Posts in category 'New Hampshire Lifestyle'

[caption id="attachment_5271" align="alignnone" width="700"] A commitment to sustainable agriculture and locally-produced foods makes Moulton Farms in Meredith a top locavore destination in the Lakes Region.[/caption] Quaint, picturesque, tranquil—that's often how small towns in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire are described. But take "the road less traveled," as poet Robert Frost suggested, and you'll uncover trend-setting food suppliers that make the area a locavore's delight. Fresh, locally-produced foods are abundant in the Lakes Region. Join the movement and explore these four locavore destinations around Lake Winnipesaukee.

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As the most delicious way to support local dairy farmers, ice cream in Central New Hampshire is a big deal. We've picked three of the best ice cream stands in Central NH that you won't want to skip this summer!

Sawyer's Dairy Bar, Gilford

Sawyer's has been making its ice cream in-house for over 70 years. Despite this long tenure, there's always something new for Gilford residents to try. Sawyer's offers a huge variety of flavors that get changed up on a weekly basis. Like many Central New Hampshire ice cream stands, Sawyer's also has a robust full food menu with everything from lobster rolls to cheeseburgers.

Jordan's Ice Creamery, Belmont

Like Saw...

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Those people who are lucky enough to visit the Lakes Region in New Hampshire should be certain to rent a canoe while they're there. For the uninitiated, this may seem like a given. After all, it's called the Lakes Region. There is so much for visitors to do—or to not do if that's their choice—that getting on the water is not always something people remember to fit in. Being on the water is a great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery, no matter what lake you're on. It's even better when you launch your craft from your own waterfront home on Lake Winnipesaukee or the Lakes Region.

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  I took a walk through downtown Meredith recently and enjoyed viewing all the sculptures along Lake Winnipesaukee. As long-time area residents, sometimes we take a few things for granted. This was one of those times. I realized, though, that visitors to our area may wonder what is going on. So here is the info on this great program.   The sculptures are part of the Greater Meredith Program called the Meredith Sculpture Walk. This is a year-round juried exhibition featuring Northeast artists. There are 36 individual sculptures for your visual enjoyment and they are on display all year. You can view these pieces of art beginning at the Sunshine and Pa's restaurant at 11 Main Street in Meredith. Head down Main Street to the park and...

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by Joy Moore, Angela Spencer, and Nikki Barrett Littleton, NH is a bustling North Country town situated just north of Franconia Notch. The area attracts a lot of tourism here in the Western White Mountains.

Community Events and Activities

Littleton proactively pursues tourists and there are a number of great events sponsored by a number of civic groups and the Chamber of Commerce. Littleton events include an annual art show, a classic car show, a pie festival every fall, a Halloween celebration that lights up the Ammonusuc River with Jack O'Lanterns, and a children's Halloween party and a zombie walk along Main Street. In the spring and summer, residents flock to the Easter Egg hunt sponsored by Littleton Parks and Recreation and community events like book fairs and Fourth of July fireworks. Boasting a variety of winter activities, Littleton even has a snow machine trail through the heart of town that offers a "pull off"  for the Little Grille Restaurant at the former Littleton railroad station. The Littleton Bike Shop offers a weekly community bike ride through Littleton and neighboring towns. Tucked in below Main Street sits Littleton Art Studio School. The school offers classes for all ages in pottery, jewelry making, metal art, mixed media, basket weaving, and private classes and parties.

Shopping and Restaurant Options

Among the eclectic shops on and near Main Street is Chutter's General Store. This locally owned shop hosts the longest candy counter in the world and is in the Guinness Book of World Records. They have great homemade fudge and other chocolate delights. The Riverwalk sits just behind Main Street and along the Ammonusuc River. Tourists and locals can stroll through the covered bridge and down the walking path with the river running alongside. [caption id="attachment_2927" align="alignright" width="300"] Schilling Beer Co[/caption] There are many dining options in Littleton. There are chain restaurants like the 99 and Applebee's but also a collection of locally owned options such as Brazilian BBQ at the Little Grille, the Martini Bar of Bailiwicks, wood-fired pizza and a microbrewery at Schillings, authentic Thai food at Chang Thai, and the lovely soups, sandwiches, and to-die-for desserts of The French Sisters. Mexican from Alburrito's, fine dining at the Beal House Inn, The Littleton Diner, and Porfido's Deli that offers a great selection of meats.

