10 Best Lakeside Towns in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s lakeside towns combine scenic beauty and outdoor recreation with the comfortable appeal of small-town communities. Meredith and Center Harbor, on Lakes Winnipesaukee and Squam, share an inviting atmosphere that encourages extended visits. In Newbury, Lake Sunapee’s accessible waterfronts complement year-round recreational opportunities. In other areas of the state, the Newfound River connects Newfound Lake with the Pemigewasset River through rural landscapes marked by historic town centers. These 10 lakeside towns reflect a collective spirit based on the relaxed rhythm and appeal of lake life, making them distinctive destinations for leisure and exploration.
Meredith
A year-round destination in the Lakes Region, Meredith plays host to an expansive waterside community where lakefront activities can be found around nearly every corner. Officially incorporated in 1768, it is set on Lake Winnipesaukee at Meredith Bay. Lake Waukewan is on the west side of town, while Lake Winnisquam lies at the southwestern end. A walkable village overlooks Meredith Bay and features boutique shops, restaurants, and marinas. Meredith is one of the ports for the M/S Mount Washington, a 230-foot-long excursion ship that provides sightseeing and dinner cruises around Lake Winnipesaukee.
Lakefront activities are staples in Meredith. Several beaches, such as Leavitt Beach and Hesky Park, are perfect for relaxing and swimming. Anglers can cast for salmon and several types of trout, or go ice-fishing in the winter. The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad travels through the Lakes Region. Boarding in Meredith or Weirs Beach, riders can take in scenic views along the lake’s western shoreline on a one or two-hour ride.
Center Harbor
Set between two lakes, Winnipesaukee and Squam, Center Harbor is a classic waterfront New England village with a close-knit vibe. A walkable downtown has ice cream shops and restaurants. The Center Harbor Village Historic District is lined with buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including the 1907 Kona fountain and the 1886 Center Harbor Village School.
Nostalgia comes in the form of a waterfront gazebo and the Town Bandstand, which hosts performances by the Center Harbor Town Band, founded in 1878. Small and rural, Center Harbor’s residential community swells to a larger population during the summer season when boating and outdoor recreation come into play. The town docks and public boat launch make it convenient to get out on the water while artists’ galleries share the town’s cultural side. Squam Lakes Artisans Gallery is a cooperative where local artisans display and sell paintings, pottery, and textiles.
The 235-acre Fogg Hill Conservation Area has woodland and wetland habitats that support rare plants and a kettle hole bog. Visitors can hike a 2.0-mile trail to the summit.
Moultonborough
Between Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake, Moultonborough combines quiet and rural residential living with the recreational options of a lakeside location in the Ossipee Mountains. Incorporated in 1777, the town has more than 66 miles of shoreline, one of the longest on Lake Winnipesaukee, as well as access to Lake Kanasatka. The walkable downtown area inspires the character of a New England village, with waterfront views, inns, and the historic Old Country Store. One of the oldest in the US, it dates to the 18th century and operates as a museum and a general store.
History and nature come together to meet the relaxation of boating and fishing in Moultonborough. Anglers often reel in rainbow trout and largemouth bass, whether casting from the shore or out on a boat. State's Landing and Lee's Mills are among the town's many boat ramps. Boating isn't just a summer activity, as the unique sport of ice sailing takes place on the lake's frozen surface in January through March.
The Loon Center, within the 200-acre Frederick and Paula Anna Markus Wildlife Sanctuary, is the headquarters of the Loon Preservation Committee. The area has walking trails and a gift shop. Brook Walk is a scenic and peaceful 1.8-mile walk along a trail that leads to seven waterfalls, including Whittier Falls and Twin Falls. It is located in the 5,500-acre Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area, a scenic area that includes the 1913 Lucknow Mansion, a restaurant, and nature exhibits.
Holderness
Rural and peaceful, the tranquil town of Holderness is set on the 6,791-acre Squam Lake and near Little Squam Lake. Its downtown area is lined with restaurants and shops. The White Mountain peaks set the backdrop for a peaceful scene on the water, where boating and fishing are top pastimes. Several small islands are found within the lake, and cabins bring a rustic touch to the shoreline.
Squam Lake served as the filming location for the 1981 movie On Golden Pond, starring Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, and Jane Fonda, with some scenes filmed in town. Private boat excursions with Experience Squam are an excellent way to explore filming locations around the lake. It's also a popular destination for swimming and fishing.
The town is ideal for hiking and sightseeing, too. West Rattlesnake Mountain's Old Bridal Path follows approximately 2.0 miles of easy to moderate terrain through hemlock and oak forests. At the summit, hikers are rewarded with views of Squam Lake and the surrounding mountains. Kirkwood Gardens, free to the public, is filled with a variety of colorful flowers and birds.
Newbury
Newbury’s setting at the south end of Lake Sunapee combines waterfront accessibility with year-round activities and a tight-knit community. The lake lifestyle is evident in the town’s restaurants on the water's edge and the abundance of sailboats and kayaks on the lake. The area also features a public dock and a gazebo that hosts concerts. An annual Craftsmen’s Fair, in operation since 1933, is a popular community event.
