New Hampshire Lakes Region

Lake Winnipesaukee towns certainly have one thing in common—the beautiful waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake. Long-time lake area residents know, however, that each lake town has its own personality and atmosphere. Are you researching towns and deciding where to buy? In this post, we're focusing on Meredith and Wolfeboro. In future posts, we'll present our short course what makes other Winni towns special.

Meredith

Meredith offers a lake-centric appeal three times over. The town borders Meredith Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee as well as Lake Waukewan and Lake Winnisquam. While the junction of Route 3 and Route 25 makes Meredith a busy and bustling summertime community, residents love Meredith for its variety of restaurants and other amenities and for the convenience of its downtown district.  In Meredith, you can tie up at the town docks and walk to get lunch and groceries. Mill Falls Marketplace did its part to revitalize Meredith's downtown district when it opened in 1984. What was once a dilapidated linen mill is now the site of a four-story marketplace housed inside a restored mill building. Today the complex includes four inns, a spa, restaurants, shops, and a waterfall, plus grand views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Among the many restaurants in Meredith, Town Docks is a community mainstay and summertime gathering place, the place to people watch as you dig into a lobster roll. Their homemade ice cream is a summer tradition for residents and visitors alike. History Note Settled in 1766 and incorporated in 1768, Meredith was named after Sir William Meredith, a British member of Parliament who never saw the 13 colonies but opposed colonial taxation. Trivia Tidbit A life-sized statue of comic strip character Archie sits on a bench in Community Park. The statue honors Bob Montana, who lived in Meredith and drew Archie Comics from 1942 to 1975. Community Amenity Spotlight In its sixth year in 2019, the Meredith Sculpture Walk places dozens of sculptures throughout downtown Meredith for residents to discover.

Wolfeboro

Wolfeboro's town motto is "The Oldest Summer Resort in America." The claim goes all the way back to the late 1700s when British colonial governor John Wentworth built the first summer country estate in northern New England. It wasn't until the end of the Civil War that Wolfeboro's tourism industry developed, however. Launched in 1872, the Wolfeboro Railroad brought tourists from Boston and points south. Generations of visitors have spent their summers in Wolfeboro. And for the town's full-time residents, life is a resort vacation all year round. Wolfeboro boasts a Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront lined with lakeside homes, the town's Carry Beach, and town docks and private marinas centered around Wolfeboro Bay. Route 109 marks the divide between Wolfeboro Bay and Back Bay and is also the location of the historic Wolfeboro Railroad Depot. History and tradition loom large in Wolfeboro's character. The town is home to the Wright Museum of World War II  and the New Hampshire Boat Museum. Wolfeboro's community theater, the Village Players, has been treading the boards since the 1930s. Life on the lake dominates Wolfeboro's personality, but the community offers land-based activities that residents treasure. There's the 12-mile Cotton Valley Rail Trail that begins in Wolfeboro and extends to Wakefield. The Sewall Woods Trail Network wanders around the Sewall Woods Conservation Area flanked by downtown, Jockey Cove, and Wolfeboro Bay. Headquartered just off Main Street, the Great Waters Music Festival stages summer music events at the Congregational Church, Kingswood Arts Center, Anderson Hall, and the Barn at the Inn on Main. History Note Scroll through Wolfeboro's storied past by viewing the Wolfeboro Public Libarary Postcard Archive. Trivia Tidbit Famous summer residents in Wolfeboro include former Massachusetts governor and current U.S. senator Mitt Romney. Princess Grace, Kurt Vonnegut, and Jimmy Fallon are among its celebrity visitors. Community Amenity Spotlight Kingswood Golf Club has been part of the Wolfeboro community since 1915. This semi-private course features a Donald Ross-designed 18-hole course.

"Wolfeboro Train Station" by Don Kasak is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

[caption id="attachment_5657" align="alignright" width="350"] Photo: New Hampshire Bank Pavilion house photographer Eric Hemphill Photography[/caption] With so many entertainment options in the Lake Winnipesaukee area, you may have trouble choosing just one. But while you're in the area searching for Lake Winnipesaukee real estate, be sure to pay a visit to Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater concert venue in Gilford that hosts some of the hottest names in country, rock, and pop music. The amphitheater, formerly known as Meadowbrook, seats about 9,000 and is located on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. It's regarded as one of New Hampshire's foremost venue for summer concerts and has earned 10 nominations as the Academy of Country Music's Music Venue of the Year. Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion is a great place to take the kids after a day of searching for your ideal New Hampshire lake house. Doors typically open around 5:30 PM with shows starting around 7. Little ones may be dozing toward the end of the show after a day of excitement, but that won't be a problem at this child-friendly venue. Kids younger than 2 get in free for general admission areas such as the lawn seating, or they can sit on your lap in the reserved seating areas. Coolers and outside food and drink aren't allowed at this venue, so bring some cash for the kids to grab some snacks. After browsing New Hamshire Waterfront Homes for Sale, consider a fun and relaxing evening enjoying live music with the kids at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion.

