Springtime outdoor family fun!
Now that the snow is melting and the air has warmed, It’s the perfect time to head out with the family and Catch the Springtime Glow in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire!
Shake the dust off your hikers and get outside and explore some of the awesome spring activities the New Hampshire Lakes Region has to offer:
- Go hike one of the the hundreds of amazing trails or wild spaces in the New Hampshire Lakes Region
- Grab lunch at one of the outstanding bakeries, cafes or restaurants in and around our towns and cities!
- Get geared up at one of the many shops and outfitters that call the New Hampshire Lakes Region their home!
Need a reason to make it a weekend getaway? Check out our events calendar and plan your trip around something truly spectacular!
Great Biking Trails in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire
The WOW Trail | Laconia
The WOW Trail is a paved, 10 foot wide, multi-use rail trail in the City of Laconia enjoyed by bikers, walkers and runners of all ages.
Built within the State of New Hampshire owned railroad right-of-way, alongside the active tracks currently leased to the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, the trail currently spans from Elm Street in Lakeport to downtown Laconia and then on to the Belmont town line where it meets with Belmont’s Winnisquam Scenic Trail, creating 4.25 miles of continuous trail between Lakeport and Belmont’s Osborne’s Agway.
A portion of the WOW Trail veers out of the railroad right-of-way, from Bisson Avenue to Lyford Street, and again over the bridge on Fair Street, in order to avoid the RR trestles over the Winnipesaukee River. Users will note a widened sidewalk with a dashed line down the middle of these sections.
The WOW Trail has become a unifying landmark and point of pride for the City of Laconia.
For more information about our fundraising efforts, visit: https://www.wowtrail.org/
The Winnipesaukee River Trail
Looking for a mellow walk or bike ride on a scenic historic trail close to the Twin River’s, downtown areas, yet with the feel of wilderness? This 3.1 mile trail parallels the Winnipesaukee River and passes the historic upside down covered bridge.
You can also explore mill ruins and dams that tell the history of the mills that operated on this section of the river in the mid 19th century. Catch the glow of Spring as you overlook the Winnipesaukee River as it passes through a beautiful gorge. The trail is open to all non-motorized users from the historic railroad trestle in Franklin to Park Street in Northfield. In that area you can also view the collection of antique rail cars and cabooses.
For more information, visit: https://www.winnirivertrail.org/
The Cotton Valley Rail Trail
Wolfeboro – Brookfield – Wakefield, New Hampshire
The Cotton Valley Rail Trail is located in Wolfeboro, Brookfield and Wakefield, New Hampshire. This 12 mile hard packed Trail offers recreational opportunities to people of all ages and interests – walking, biking (please use caution on platforms when transitioning from trail to inside the rails), running, wildlife viewing, fishing and railway motor cars. And in winter cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
The Cotton Valley Trail Committee (CVTC) and all its partners and volunteers hope that you enjoy the opportunity to get outside and experience nature in a safe and beautiful environment. The CVTC suggests starting in downtown Wolfeboro or Turntable Park, Wakefield or anywhere in between to enjoy views of lakes, woods, open spaces, wetlands and wildlife. Take a moment to rest on one of our many benches or picnic tables and enjoy the silence and sounds of nature without traffic!
For more information, visit: https://cottonvalleyrailtrail.org/
Franklin Falls
Biking is a very popular use of the Franklin Falls trail system. Visitors are allowed to bike on any of the trails and the Franklin Falls trail system has trails designed especially for bike riders. These trails are located across from the project office, extending off the Coleman Road. The trail system was developed by a local mountain bike association known as NEMBA (New England Mountain Bike Association).
The mountain bike trail system is centered near the Franklin Falls Dam administrative offices on highway 127, three miles south of I-93 off exit 22. The system currently consists of approximately 10 miles of multi-use trail, built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers.
For more information, visit: https://www.nemba.org/trails/new-hampshire/franklin-falls-dam-franklin
Maple Sugar Season!
Spring is the season for the deliciously sweet maple syrup… and what better way to enjoy your favorite pancake topping than take a tour of our huge variety of local sugar shacks and maple syrup operations!
You’ll find great deals on Maple Syrup as well as other favorite springtime treats waiting for you. Feeling like a beautiful drive? Make a Maple syrup tour and visit as many as possible… you’re sure to have an amazing day that will satisfy your sweet tooth! Did you know:
- It takes 25-50 gallons of sap to produce 1 gallon of maple syrup.
