This is a really nice outing if you live in the area and have house guests, or even if you just…read morewant to enjoy a day outside but don't feel like lifting a finger. I've gone twice (afternoon cruises) and chosen the upper deck both times. If you or any of your guests have mobility concerns, be aware that there is a small and very narrow set of stairs to the top deck and patrons seem to rush to select their chairs. During boarding and disembarking is when the boat rocks the most, so be careful! Seating is first come first serve, and the seats are hard plastic folding chairs (i.e. no padding, which makes sense in case they get wet), but both times I've gone, the weather and the lake were calm and the ride was very smooth. Chairs are arranged in rows like a theater, so if you go with a date, you can't pair off from the crowd if that's what you are hoping. This is very much a family and friends type of outing. The captain narrates intermittently via speakers in an informative and sometimes humorous way, and it isn't at all obtrusive to conversation. Everyone politely stops talking to listen rather than trying to shout over the interesting details being shared, and now you have a new topic to discuss! People vacationing or living along the lakeshore wave cheerfully from their piers, decks, and yards as the boat cruises by, which adds an element of local charm to the outing. I haven't partaken of their packaged snacks, limited selection of mixed drinks, or beer, but all are available from the deck below. If you do go down the stairs to get something and are alone, you may lose your seat, as people are allowed to change locations throughout the ride, but no one is permitted to stand on the upper deck as a matter of safety (unless of course actively moving from one place to another). You can buy tickets at the boat or online, and there are discounts for AAA members and senior citizens. There is a famed ice cream shack near the boat launch that I haven't yet tried but reviews here on Yelp! are stellar.

Beautiful cruise around the harbor. Spanning 10 miles. Round trip 2 hours w dinner. Pricing is…read morereasonable. Reservations recommended. This was my 3rd or 4rth trip. Food is very good not great. Buffet. Full liquor bar. This time around the dishes were filthy w caked on food. I cycled through about 6 plates before I found an acceptable one. Someone serves the roastbeef and it was barely luke warm because it was not over heat. Dessert is grocery store like cake. I believe I am done with further dinner cruises here but would go back for the noon cruise.

Lake Runnemede was once a privately owned lake which was donated to the town at some point. It is…read moreadjacent to Paradise Park, so you can take quite a little hike if that's your preferred activity. I personally like to take the Zig Zag trail up. You can't quite walk the entire way around the lake, but you can climb the hill and take a short walk to the entrance just past the legion. There is a gazebo to relax in across from the popular access point (near price chopper.) there are benches to sit and relax along the bank too. If you're taking kids fishing, the sunfish will be literally NONSTOP- so it keeps fishing exciting for kids but obnoxious for grown fishermen. No boats or swimming is allowed in this lake (if you need to swim, head to Kennedy Pond!) Do NOT drive down the driveway, it's not allowed for anyone for any reason (unless you live on the road.) Also be aware of the "no parking between signs" because the fire department requires access at all times and you WILL be ticketed if you choose to ignore the signs. There's plenty of parking, don't be that guy!

Lake Runnemede, or Everett's Pond, as the locals call it is a aquatic gem in the heart of Windsor,…read moreas well as part of Paradise Park. Once privately owned by the Everett's family, it is now co-owned by the Town of Windsor and a local conservation organization. The lake is mostly for visual beauty and wildlife, as much all recreation is off limits. Not boats or swimming is allowed. I believe fishing may be off limits too now, but I used to fish here all the time. (The lake has huge carp, bass, and pickerel, and other crap fish). Access to the lake is from a path across the street from Price Chopper. Another is on State Street which is a walk in- only access road across from the School. More hiking paths as well from Paradise Park.