A lake home is one of the most peaceful and relaxing places to live. Central New Hampshire features some of the cleanest and most serene lakes around from Lake Winnipesaukee to Newfound Lake to Squam Lake. Whether you are looking for a vacation dream home or a year-round residence, there are plenty of gorgeous options for waterfront homes in New Hampshire. Here are seven things to consider when looking for a new lake home with your NH real estate agent.

1. Outdoor Living Spaces

Whether your home offers lake frontage or lake access, outdoor living spaces add to the enjoyment and value of your lake home. Decks, patios, and porches offer places to cook, dine, entertain, and relax. Look for outdoor living spaces with exterior lighting that adds to safety and extends the number of hours you can be outside.

2. A Fireplace

A must-have for any New Hampshire home, fireplaces add to the cozy charm of a lake house while heating up the rooms.

3. A Private Dock or Access to Dock or Boat Ramp

Homes with private docks offer space for boats and a golden opportunity to spread out and watch the sunset. No private dock and you own a boat? Look for homes with access to docks and boat ramps. Be sure to plot route and distance from the property to the water. It's also a good idea to check whether boat access points are private or public.

4.  Extra Bedrooms for Guests

Your lake home will attract friends and family. To ensure your privacy and give guests the space they need, look for lake homes with bedrooms you can designate for guests. A bedroom with a private bathroom becomes a guest suite. Add a couple of luggage racks and a stock of extra towels.

5. Access to Necessities Like Medical Care, Grocery Stores, Restaurants

Think about the practical side of owning a lake house. As you look at properties, take note of locations for the nearest hospital, grocery store, pharmacy, and hardware store. Do online research or drive around the area to explore restaurants and other community amenities.

6. Large Windows to Enjoy the View

Nothing compares to the breathtaking views seen from New Hampshire lake homes. Large windows throughout the house help showcase the lake.

7. A Garage, Shed, or Boathouse

The New Hampshire boating lifestyle comes with a lot of equipment from boat trailers to life jackets. You'll need a garage for vehicles, plus a boathouse or shed for boating gear and equipment.

For more information on New Hampshire waterfront real estate,  please contact us today and speak with a NH real estate agent.

[caption id="attachment_5212" align="alignnone" width="700"] Squam Lake[/caption]

• Holderness is a rural town consisting of about 2,000 residents. It is bordered by Ashland, NH to the south, Plymouth, NH to the west, Center Harbor, NH to the east and Campton, NH to the north.

• The movie "On Golden Pond" was filmed on Squam Lake in 1981. The movie featured the actors Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and Jane Fonda.
• Holderness is home to the Squam Lake Science Center. The Science Center attract visitors both young and old and features indigenous wildlife like Black Bears, Bobcats, Deer, Mountain Lions and Bald Eagles. They also offer guided boat tours of Squam Lake, touching on topics of nature and local history.
• Holderness is home to the Holderness School, a private institution established in 1879.
• The town of Holderness cannot be discussed without speaking about the Squam Lakes. Big Squam Lake is New Hampshire's second largest lake, boasting 61 miles of shoreline and 67 islands.
• A unique feature of the Squam Lakes region is the amount of conserved land in the area. Organizations such as the Squam Lakes Association and Squam Lakes Conservation Society are hard at work protecting the natural beauty of the region.
• Big Squam Lake is home to Chocorua Island or better known as Church Island. Chocurua Island is the site of America's first resident boy's summer camp in 1881. Today you can visit the island for church services on Sunday mornings in the summer, and also plan your wedding in either June or September.
• Established in 1887 as a family resort on Squam Lake, Rockywold-Deephaven Camp  offers rustic and vintage charm with its selection of cabins. The camp is designed as a true getaway from day-to-day life. Ice is harvested from the lake in winter to use in the ice chests in the summer.
• Walking and hiking points of interest in the area include Five Finger Point which is owned by UNH, Rattlesnake Mountain, Mount Percival, Eagle Cliffs, and Chamberlin-Reynolds Natural Area.
• One of my favorite activities in the summer is to camp out on Moon & Bowman Island on Big Squam Lake. Owned by the SLA, these islands are uninhabited and offer only a few spread out campsites on each. A must for anyone!

Learn more about Jerrod. 