Thriving Recreational and Business Areas

Aside from downtown Littleton, there are a number of other Littleton attractions. These include, but are not limited to, six public boat launches into the Connecticut River. The Moore Dam Reservoir that covered another town called Pattenville in the 1950s giving the Littleton area this marvelous recreation area today. The body of water allows sailing, swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, even some parachute ice skating in winter. Each summer the reservoir is host to a fishing derby where trout, perch, salmon, northern pike, and bass can be caught for prizes. It also was a host of an international boating regatta in years past. Remich Park with tall pines and period gazebo, features walking paths, baseball and field hockey/soccer fields, basketball court, ice rink & town swimming pool. They were even named as one of the best sledding hills in NH.  You can rent tubes and slides for just dollars and skates for .50.  They have a summer program for kids that hosts weekly field trips to fun places like Whale's Tale, Story Land, Squam Lakes Science Center, the Montshire Museum and other great attractions. The Littleton Industrial Development Committee exists in order to bring new business to the area.  They were key in the development of the present industrial park which hosts Tender Corp (makers of AfterBite, Ben's 100, Adventure Medical Kits), Littleton Coin Company, Fedex, Schwan's Sales Inc., Burndy, Rotobec, Genfoot America (makers of Kamik boots), Secured Network Systems, Harrison Publishing Co., and more. [caption id="attachment_2929" align="alignleft" width="300"] Littleton Historical Society[/caption]

A Flourishing Arts Scene

The renovated Littleton Opera House stands centrally in Littleton and acts as a meeting place for residents, host for traveling plays and musicians as well as wrestling events or craft fairs, you can even rent it for your own private event like birthday parties, (Bette Davis did) and is a stop along the way for most national political candidates. Downstairs in the Opera House is the Littleton Historical Center, which is run by volunteers who are always willing to answer questions or chat for a bit. It's well worth a visit. [caption id="attachment_2930" align="alignright" width="300"] Thayers Inn[/caption] Littleton features the oldest motel in the country with the Littleton Motel, to the famous Thayers Inn that has hosted presidents and of course Bette Davis. And the Hampton Inn that has direct snowmobile access is a favorite for visitors Each year the area businesses sponsor seasonally breathtaking flowering baskets that by the end of the season cascade down to the sidewalk to beautiful mums and tasteful wreaths.  They also sponsor the local art displays of colorful umbrellas about town. Then there is the really wonderful Piano and Guitar project with about six pianos that are set up right on the main street for anyone to play as they pass by.  It's wonderful to see small children to adults playing in varying degrees of skill. The pianos are all uniquely hand painted in colorful eye catching designs.

A Central Location

Littleton is within 20 to 40 minutes of Weathervane Theater in Whitefield, Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury, Rialto Theatre in Lancaster, Colonial Theater in Bethlehem, The Flying Monkey in Plymouth, and Jeans Playhouse in Lincoln. And Littleton is the home of the Jax Jr Theater that hosted a Hollywood premier of the Bette Davis-starring film "The Great Lie" on her birthday on April 4, 1941. This modern theatre has a state of the art sound and projection system, and is a great spot to catch a current movie with matinees and more. [caption id="attachment_2931" align="alignright" width="300"] Cannon Mountain Ski Area[/caption] Littleton is ideally located for those who love outdoor activities. Q Burke Mountain is 40 minutes away and has year-long fun with mountain biking in the summer and skiing in the winter. You can take your bike up the mountain on the chair lift and ride for miles and miles on the Kingdom Trail system. Other area ski areas within 40 minutes include Mt Eustis, Cannon Mountain, Loon Mountain, Waterville Valley, Attitash Mountain, Bretton Woods Resort, Lyndon Outing Club, Sunday River and more. Within 40 minutes there are  golf courses including Bethlehem Country club that offers a free summer golf program for area kids, Maplewood Country Club, Mt. Washington Resort Golf Courses, Wambek Golf Course, Kirby Country Club, St. Johnsbury Country Club (an old Scottish design sought out by golf enthusiasts, you'll want a cart), Blackmount Country Club, and the Mountain View Grand golf course. Littleton has been voted in the top 10 for best small town main streets, best towns to retire, best small towns for families and we're sure more accolades will follow! For more information about the wonderful town of Littleton, NH, contact a real estate agent at Peabody & Smith Realty. Meet Our Littleton Agents