Quiet and peaceful, Newbury has ties to the railroad industry, dating back to its status as a summer hot spot in the late 1800s. The Newbury Cut, a tunnel blasted through solid granite around 1871, allowed trains to access the town. The site is distinguished by two 50-foot cliffs, located on either side of the former tracks, that are now used for rock climbing.
A popular year-round tourist destination, Newbury shares summer boating and fishing with winter skiing and snowboarding. Mount Sunapee Resort, located within Mount Sunapee State Park, has ski trails and an adventure park with a ropes course and miniature golf. The resort closes for the winter season in April, reopening soon after for the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The state park has a beach, a boat launch, and hiking trails.
Bristol
Part of the Lakes Region, Bristol lies at the southern tip of Newfound Lake and is enriched by nearby rivers that add to its lakeside character. The Newfound River flows through town, connecting Newfound Lake to the Pemigewasset River and provide easy access to the area’s waterfront beauty. Incorporated in 1819, Bristol blends a rural setting with the charm of a small town. In the town's Central Square you'll find shops and restaurants alongside historic brick buildings.
Bristol, a four-season hub, shares warm-weather lake activities with wintertime sports. Newfound Lake’s clear spring-fed waters offer boating and beach access at Wellington State Park. Profile Falls, on the Smith River, is an easy 0.3-mile hike to a small waterfall and picnic areas. The 135-acre Slim Baker Conservation Area, on Little Roundtop Mountain, is a popular place for snowshoeing, hiking, and camping.
Barnstead
Barnstead, south of the Lakes Region, is a relaxed setting that combines a residential vibe with four seasons of outdoor entertainment amond the scenic beauty of woodlands and farm fields. The town is situated on Locke Lake and Half Moon Lake. The historic downtown has colonial-style houses in Barnstead Parade, a 1.3-acre area designated for community events like the seasonal Barnstead Farmers’ Market.
The nearby Suncook Lakes, comprised of the 402-acre Upper Suncook and the 295-acre Lower Suncook, are connected by a channel with a bridge and add even more waterfront options to the mix. Upper Suncook has a beach and a boat launch. Warm-weather kayaking and cold-weather ice fishing ensure a year-round schedule of enjoyment and leisure options. After a day of lakefront activities, The Old Barnstead Country Store is a convenience store with a small restaurant, the Back Door Grill, which hosts live music.
Wolfeboro
Often called the Oldest Summer Resort in America, Wolfeboro has been a quiet hub for boating on Lake Winnipesaukee since the 1800s. Downtown is walkable, with restaurants, shops, and town docks along a historic lakeside setting. The waterfront Cate Park holds summer concerts at the bandstand. Sightseeing and historic mail boat cruises aboard the M/S Mount Washington are excellent ways to enjoy the scenery.
The outdoor lifestyle leads the way in Wolfeboro. Brewster Beach, on Winnipesaukee’s Wolfeboro Bay, is a sandy spot for swimming and relaxing. It has restrooms and picnic areas. The 12-mile Cotton Valley Rail Trail is a series of multi-use trails, paved and unpaved, that run through Wolfeboro, Brookfield, and Wakefield, leading past wetlands and wooded areas.
Freedom
Freedom is distinguished by its small-town vibe, Ossipee Lake location, and accessibility to leisure activities among the natural beauty of the White Mountains. A small walkable town center brings in the nostalgia of white picket fences and traditional New England clapboard architecture, along with a historic 1902 bandstand. Visitors will find ice cream shops, antique stores, and a local winery.
A four-season town, ice fishing and cross-country skiing are popular in winter, while boating and scenic hiking trails take over in the summer, spring, and fall. The town is home to lakefront summer camps at Camp Cody and Camp Huckins. Nearby, the Jackman Ridge Trail is a 2.1-mile out-and-back wooded hiking trail that leads to views of Ossipee Lake and the Ossipee Pine Barrens Preserve.
Pittsburg
New Hampshire’s northernmost town, Pittsburg is located near the Canadian border in the Great North Woods along First Connecticut Lake. Small and peaceful, the downtown area provides services for outdoor enthusiasts, including gear shops and restaurants. There's a boat ramp and picnic areas along the lake. Top activities include snowmobiling and fishing for trout and landlocked salmon.
With a logging history, Pittsburg shares a rugged atmosphere, a wide variety of outdoor activities, and opportunities to spot loons and moose. Magalloway Mountain has a fairly easy 1.9-mile loop trail that leads to a fire tower where you can see panoramic views of the Connecticut Lakes region. Lake Francis State Park, set along the shores of Lake Francis, has campsites, boating, and kayaking access, as well as ATV trails.
From Lake to Shining Lake
These lakeside towns boast a healthy dose of natural beauty and year-round recreation on some of the most beautiful lakes in New Hampshire. Not just fair-weather friends, tourism rolls in from summer boating into winter with ice-fishing and snowmobiling. Wolfeboro’s walkable downtown centers on town docks, waterfront restaurants, and parks that host summer concerts, while Newfound Lake has access to outdoor recreation at Wellington State Park. The large Lake Winnipesaukee offers extensive waterfront access in the form of town docks, public boat ramps, and boardwalk piers. Meanwhile, the smaller Ossipee Lake is known for summer camps and a historic town center. They all share the community spirit of small-town living with the scenic beaches and waterfront access of a lakeside address.
