Deciding on a summer vacation...

ghfromaltonbay · 01-16-2005, 09:34 PM

There is a book still available thru Amazon entitled "25 Walks in the Lakes Reg on" by Paul Blaisdell which gives some great hikes ranging from easy to moderate. The book is great because it tell you the degree of difficulty for each walk as well as directions, parking instructions and a great description of the trails and the vistas provided by each walk. If you visit www.visitnh.gov you can order a neat vacation guide with pictures of each of the regions in NH as well as guides to restaurants, lodging, and places of interest.

I you and the kids are interested in trains there are several scenic railroads in the area as well as a model train exhibit with hands on activities for children at the Klickety Klack Railroad in Wolfeboro Falls. There are usually 5 or 6 trains in a great set up and there are controls for the children to run them. This place was always a favorite with my nephews when they were elementary school age.

The Science Center in Holderness is also a great spot for nature study and animal exhibits. There are also several miniature golf and go-kart places as well as great places to go just for an ice cream such as the Kellerhaus in Weirs (an ice cream buffet). If you would like a list of good, kid friendly and casual dining spots, let us know. There are lots of great spots around the lake. A ride on the Mt. Washington (an approx. 3.5 hour tour) on a 230 foot boat gives you a good tour of the lake and its islands with a very informative commentary along the way. There is also a really neat general store that has been in business over 200 years in Moultonborough. It has penny candy, pickle barrels, and all kinds of neat stuff.

Most of these places can be viewed via the links in this website.

I think you'll enjoy the area no matter what your family's interests are. I've been at the lake each summer since 1959 and always find something new and fun to do.

sorourke · 01-16-2005, 11:07 PM

Thanks again. We've requested the vacation guide from visitnh.com and we're looking forward to gettting it. The hikes books sounds interesting as well.

All your suggestions sound good. As for the kid friendly place websites, those would be great! Please send them along or post them here.

Much appreciated, all!

glennsteely · 01-17-2005, 12:31 PM

My family has been Lake bound for generations, and we are an hour from the Jersey shore also. There is no comparison of the two different places.....first and foremost, the people. Next is the scenery. And last is the water quality. Your kids will love it, they all do, and people on the forum are correct, after you go, you wont want to leave. I think out of your choices, you are making the right one........

camp guy · 01-17-2005, 01:34 PM

I won't rehash the earlier threads, but I do agree with the point that Carry Beach on Forest Road in Wolfeboro is a great spot. It has life guards, bathrooms, ample parking, and is very family friendly. With children at the ages of yours, you will have to make your own fun. They are still a couple of years shy of being able to have fun climbing or touring. So, to this point, you might consider renting a pontoon boat, maybe 22', with port-a-potty, grill, and cooler space. This gives you the chance to cruise the Lake looking at what you want, while the little ones have space to play and sleep. Also, you can anchor right at Carry Beach with one of these. Just north of the Lakes region there are some attractions, Story Land, etc., which would be of interest to your children. Good Luck to You in your quest, but, as mentioned earlier, act soon, summer isn't that far away in the rental world.

robjnh · 01-17-2005, 02:36 PM

We have a place on Lake Winnisquam in Meredith. Our communnity is called Waldron Bay and IMO we have one of the nicest beaches around. I know perferred porperties has at least one house in the development the rent by the week (no this is not an add for my place, we don't rent. www.steveweeks.com also has a lot of rentals in the area.

We have a 6,4, and 3 week old and love the area. Again IMO Winnisquam is a little less crowded if you want to rent a boat. I think you may find the rental prices a little better as well. What ever you choose, I am sure you will be back. Good Luck.

Mr Port Jefferson · 01-17-2005, 02:56 PM

As you can see from my name I live in Port Jefferson, Long Island - right on the Long Island Sound - I have been vacationing on the Lake for over 40 years. We rent a condo (alot of the old resorts have gone condo) in Gilford, near the Weirs and central to alot of resturants and activities. We rent at Yacht Club Vista - which is the old Saunders Bay Motel and Cottages. It is on the main road - Rt 11B - next to Misty Harbor.
I am sure that any Real Estate Agent that deals with rentals would be aware of it. We will be there the end of August.

