Wolfeboro, N.H.: The Quieter Side of Lake Winnipesaukee
Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukee makes for a beautiful lake and mountain
town.
by Eric Hurwitz. Article updated on 5/14/2021
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Lake Winnipesaukee's personality never changed, just what
goes on around it. Once a location of true serenity and a place to "get
away from it all," parts of New Hampshire's largest lake have become
highly commercialized -- from the honky-tonk to new inns made to look
old (and charge a hefty price for their fabricated charm). Sadly, some
of the Lake -- particularly on the west side -- doesn't look the same
to many New Englanders as it once did.
Wolfeboro, America's oldest resort community at more than two centuries
old, never really cared to subscribe to this odd and
disturbing form of "progress." Fine neighborhoods with big, old homes, a beautifully restored former train station that houses the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce
and a nice mix of laid-back arts and crafts and book stores, bakeries
and cafes and a truly tranquil and scenic
backyard to the downtown -- the magnificent lake -- make Wolfeboro a
trip back in time on the eastern shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.
Wolfeboro Station
Downtown Wolfeboro.
Take a stroll down any of the east side streets and you'll end up with
one of the prettiest views in New Hampshire -- a cool, calm lake
surrounded by mountains. Nice walkways and a gazebo add to the charm,
as well as extremely friendly residents who have a respect for their
town and the people who visit their charmed community. Once at the
lake, it's hard to believe one is just a stones' throw from Main Street.
Scenery abounds in Wolfeboro.
The feeling of going from a busy
-- but not too noisy -- Main Street to a place of great solitude by the
water in just seconds provides a great option to those torn between
shopping and relaxing within the same continent.
Peace and quiet in downtown Wolfeboro.
When in Wolfeboro, the greatest thing to do is nothing. The lake is a
gift to our senses, the fresh air a blessing to our lungs, and the
quiet, star-filled nights a vehicle to feeling refreshed.
To its credit, it's hard to find an ATM in Wolfeboro, or a place to buy
obnoxious souvenirs. It's not a place to drink too much at the
proverbial lakeside club that offers 1970s rock revival acts playing to
20 down and out people. You'll find none of that here, just lush green
fields and splendid lakeside viewing in the spring, summer and fall,
and a classic wintery village scene in the colder months. More than 40
miles of groomed ski trails also offer scenic beauty. You will also
notice that not every other house is a bed and breakfast or inn like in
so many other tourist communities. There are only a few places to stay
in town, the most notable being the esteemed Wolfeboro Inn (with its
main building constructed in 1812) sitting majestically off Main Street
and with a straight ahead view of the Lake.
At first glance, Wolfeboro may not seem like anything special to those
driving by on Route 109. Many other New England towns have the stately
old homes seen here. Countless communities in New England have the
fortune of being located on a lake. The downtown retail district is not
as spectacular or trendy as some of New England's most popular destinations. What
those other communities lack, however, is authenticity. When
authenticity is present, one can feel the real pulse of a community
more than towns, villages and cities with fragmented spectacular areas,
and with commercialism undermining those great scenic moments.
Wolfeboro is consistently good.
Wolfeboro features a small town, village-like look by the lake.
Wolfeboro is like your best friend -- honest, friendly and loyal.
Perhaps that is why it is a well-loved vacation area after all these
years.
For more information on Wolfeboro, visit the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce web site.
Book a room in
Wolfeboro and get a great rate
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Eric
wrote these helpful, fun New England travel books just for you...
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