
Just a short walk from the farm is the Tamworth Distillery, where you can find unique in-house distilled liquors that incorporate a variety of fresh, native plants and grains. If you’re a connoisseur of liquor, or even if you just enjoy trying new and interesting things, this place if for you. Also, the store displays are absolutely beautiful. You won’t want to leave!
In the late afternoon of my first day in New Hampshire, I took an old wooden trolley up a mountainside in the Ossippee Range to see the “Castle in the Clouds.” When I arrived at the top, a tour guide was waiting to tell me all about the interesting history of the original owners, Thomas and Olive Plant, and about the unique architecture of the house. After that, I toured the beautiful gardens that surround the property and enjoyed the stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee below. If you’re in the area, I definitely recommend visiting!
At the Polar Caves you’ll tour through 9 caves at the base of the White Mountains that were formed thousands of years ago as a glacier retreated north at the end of the last Ice Age. The deepest cave is so cold that ice lingers down there well into summer, hence the term “polar.” As you follow the path, you’ll have to crouch down, squeeze through narrow openings in the rock, and really work your leg muscles — so come prepared with sneakers and an adventurous spirit!
At the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness I walked the ¾ mile Live Animal Trail and saw coyotes, bobcats, a mountain lion, white-tailed deer, river otters, black bears, and eagles. The Center’s philosophy on captive animals is to keep only those animals that are orphaned, injured, or unable to survive in the wild. This compassionate approach allows visitors to develop a deeper understanding of native New Hampshire wildlife, and at the same time protects animals that can flourish on their own. The whole family will enjoy this fun learning experience!
Wolfeboro
Wolfeboro is a charming little town on the southern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee with lots of ice cream parlors, boutique shops, and art galleries. After a long day of exploring, I came to Wolfeboro to stroll down Main Street, take in the lovely New England architecture, and enjoy the peaceful waterfront.
The brunch cruise on the Mt. Washington offered mountains of delicious food to compliment the majestic mountains that surround the lake. The whole cruise lasted for 2.5 hours, and took us from Weirs Beach on the eastern shore to Alton Bay in the south and back. Throughout the trip, the captain recounted interesting facts about Lake Winnipesaukee’s history, including facts about some of the unbridged islands in the middle of the lake which are privately owned.
Weirs Beach in Laconia screams summer! The small strip along the water includes an arcade, a boardwalk stretching from the pier down to a sandy beach, and beyond the beach, a drive-in movie theater. When it’s hot outside and the sun is shining, this is the place to be!
We spent a lovely three-day weekend exploring the lakes region of New Hampshire. Just when we thought we’d already explored all the interesting and beautiful places in New England, we found out there are so many more things still left to see!
