Ames Farm Inn Docking?

RedWinnie · 08-28-2017, 07:04 AM

I've heard that the Ames Farm Inn does a great breakfast and we've tossed around the idea of trying it all summer.

Our only hesitation has been - what if we get over there and can't find a dock space?

Is this actually an issue? Or are dock spaces generally available?

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Wolfeboro_Baja · 08-28-2017, 09:35 AM

Dock space is hit or miss depending on how busy they are and how many are traveling by boat on any given day.

I've been there twice by boat, once last year, once this year. Both times, i was able to dock without issue but it was weekday visits both times. They hang small vertical signs on the posts at the ends of the docks to be used by the public coming to the restaurant; I think they're red and say "Restaurant" on them. I think when we went, there were only 3-4 dock spaces marked for the public but I could be wrong.

I guess the only thing you can do is leave early and if there's no dock space, hang around a bit to see if someone leaves or go somewhere else to eat. Perhaps you could call and ask if they have dock space available? Of course, then it will depend on how quickly you can get there.

There are plenty of options on the lake and it's always nice to go for a ride!

AC2717 · 08-28-2017, 10:24 AM

I've tried three times by boat, all three I had no luck, I drive because I am in Laconia, but would love to go by boat, it does get left out of choices now because we like to go by boat

Slickcraft · 08-28-2017, 11:59 AM

We went last Friday; arrived about 7:45 and left about 8:20. Ours was the only boat in a restaurant spot. I think that there is space for about 5 or 6 boats in the 18' to 22' range and as noted marked with red signs. The dock that we used for our 22' Eastern had room for one additional smaller boat in front. I would only try it on an early weekday morning unless there is a backup plan. And a smaller boat has a better chance.

BroadHopper · 08-29-2017, 09:08 AM

I arrive Sunday morning at 11a, dock was empty, and the wait was 50 minutes. He calculated that pretty well as we came back from a 45 minutes hike and he called us!

Spanish and a special order omelets were ordered. Both delicious!
Corned Beef Hash was OK as it was the SYSCO can type. The raisin bread was Pepperidge Farm. They did not say on the menu they were home made so they are good on their part.

They announced that they will be open during the week and will closed when they run out of the popular items. They are out of the steaks. They don't expect the restaurant to be open Labor Day weekend. They rent rooms and cottages into Columbus Day.

DRH · 08-29-2017, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

They announced that they will be open during the week and will closed when they run out of the popular items. They are out of the steaks. They don't expect the restaurant to be open Labor Day weekend. They rent rooms and cottages into Columbus Day.

I was there yesterday morning and our waitress said the restaurant is open through Labor Day but that it will close after that. Their website also indicates the restaurant is open through Labor Day.

Descant · 08-30-2017, 12:31 PM

Docks are assigned first to those who are renting a cabin. Some days there may be several docks available, some days, they're full. We always call ahead, and they'll tell us which number docks are available and/or how busy they are.

08-28-2017, 07:04 AM	#1
RedWinnie Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ames Farm Inn Docking? I've heard that the Ames Farm Inn does a great breakfast and we've tossed around the idea of trying it all summer. Our only hesitation has been - what if we get over there and can't find a dock space? Is this actually an issue? Or are dock spaces generally available? Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-28-2017, 09:35 AM	#2
Wolfeboro_Baja Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hopkinton NH Posts: 395 Thanks: 88 Thanked 80 Times in 46 Posts	Dock space is hit or miss depending on how busy they are and how many are traveling by boat on any given day. I've been there twice by boat, once last year, once this year. Both times, i was able to dock without issue but it was weekday visits both times. They hang small vertical signs on the posts at the ends of the docks to be used by the public coming to the restaurant; I think they're red and say "Restaurant" on them. I think when we went, there were only 3-4 dock spaces marked for the public but I could be wrong. I guess the only thing you can do is leave early and if there's no dock space, hang around a bit to see if someone leaves or go somewhere else to eat. Perhaps you could call and ask if they have dock space available? Of course, then it will depend on how quickly you can get there. There are plenty of options on the lake and it's always nice to go for a ride! __________________ Cancer SUCKS!

08-28-2017, 10:24 AM	#3
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,544 Thanks: 749 Thanked 350 Times in 263 Posts	I've tried three times by boat, all three I had no luck, I drive because I am in Laconia, but would love to go by boat, it does get left out of choices now because we like to go by boat __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

08-29-2017, 09:08 AM	#5
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,560 Thanks: 3,178 Thanked 1,097 Times in 790 Posts	Docking I arrive Sunday morning at 11a, dock was empty, and the wait was 50 minutes. He calculated that pretty well as we came back from a 45 minutes hike and he called us! Spanish and a special order omelets were ordered. Both delicious! Corned Beef Hash was OK as it was the SYSCO can type. The raisin bread was Pepperidge Farm. They did not say on the menu they were home made so they are good on their part. They announced that they will be open during the week and will closed when they run out of the popular items. They are out of the steaks. They don't expect the restaurant to be open Labor Day weekend. They rent rooms and cottages into Columbus Day. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

08-30-2017, 12:31 PM	#7
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,248 Thanks: 1,301 Thanked 1,598 Times in 1,034 Posts	Call ahead Docks are assigned first to those who are renting a cabin. Some days there may be several docks available, some days, they're full. We always call ahead, and they'll tell us which number docks are available and/or how busy they are.

08-28-2017, 11:59 AM	#4
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,278 Thanks: 1,213 Thanked 2,052 Times in 942 Posts	We went last Friday; arrived about 7:45 and left about 8:20. Ours was the only boat in a restaurant spot. I think that there is space for about 5 or 6 boats in the 18' to 22' range and as noted marked with red signs. The dock that we used for our 22' Eastern had room for one additional smaller boat in front. I would only try it on an early weekday morning unless there is a backup plan. And a smaller boat has a better chance.