If you are looking for more info etc. e-mail me at MrPortJeff@aol.com

01-16-2005, 09:34 PM	#1
ghfromaltonbay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clifton, NJ, Alton Bay Posts: 832 Thanks: 256 Thanked 225 Times in 131 Posts	Hiking in the Lakes Region & Other Activities There is a book still available thru Amazon entitled "25 Walks in the Lakes Reg on" by Paul Blaisdell which gives some great hikes ranging from easy to moderate. The book is great because it tell you the degree of difficulty for each walk as well as directions, parking instructions and a great description of the trails and the vistas provided by each walk. If you visit www.visitnh.gov you can order a neat vacation guide with pictures of each of the regions in NH as well as guides to restaurants, lodging, and places of interest. I you and the kids are interested in trains there are several scenic railroads in the area as well as a model train exhibit with hands on activities for children at the Klickety Klack Railroad in Wolfeboro Falls. There are usually 5 or 6 trains in a great set up and there are controls for the children to run them. This place was always a favorite with my nephews when they were elementary school age. The Science Center in Holderness is also a great spot for nature study and animal exhibits. There are also several miniature golf and go-kart places as well as great places to go just for an ice cream such as the Kellerhaus in Weirs (an ice cream buffet). If you would like a list of good, kid friendly and casual dining spots, let us know. There are lots of great spots around the lake. A ride on the Mt. Washington (an approx. 3.5 hour tour) on a 230 foot boat gives you a good tour of the lake and its islands with a very informative commentary along the way. There is also a really neat general store that has been in business over 200 years in Moultonborough. It has penny candy, pickle barrels, and all kinds of neat stuff. Most of these places can be viewed via the links in this website. I think you'll enjoy the area no matter what your family's interests are. I've been at the lake each summer since 1959 and always find something new and fun to do.

01-17-2005, 12:31 PM	#3
glennsteely Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mantua, N.J. Posts: 472 Thanks: 90 Thanked 111 Times in 38 Posts	Welcome Sorourke!!!! My family has been Lake bound for generations, and we are an hour from the Jersey shore also. There is no comparison of the two different places.....first and foremost, the people. Next is the scenery. And last is the water quality. Your kids will love it, they all do, and people on the forum are correct, after you go, you wont want to leave. I think out of your choices, you are making the right one........ Attached Images __________________ You have to go out on a limb sometimes, cause that is where the fruit is. You can't get to the fruit from that nice safe spot, clinging to the trunk of the tree......

01-17-2005, 01:34 PM	#4
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,193 Thanks: 303 Thanked 529 Times in 296 Posts	Summer vacation site in Lakes region I won't rehash the earlier threads, but I do agree with the point that Carry Beach on Forest Road in Wolfeboro is a great spot. It has life guards, bathrooms, ample parking, and is very family friendly. With children at the ages of yours, you will have to make your own fun. They are still a couple of years shy of being able to have fun climbing or touring. So, to this point, you might consider renting a pontoon boat, maybe 22', with port-a-potty, grill, and cooler space. This gives you the chance to cruise the Lake looking at what you want, while the little ones have space to play and sleep. Also, you can anchor right at Carry Beach with one of these. Just north of the Lakes region there are some attractions, Story Land, etc., which would be of interest to your children. Good Luck to You in your quest, but, as mentioned earlier, act soon, summer isn't that far away in the rental world.

01-17-2005, 02:36 PM	#5
robjnh Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith and Nashua, NH Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Maybe Winnisquam We have a place on Lake Winnisquam in Meredith. Our communnity is called Waldron Bay and IMO we have one of the nicest beaches around. I know perferred porperties has at least one house in the development the rent by the week (no this is not an add for my place, we don't rent. www.steveweeks.com also has a lot of rentals in the area. We have a 6,4, and 3 week old and love the area. Again IMO Winnisquam is a little less crowded if you want to rent a boat. I think you may find the rental prices a little better as well. What ever you choose, I am sure you will be back. Good Luck.

01-16-2005, 11:07 PM	#2
sorourke Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks again. We've requested the vacation guide from visitnh.com and we're looking forward to gettting it. The hikes books sounds interesting as well. All your suggestions sound good. As for the kid friendly place websites, those would be great! Please send them along or post them here. Much appreciated, all!

01-17-2005, 02:56 PM	#6
Mr Port Jefferson Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	As you can see from my name I live in Port Jefferson, Long Island - right on the Long Island Sound - I have been vacationing on the Lake for over 40 years. We rent a condo (alot of the old resorts have gone condo) in Gilford, near the Weirs and central to alot of resturants and activities. We rent at Yacht Club Vista - which is the old Saunders Bay Motel and Cottages. It is on the main road - Rt 11B - next to Misty Harbor. I am sure that any Real Estate Agent that deals with rentals would be aware of it. We will be there the end of August. If you are looking for more info etc. e-mail me at MrPortJeff@aol.com