We had a fun day on Lake Winnesquam! Although still busy on a beautiful summer day, it's calmer…read morethan it's more famous, much larger, similarly named lake neighbor. NH fish and wild life have two boat launches onto a short river, right near the mouth of the lake. The ramps and a staging area to wait your turn are down a short drive, past parking. On the weekend, a 'lake host' is on hand to see that everything runs smoothly. There is no large sign telling you where the ramp is. On our visit, a small, wooden, hand painted 'Boat launch' sign had been nailed to a fence post. The entrance is two way traffic. A large NH Fish and Wildlife information board is in the staging area of the parking lot. If you are fishing, be sure to go onto the NH fish and wildlife website to get your license. Parking is for trailered vehicles only. A couple of spot, nearest the ramp are reserved for handicapped vehicles towing a trailer plus one for a handicapped van without trailer. Parking over flow for vehicles with trailers and all of those without, is on either side of Water Street. When we departed around 4pm, there were parking spots available in the lot. If you want to be sure you can park in the lot I recommend either an early arrival or after the early birds leave, later in the day. There are three porta-a-johns in the parking area, nearby the ramps, including one handicapped accessible model. On either side of the ramps is a dock where you can load and unload passengers and supplies. Head east (south?) on the river to access the lake. This is a 'no wake' area. Once out on the lake there are a couple of sandbars where boaters had anchored and were playing games. There are shallow area of the lake and a couple of public beaches where you can anchor and swim in. A few boaters had floating mats and were anchored out in the lake. Besides boats, there are a number of personal watercraft. Many boaters were waterskiing and tubing, so keep an eye out for fallen swimmers! There are also a fair number of fishermen (fisherpeople?) all around the lake in 'no wake' areas or close to shore. Definitely large enough to enjoy a day on the lake. The boats here are smaller than on other, larger lakes, so a smaller wake to deal with. There are rental properties around the lake if you want to stay nearby and watercraft rentals are available in the area. There is one marina on the lake for your fuel needs.

This was a great relaxing cruise on Lake Squam. Tour guide was quite knowledgeable about the area…read moreand had lots of stories, including about the filming of On Golden Pond. Beautiful place.

My husband and I took the picturesque loon cruise with Captain David and Tiffany. We had a great…read moretime! We saw 2 nests with a loon hopefully incubating their eggs as well as 2 different families of loons with their chicks. We also came across a Common Merganser with her chicks resting on a rock. David keeps the ride smooth and Tiffany was a wealth of information! I love what they are doing to protect these beautiful birds! We would definitely return.

Wow! What a wonderful trip. Would like to disagree with the previous reviewer. My daughter and I…read morewho live in Cancun, Mexico had the best time ever. We are already planning our trip with North Star Canoes for next summer. Everything was fully explained to us and various sights to see were pointed out on the map installed in the barn. We were shuttled to the landing and took our kayaks down the river, under the covered bridge. We stopped on one of the islands, ate our lunch, saw turtles, eagles nesting. It was the most relaxing trip ever. We paddled between Vermont and New Hampshire with great views of Mt. Ascutney on the Vermont side. I would suggest sunblock, sunglasses and a hat.

Very thorough and competent staff. They had the canoes we needed, paddles and floatation vests all…read moreready for my church group loaded and ready upon our arrival. Ben was friendly and knowledgeable, getting us to our launch point and unloaded. Not a single problem or glitch. We had a great time, and even the weather cooperated!

Nice little beach at the south end of Newfound Lake…read more This beach is maybe 500 yards long, and anywhere from 2 to 20 feet wide. It's got nice white sand, especially for a fresh water lake. There are parallel parking spots along the left side of (one way) Shore Drive. No bathrooms or lifeguard, but it's free - unlike the state park at the north end. There is one decent restaurant across the street, named The Big Catch, and they do have bathrooms. The water is crystal clear, as Newfound is one of the ten cleanest bodies of fresh water in the world. And you can't beat the views of the mountains.

The Kidder Brook Trail is a 1.2 mile one-way or a 2.4 mile round trip through some pristine water…read morescenery. It is both, one of the most popular and also one of the most beautiful trails in the New London area. The trail is managed by the New London Conservation Commission. From the parking area at the bridge on Twin Lake Villa Road, it crosses a stone bridge and ascends 230 feet along Kidder Brook with amazing views of the flowing brook, rushing water, water falls, and views, culminating in a beautiful lake. A camera, either a stand alone or a smartphone, is a must have to capture this trail. Numerous brook scenes with flowing water, gorgeous mature pine forest scenes, and granite formations are part of the trail. This trail also crosses several other trails including the Sunapee, Ragged and Kearsarge Greenway, a magnificent, multi day trail. It also crosses and can join with the Morgan Pond Trail A must see in the area.

We just stopped off so I could get to view so many trees in all their Autumn splendor…read more Cheri was kind enough to gather these beautiful leaves, but unfortunately the Wax Paper trick didn't work so I was unable to preserve them.

We went for a little family fun with three families. It was a great time. The water was very clean!…read moreBathrooms were clean. We will be going back!