"Squam Lake" by Marc Nozell is licensed under CC BY 2.0

All of us at Peabody & Smith Realty want to say "thank you" to everyone who helped make the Grand Opening at our Meredith office such a wonderful success! We entertained 60+ members of the greater Meredith community, and had a great time meeting everyone! We wanted to take a moment here to offer a few notes of thanks to the following! Thank you  to Lori Harding at Phoenix Title for some of the hors d'oeuvres and refreshments! We had beautiful art work hung throughout the whole building and we thank Vinnie Hale at VynnArt Gallery for all the art that is on display in the office. It looks wonderful, and is a great opportunity for us to help promote the work of our local artisans. Our floral cupcakes were prepared by Henny B's Cakes & Cupcakes – they not only looked great, but were delicious! A big thank you to Shaun Terhune of Shaun Terhune Photography for capturing the joy of the evening and the event. We are so proud to be a part of the Meredith Chamber of Commerce, and we thank Sue Cerutti and Chamber President Wendy Bagley and the Chamber staff for helping to organize, attend and promoting the Grand Opening! In addition, a big thank you to our staff who set up, cleaned up, organized and much more! But most of all, thank you for everyone who attended! We are pleased to be part of Meredith and the Lakes Region and look forward to assisting real estate sellers and buyers in our newest location in Meredith! [gallery columns="9" ids="4258,4259,4260,4261,4262,4263,4264,4265,4266,4267,4268,4269,4270,4271,4272,4273,4274,4275,4276,4277,4278,4279,4280,4281,4282,4283,4284,4285,4286,4287,4288,4289,4290,4291,4292,4293,4294,4295,4296,4297,4298,4299,4300,4301,4302,4303,4304"]  

  Squam Lake is nestled in the breathtaking Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Originally called Keeseenunknipee—the goose lake in the highlands—the lake's name was changed to Asquam and then shortened to Squam. The tranquil shores and picturesque beauty of Squam Lake was the site of the 1981 feature film "On Golden Pond," starring Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda. Whether for a week or a lifetime, Squam Lake is the perfect place to call home.  

Location

Located just south of the White Mountains, Squam Lake stretches across Grafton, Carroll, and Belknap Counties, and is northwest of the larger Lake Winnipesaukee. Squam Lake is the second largest lake in the state of New Hampshire and covers 6,791 acres.  

Geography

Squam Lake has approximately 30 named islands. The largest on the lake is Chocorura Island or Church Island. Church Island is the site of the country's first resident boys' summer camp, started in 1881. Some popular destinations for hiking and walking around the Squam Lake include Five Finger Point, Rattle Snake Mountain, Eagle Cliffs, and Chamber-Reynolds Natural Area. The lake is home to a variety of fish and waterfowl, including the loon, the great blue heron, bald eagle, rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, lake trout, whitefish, and largemouth bass. Both birders and fishing enthusiasts are drawn to Squam Lake.

Towns

The towns of Ashland, Holderness, Center Harbor, Sandwich, and Moultonborough are all located on Squam Lake. Holderness is the largest and is home to the Squam Lake Natural Science Center. The science center attracts visitors and locals year-round and features exhibits about the area's indigenous wildlife, such as the black bear, bobcat, deer, mountain lions, and bald eagles. Pick up a guided boat tour at the Squam Lake Natural Science Center to learn even more about the nature and local history of the area.

Recreation

The Squam Lake Association offers recreation activities for all tastes and budgets. Rent a canoe, kayak, or paddle board, hike a trail or rent a weekly campsite to get close up and personal with area beauty. And if getting away from it all is your idea of the perfect vacation, check out Bowman Island. This tiny, 23-acre island has rustic campsites for an unplugged retreat where you can watch the biggest screen of all—a star-studded night sky.

Squam Lake Real Estate

Squam Lake real estate options offer homes for year-round living or investment property with breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Browse our Squam Lake waterfront properties and visualize living on the shores of New Hampshire's iconic Golden Pond. To find out more about all Squam Lake has to offer, contact us today!

As an established real estate agent who has specialized on Squam Lake in NH for a large part of my career, every now and again we see something that just surprises and amazes us - and it happened this past week! Last Sunday, I was visiting with some friends on their screen porch and enjoying the peace and quiet of Bean Cove on Squam. It's a special place and the only sound we could hear were the songs of the two Loons sitting and fishing in front of the lodge. But then, out of nowhere, a bald eagle swooped down to get his share of the fish. What an incredible sight to witness! I was telling another friend, that in all my time on Squam, I have never seen a Bald Eagle, and certainly not one fishing! Squam Lake - full of wonder & beauty! [caption id="attachment_3724" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A bald eagle soars over Five Finger Point on Squam Lake, New Hampshire //Flickr[/caption]   If you ever want to explore the lake and learn more, give us a call - any of our Central NH offices can help you! Although I can't promise we'll see the Bald Eagle again!    -Dana Armstrong, Peabody & Smith Realty

As the days continue to grow shorter, the brilliant fall foliage has since faded and fallen. The first blanket of snow is still a few weeks away, but the white capped peaks at the higher elevations serve as a reminder that winter awaits. It is a quiet time in this part of New Hampshire, but that doesn't mean that there aren't numerous activities available for most everyone!