- There are 200+ species of maple trees, but only 2 species are the best for making syrup. The rock maple and sugar maple!
- Maple trees need to be at least 25 years old before they become reliable sap producers.
- A mature sugar maple tree will produce enough sap per season to make just a single quart of syrup.
Check out some of our local sugar shacks:
Kearsarge Gore Farm – Warner, NH
Eldridge Family Sugar House – Tamworth, NH
Babel’s Sugar Shack – Mason, NH
Windswept Maples Farm – Loudon, NH
5 Saplings Sugarhouse – Wilmot, NH
Green Acres Farm – Tilton, NH
Parker’s Maple Barn – Mason, NH
Prescott Farms – Laconia NH
Heritage Farm Pancake House – Sanbornton, NH
Looking for Farm-Fresh Local New Hampshire Ingredients?
Beech Hill Farm – Hopkinton NH
Carter Hill Orchard – Concord NH
Emery Farm – Durham NH
Moulton Farm – Meredith NH
Pustizzi Fruit Farm – Boscawen NH
Sherman Farm – Conway NH
Windy Ridge Orchard – North Haverhill NH
The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
The Winnipesaukee Playhouse is a nonprofit organization that serves to develop and stage professional and community-based theatrical productions and to provide opportunities in theatre and the performing arts for the community.
We aim to provide a fun and challenging theatrical environment for all Lakes Region locals and visitors in both performance-based and educational arenas. Whether your interest is to be onstage, behind-the-scenes, or in the audience, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse has something for you!
The Playhouse was founded in 2004 with the vision of bringing quality arts and arts education to The Lakes Region. The theatre has become a cultural gem in the area winning both critical acclaim and becoming an important outlet for the performing arts in central New Hampshire.
For more information, Click Here
The Colonial Theatre
First opened in 1914, the Colonial Theatre was designed by George I. Griffin. Original owner Benjamin Piscopo was from Venice, Italy, and the theatre featured a fire curtain depicting Venice as seen from the water. The theatre hosted a variety of stage productions and photoplays. By the early 1930s the Colonial had pivoted to show motion pictures. In 1983, the theatre was divided up into 5 separate movie screens. In August of 2002, the theatre closed after 87 years of operation.
On June 15, 2015, the City of Laconia announced a partnership with the Belknap Economic Development Council (BEDC) to purchase, renovate, and reopen the Colonial. 609 Main Street LLC was created to conduct the capital campaign for the renovation. The restoration of the Colonial began in March of 2016, and is scheduled to conclude in early 2021.
The newly reopened Colonial Theatre has a seating capacity of 761, and plays host to a wide-range of performances, including music, theatre, comedy, and civic events. The Colonial Theatre is managed by Spectacle Live, and is home to the Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, program of Belknap Mill.
For more information, Click Here
Bank of NH Pavilion
With over 9,000 seats available to music lovers from across the world, Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion stands as one of the greatest outdoor venues in the region. Evolving from a humble origin as a grass field venue on a tree farm, the pavilion has since become northern New England’s premier summer concert venue. The venue’s comfortable space and the world-class acts it attracts has even earned it honors in USA Today as one of their 10 Best Concert Venues Across the USA, with several nominations from the magazine’s peers. The outdoor amphitheater has even gained recognition for adaption, as the venue changed names twice to reflect its evolving focus, direction, and place in New Hampshire’s music scene.
For more information, Click Here
The Lakeport Opera House
The Lakeport Opera House is in the heart of the Lakes Region. They are an elite venue offering a blend of high-end style and historic charm. They offer live musical performances, theatre productions, and other community-focused events. This 140-year-old building has been beautifully renovated and is also available to host corporate events and other private gatherings.
For more information, Click Here
The CAKE Theatre
Welcome to the world of “REDONKULOUS”, where anything & everything happens. With the natural progression of 3 crazy guys who have performed worldwide, including 4,000 shows in Las Vegas, the time has come for the ultimate party. Two years ago, we broke ground in building our own venue, “The CAKE Theatre.” We are the only band in the country to fully own their venue and produce/perform their own shows! We spent millions to create the ultimate Las Vegas experience not in Las Vegas but in our home state of New Hampshire.
About the CAKE Theatre
Recycled Percussion is making history. After two years in the making, millions of dollars invested into the project, and hundreds of hours of creative design, we present to you The CHAOS & KINDNESS EXPERIENCE, better known as THE CAKE. THE CAKE Theatre is Recycled Percussion’s very own performance venue, as well as a venue available for much more.
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