What's your favorite town on the Lake?
 

When I first saw her, I wasn't sure what to think. She was definitely cute but I was told she's not into people from Massachsetts. So we started out slowly, baby steps for sure. Ice cream at the town docks, a few things from Hannafords. Then one Sunday a special visit to Moulton Farms left me thinking very seriously about her. A stroll through the village with drinks at Lago and the inevitable dinner at Church's Landing looking out at the beautiful bay ended our evening. Later that night, candlelight on the balcony, the full moon glistening off the water and a nice bottle of wine brought me to the realization. I'm in love with Meredith... Sigh...

Although I "married" Meredith 33 years ago, for the 1st 23 years, my 1st love, and still my "mistress".
Boat Cove, Alton Bay. :cool:

I think you had way to much of that wine. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Hi Irish, I share your love of Meredith. I have stayed there so many times that I feel right at home as soon as I arrive. I love being able to walk by the lake and the docks, go to Innisfree Book Store, Adornments and other shops, the Waterfall Cafe or George's Diner for breakfast, and later, Lago , Lakehouse Grille or other good restaurants that are close by. The view of the harbor is spectacular. It's wicked crowded in the summer, but still great. I was there a few weeks ago and visit throughout the year, in every season. I also love Center Harbor and years ago we used to stay in Melvin Village, which is much more quiet, but lovely. Each town has it's own personality. It's all good !!

Just slightly creepy.:laugh:

I don't know if I have a "favorite", but I do really like Meredith as well. My wife and I stay at the Inn at Mill Falls once in a while, and also stayed there for a few days when we got married.

I like Moultonborough simply because of the Castle in the Clouds, which is where we were married, as well as all the hiking trails.

I like Alton because that is where I spent a good portion of my childhood/teenage life growing up, and now own land there as well, however, it still could use some updating.

As far as boating/things to do, my first choice would be Meredith-on a week day. :D

"I was told she's not into people from Massachsetts."

In 1748, because so many residents where from Salem Massachusetts it was called New Salem. It was later renamed Meredith after Sir William Meredith a British politician.

Don't see myself changing
 

Wolfeboro has had my heart for 43 years and I don't really see that changing. :love:

I must agree. Wolfeboro has barely changed in the 40-years I have been visiting. In my opinion, the town planners have done a fantastic job of maintaining the charm of this quaint New England village. Meredith is a nice place to visit for dinner but too many parts of the west side of Winnipesaukee are over run by development and chocked with traffic for my taste. Thus, it's the east side of the great lake for me!!

definatly wolfboro Is my fav. town

:D

To relax the Winni way? Meredith hands down. If center harbor had a few more things to do, it would be up there too.

Wolfeboro............I love that town. I have a lifetime of wonderful memories there going back over the last 50 years and they continue. It is a very special place to me.

Favorite town
 

Wolfeboro by far is my favorite town. Many great resturants, Museums and Great Waters performances. I met a retired couple from Europe in Wolfeboro last year that travel the world. Every year they come back to Wolfeboro. They say it is their favorite travel location. That to me says it all.

I think what would be interesting is to know if anybody's favorite town is DIFFERENT than the one they live and or play in? In other words, if you live in Meredith, does anyone like Wolfeboro better? I think we usually live where we think is the nicest, if we can.

We live in Moultonborough, and our spot is very convenient for lake travel. We don't have lots of boat traffic directly in front of us, and the views aren't bad. And the taxes here are a less than in some of the other towns that have more to offer in the way of entertainment outside of one's home.

We don't really play in Moultonborough though. For that we travel to Meredith or Wolfeborough. We love both those places about equally.

When a fried dough fix is calling or some skee ball needs to be played, or a night out partying is needed, you can't beat the Weirs! Not hearin' too much love here for that area!

There's something to be said for each town. The gentleman who started the thread makes good points about in-town Meredith, but I'm guessing there are many of us who couldn't afford to live there...especially on the water. It's good to have options. ; )

Each town has such a different character, that my favorite usually depends on who our guests are or our mood. Teenage guests mean Weirs, some of my more senior friends mean Wolfboro, often times its picnic tables at Town Docks - but if my father-in-law is up...we stay at the marina and I wait for a chance to nudge him in. I guess if we stick with the original 'girlfriend' theme, that makes me a floozy!

I agree with TIS. I think one's favorite town also depends on what town they live/vacation in and their history with their favorite town. For many, many years my family vacationed in Meredith so that would have been my favorite town because of the memories created in Meredith. However now that we've vacationed for the past 4-5 years in Center Harbor/Moultonboro those towns are now added to my favorites.

Wolfeboro has been my favorite for 59 years. I cannot go to town without going to Blacks to get the paper, breakfast at the Diner, or a stroll on the docks. We plan our vacations around the 4th of July fireworks and the Huggins Fair. :)

Meredith, Wolfeboro gets a close second.

I rented in Meredith our first year and have to say I didn't love it, maybe because I am from Mass. Bad service at a pizza place, soured me. I should say no service, I was just ignored as I stood there waiting. I did go to another place and got great service, so not all bad.

Our 2nd and 3rd and now our 4th year of renting is Alton Bay, Boat Cove! I absolutely love it there. Wish I could buy the place I rent but I know I can't afford it :( Can't afford anything on the lake really at this moment in time, but MegaMillions may come thru at some point.

