By Car

New Hampshire is well-connected to the rest of New England and the Northeast by major north-south highways. Interstate 95 winds its way through the coastal region of the state, running out of Boston north into Portland, Maine. Interstate 93 runs directly through the middle of the state and through the Lakes Region, providing out-of-state travelers easy access to Laconia, Weirs Beach, Franklin, and all the cities to the west of Lake Winnipesaukee. I-89 crosses New Hampshire diagonally, running from Massachusetts in the southeast to Vermont in the northwest, linking up major cities such as Manchester and the state capital in Concord. Finally, to the west, Interstate 91 runs north and south on the Vermont side of the state line.

During the winter, New Hampshire is well prepared and experienced at keeping its roads safe and easily accessible.

By Plane

The air traveler has a number of choices when flying into northern New England. The Lakes Region is within a few hours' drive of four large airports. Together, these airports provide service on almost every carrier from almost every point in North America.

Manchester Airport

One Airport Rd., Suite 300

Manchester, NH 03103

(603) 624-6539

The Gateway to northern New England. Located close to New Hampshire's most popular resort areas, Manchester is the convenient, hassle-free alternative in air travel. Served by USAir, United, COMAIR, Business Express, and Continental Express. Non-stop service offered to major U.S. cities.

By Bus/Train

New Hampshire is serviced by a number of bus lines, many of which originate from Massachusetts and connect with Logan International Airport and the Boston terminus for Amtrak. Travelers arriving in New England by rail will have to disembark in Boston and continue by bus or car into New Hampshire. Concord Trailways is a major bus line connecting the state capital with Boston and the national Trailways routes. Concord Trailways stops on the way into New Hampshire along routes 3, 16, 25, and 104. C&J Trailways also links New Hampshire to Boston via the city of Dover, in New Hampshire's seacoast region near the Maine state line. C&J buses travel along the Spaulding Turnpike and Interstate 95.

Distances to the Lakes Region

From major East Coast cities, these are the driving mileages to Laconia, NH, the hub of the Lakes Region:

Lakes Region Chambers of Commerce

Climate

According to the U.S. Weather Bureau, the average temperature in central New Hampshire ranges from about 20 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 70 degrees in July. Average monthly precipitation is 3.2 inches.

Squam Lake Area

Squam Lake is the very same lake as featured in the film, "On Golden Pond." To commemorate this, there are guided boat tours available across this pristine lake. Holderness and Ashland are the two main towns on Squam Lake, complete with many lovely cottages, restaurants, inns, and a covered bridge over the Squam River. The Science Center of New Hampshire is located in Holderness, and features a huge wildlife trail where you can see all varieties of animals living in their natural habitats while undergoing physical rehabilitation. Squam Lake lies to the northwest of Winnipesaukee and can be reached by following Route 3/25 North from Weirs Beach.

Other Lakes

Lake Winnisquam is the setting for the towns of Belmont, Meredith, Sanbornton, and Tilton, and its shoreline also laps at the city of Laconia. This is an area full of cottages, resorts, and bed & breakfast inns. A large factory outlet shopping center is located in Tilton. This area lies just to the west of Laconia and Weirs Beach.

The Ossipee and White Lakes are located in the northeast corner of the Lakes Region, close to the Maine state line. Tamworth is the main city worth noting in this area, as it is home to the very popular White Lake State Park, which features campgrounds, boat rentals, and areas for swimming and fishing along the shores of the beautiful White Lake. The town is also a great place for mountain biking and is home to the Barnstormers, New Hampshire's oldest summer theater.