Lake Winnipesaukee is one of those places where a review almost feels inadequate. We come up here…read moreevery year, and for me, this isn't simply a place I visit. My parents used to bring us here when I was growing up, so there is a lot of personal history tied to this lake. Coming back as an adult has that wonderful feeling of seeing a place you remember as a kid and realizing that the lake, the mountains, and the scenery are still just as beautiful.
Winnipesaukee is enormous, with more than 250 islands, miles of shoreline, countless coves, and mountains surrounding the water. The scenery changes constantly depending on where you are. One moment you're looking across a wide expanse of blue water toward the mountains, and the next you're tucked into a quiet cove surrounded by trees and summer homes. It is quintessential New Hampshire.
Summer is when the lake really comes alive. Boats are everywhere, from kayaks and paddleboards to fishing boats, sailboats, and speedboats. There are marinas, beaches, waterfront restaurants, docks, and plenty of places to get out on the water. The M/S Mount Washington cruising around the lake is one of those sights that never gets old. You can spend an entire day boating, swimming, exploring the islands, or simply sitting beside the water watching everyone else enjoy it.
The surrounding towns each add something different. Meredith has a beautiful waterfront and charming downtown, Wolfeboro has that classic New England summer-resort character, Alton Bay has its nostalgic lakeside atmosphere, and Laconia offers more shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Exploring the communities around the lake is part of the fun.
And then there are the mountains. Mount Major provides spectacular views over the lake, while the Belknap Range creates a beautiful backdrop from the shoreline and water. There are hiking trails, scenic roads, beaches, parks, and countless overlooks where you can stop and appreciate just how big and beautiful this place really is.
Fall might be my favorite season here. The forests surrounding the lake turn into a sea of red, orange, and yellow, and the cooler weather makes hiking and exploring especially enjoyable. The lake takes on a quieter personality after the summer crowds leave. Winter completely transforms the area, with ice fishing, snowmobiling, and other activities taking over when conditions permit. Even Alton Bay has its famous ice runway, where airplanes can land on the frozen lake when the ice is thick enough.
What I appreciate most is that Winnipesaukee never feels like just a tourist attraction. It feels like a real place with generations of history and families who return year after year. There are busy summer afternoons and quiet mornings when the water is almost completely still. There are enormous lake houses, old cottages, working marinas, little beaches, restaurants, and peaceful coves where you can feel completely removed from everything.
For me, though, the best part is the memories. As a kid, I didn't really understand why my parents kept bringing us back here. It was simply somewhere we went on vacation. Now I understand. They weren't just taking us to a lake. They were creating memories that would stay with me.
That's probably why coming back every year means so much. The towns have changed, the restaurants have changed, and I've certainly changed, but the lake is still here. The mountains are still on the horizon, the boats are still moving across the water, and there is still that unmistakable feeling of being somewhere special.
Lake Winnipesaukee is beautiful in every season, endlessly enjoyable, and filled with the kind of scenery and memories that make you want to return. We come back every year, and I can't imagine that changing anytime soon.