Wolfeboro
 

My favorite town is Wolfeboro. My family began vacationing at Allen A in its hay day. A couple of cousins honeymooned there. My family started going to Edward's Vacation Spot as it was called in the early 50s. It was heaven on earth. My sister and I make an annual "pilgrimage" to Wolfeboro every fall and stay at the Allen A. The town hasn't changed much. We still love to shop at Blacks.

After reading the responses to the original post, I find it interesting that many of the posts are based on the perspectives of folks who come for vacation. There seem to be more of those responses than from folks who live in the lakes region.

Lol...to go back to original analogy...Meredith is a nice place to take your date out for dinner, but it's a bit more cost effective to cook for her in your own kitchen in Moultonborough!

My favorite town on the lake is Welch Island! :D You can get the best home cooked meal, cheapest drinks at the best bar in the lakes region and greatest neighbors anywhere on the lake and the views are dam good too!!

Dan

My favorite town is whichever one we decide to tie up at and have a nice meal, go for a walk and enjoy the scenery. Every day it is a different choice and every choice is a new adventure.

That's an interesting perspective, I actually would tend to think that the great majority of responses would be from people who don't live in the area full time.


I live in MA, and I think Meredith is my favorite like I said (but only on weekdays:D). I may like it because in the town I live in now, we don't have a grocery store, a fast food restaurant, or even a hardware store. I like how I can get everything within walking distance when I take the boat there and dock up.

Wolfeboro is also a very nice town with a lot of character IMO.

Gilford.. Yes indeed it has all the shopping you need, plenty of restaurants nearby and not completely overrun with tourists in the summer like Meredith & Wolfeboro.

.....Gilford!
 

I vote Gilford because the Gilford-Hannaford's has a 25-cent/gallon water vending machine. If you go and drink that Meredith-Lake Winnipesaukee water, you can get a good strong case of diarrhea. The 25-cent water vending machine is inside the Gilford-Hannaford's....the water come from the Laconia water system.....which comes from Paugus Bay in Lake Winnipesaukee.....so go figure.....but hey.....it's great quality and safe-to-drink water....!

So, how come the Meredith-Hannaford's ain't got no 25-cent water vending machine in their Meredith store?

Meredith
 

We like it so much that we moved here when we retired!

:laugh: Are we allowed to come visit that town???

I'm with you on this one. You would expect the quiet side of the lake to be the most common. But, like you mentioned most come up from down south.

a little love for Moultonboro
 

I'll use the original analogy, too. Meredith and Wolfeboro are great dates...but for a long-term relationship, I'll take Moultonboro. Doesn't have the flashy personality of the other towns, but it's steadfast, quiet, and beautiful. My spouse's family is on its fifth generation in Moultonboro, and I joined them in the early '70s.

Love Most of It
 

When I started looking for lake towns to move to and live year-round, I received a LOT of great input from forum members about their towns and preferences. I ended up in Wolfeboro and absolutely love this town, but I like going to other towns around the lake too.

We have a great time driving around the lake and stopping at various towns for various reasons. (mostly food:liplick:

In my mind the whole area around Lake Winnipesaukee is paradise. (except for maybe Laconia). And I will say this...after taking a vacation in St. John in the Caribbean this winter, I had no problem returning to this beautiful area. It's the first time I can remember when I didn't get the post-vacation blues.

Wolfeboro would be my pick. I spent 15 summers of my life as a camper/counselor at Camp Bernadette on Lake Wentworth for 8 weeks every summer. It was the highlight of my year. Each time I drive by what is now The Front Porch I smile just thinking of Bailey's chocolate chip ice cream.

We vacation in the BVI and feel the same way! Winnipesaukee is paradise indeed...the name on our cottage is "Livin' the Dream." : )

Alton Bay
 

I love the Alton and Alton Bay.

As my user name suggests, I like Lake Winnipesaukee and have been coming here since I was a newborn, literally the first summer I was around.

I love being "Upthesaukee" full time now, and I love Alton Bay. I enjoy going to Meredith and Wolfeboro but hate the traffic. Center Harbor is great, but you have to go through Wolfeboro or Meredith to get there, a pain in the summer. Moultonboro and Melvin Village areas are great, and love to boat that way. Gilford is great for shopping, and we eat there a lot.

What I like about Alton Bay is it is still small...I like that...and don't mind going off to do shopping as in Walmart or Kohls, or any of the big box stores.

So when you see the red and white 25' Mariah bowrider going by, you will see "Upthesaukee Too" on the side. Give a wave, and like others say on this forum, I will wave back.

me too
 

I spent 5 years as a camper and those memories are just one of many reasons I love Wolfeboro. :D

I have to go with Moultonboro. It's where the family's house is. I really like the northern part of the lake.

While I live in Moultonberry :)and love my town, I think downtown Wolfeboro offers the best vacation area experience.

Favorite Lake Town;
 

My favorite town by far is Alton Bay (which is the center of the universe). I've been going up there since I was born and my parents used to go when they were young. Getting the Coronado ready as we speak. Every time I go up I have fond memories of Mr. Cooke's Criss Craft barefooting down the bay.

All Winni Towns are great but,
 

Gilford has the best views (mountains) by far...

My two cents.