Ray Newton tells us more!

  November can be an excellent time for a short day hike. Rattlesnake Mountain in Holderness is a favorite in the summer, but this time of year, you will miss the crowds and have the trail to yourself. It is a short, relatively easy hike, about an hour round trip. At the top, you will be rewarded with a spectacular southerly view across Squam Lake and beyond. This is the one hike in New Hampshire that has the greatest payoff for the least effort! Other great short, day hikes in the area are Plymouth Mountain in Plymouth and Stinson Mountain in Rumney. The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness has ongoing events and educational programs throughout the year.  For a list of events, check the web site at: http://www.nhnature.org/ Plymouth State University in Plymouth offers a host of cultural and athletic events open to the public. The Karl Drerup Art Gallery, located right on campus is an excellent way to spend an autumn afternoon. Take in a theatrical performance or a concert at The Silver Center for the Arts. For more information on events at the University, visit their web site at: http://www.plymouth.edu/. [caption id="attachment_3302" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Flying Monkey in Plymouth NH[/caption] For dinner and a show, The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center in Plymouth will be sure to provide a memorable night out. Reserve your table and enjoy your meal while enjoying a live performance of nationally recognized popular musicians and recording artists. A complete schedule is available at: http://www.flyingmonkeynh.com/ And for you skiers that just can't wait for winter, you may want to check out the Annual Plymouth Ski and Skate Sale on Nov. 20-21. Located at the Plymouth Elementary School Gymnasium. So if you think that this quiet time of year has less to offer in Holderness and Plymouth, I urge you to think again! Art, entertainment, or the great outdoors, we have it all. Read more about Ray Newton here. 

Looking to purchase one of the Squam Lake homes for sale? From arts and culture to exercise and canoeing, there's no shortage of ways to spend a summer on Squam, but follow this list of do's and don'ts to make your summer one to remember: Do: Take a Hike By buying Squam Lake real estate, you'll have easy access to some of the most beautiful sights in New England. Whether you seek to get in touch with nature, exercise more, or simply experience a different view, you'll love hiking or jogging through the Bridle Path Trailhead, Chamberlin-Reynolds National Forest, and other nature trails. Don't: Disturb the Wildlife Squam Lake is home to rare birds, fish, moose, turtles, and other wildlife, and while it's great to watch these animals from afar, don't disturb them. The lake has suffered environmental damage over the past century, and while threatened species like the Bald Eagle and the Common Loon have recovered, their position is still precarious. You can watch and appreciate these animals all you want, but keep your distance and follow conservation laws. Do: Go on a Boat Tour Boating through the lake is great exercise and it exposes you to beautiful views, allowing you to see local wildlife from a new perspective. Organizations like the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and Experience Squam offer daily and hourly boat rentals as well as group boat tours of the area. Whether by kayak, canoe, or sailboat, there's no better way to experience Squam Lake's natural beauty than from the water. Don't: Ignore the Culture Though often praised for its natural attractions, Squam Lake also has a vibrant culture, with galleries, theatrical performances, concerts, and a wide range of other attractions for visitors and residents alike.

Feel free to talk to one of our experienced Squam Lake real estate agents for more information on attractions in the area.

When you're considering camping on the New Hampshire waterfront in the lakes region this summer, there are some things to keep in mind to make your experience a fabulous one. Here are a few considerations for your Summer 2015 camping trips: 1.) What are your family's expectations? Do they want the privacy afforded by your own property on Squam Lake, Stinson Lake, or Lake Winnipesaukee, or the opportunity to meet other people at a public campground? Plan according so that all members of your party feel comfortable. 2.) Have you planned for sleeping, eating and living in the outdoors? Camping means bugs, animals and birds, whether for good or for bad. It also means roughing it with limited running water and electricity. 3.) How rough are you planning on camping? Some people visualize camping as stringing up a tent hammock between a couple trees, filtering their own water on site and eating what nature provides. Other people want a nice piece of real estate with a climate-controlled cabin and all the amenities. Know what's expected to avoid disappointment! 4.) Be prepared. Being away from it all means you're away from it all, including medical care, the grocery store and other amenities. Think through your vacation one step at a time so you know what you may otherwise forget. Don't be afraid to improvise, but don't improvise everything! 5.) Set up a media policy. Do electronics need to be left entirely at home or are they okay for a limited part of the day? You'll want to at least keep a cell phone with you to meet emergency needs. For more information on finding the perfect home on the New Hampshire waterfront, please contact Peabody & Smith today! We're always happy to help.