Memorial Day Weekend '25

[thinkxingu]

Really slow Memorial Day weekend. Our drive up from Southern NH Friday only took a few minutes longer than usual, there was very little traffic Saturday or Sunday in Center Harbor, driving from Alton through Wolfeboro to Moultonborough midday yesterday was faster than ever and, most telling, we were able to get Saturday night restaurant reservations only an hour before (hasn't happened in years) and yesterday's lunch was a ghost town.

I'm sure it's mostly weather related but am wondering if we'll be seeing a slowdown in travel this summer.

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[Biggd]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Really slow Memorial Day weekend. Our drive up from Southern NH Friday only took a few minutes longer than usual, there was very little traffic Saturday or Sunday in Center Harbor, driving from Alton through Wolfeboro to Moultonborough midday yesterday was faster than ever and, most telling, we were able to get Saturday night restaurant reservations only an hour before (hasn't happened in years) and yesterday's lunch was a ghost town.

I'm sure it's mostly weather related but am wondering if we'll be seeing a slowdown in travel this summer.

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We were able to walk into the three restaurants for dinner, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights without waiting.

[Swimmer215]

Yeah, this is shaping up to be yet another cold, rainy, disappointing summer. If it is, we are throwing in the towel and putting our Wolfeboro place on the market. 🤬🤬

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Swimmer215

Yeah, this is shaping up to be yet another cold, rainy, disappointing summer. If it is, we are throwing in the towel and putting our Wolfeboro place on the market. ����

Memorial day weekend is always a crap shoot but last summer was very dry!

[Swimmer215]

Well, we usually can be there only on the weekends, and it seems to me that for the last two summers, it was rainy and/or breezy and cool at least three weekends a month. The nice, warm, dry days were all during the workweek! Exactly as it's been for these last few weeks. Swimming and Jetskiing are why we bought our place, and we haven't been able to do much of either. I bet the lake is going to stay cold for quite some time.

[upthesaukee]

Town of Alton parade starts at 10am. Leaves from town hall area to the cemetery and then returns to town hall. Expect delays.

Dave

[map]

Originally Posted by Swimmer215

Well, we usually can be there only on the weekends, and it seems to me that for the last two summers, it was rainy and/or breezy and cool at least three weekends a month. The nice, warm, dry days were all during the workweek! Exactly as it's been for these last few weeks. Swimming and Jetskiing are why we bought our place, and we haven't been able to do much of either. I bet the lake is going to stay cold for quite some time.

If you want guaranteed perfect weather on weekends only, buying a second home solely for that reason is not a good idea in this region.

[erk]

Perhaps the predictions were right and our neighbors to the North are staying home 🤷🏼*♀️

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by Swimmer215

Well, we usually can be there only on the weekends, and it seems to me that for the last two summers, it was rainy and/or breezy and cool at least three weekends a month. The nice, warm, dry days were all during the workweek! Exactly as it's been for these last few weeks. Swimming and Jetskiing are why we bought our place, and we haven't been able to do much of either. I bet the lake is going to stay cold for quite some time.

Hey Debbie Downer--I bet it's going to be an awesome summer!

Seriously, the water will be warm enough to swim by Father's Day, it always is

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by erk

Perhaps the predictions were right and our neighbors to the North are staying home 🤷🏼*♀️

I agree that the tariffs are going to put a real crimp on the economy, and summer will be slower than normal. But for those of us lucky enough to have homes here already (pretty much everybody on this thread?), fewer crowds is a plus

[erk]

I agree less crowds are more amenable to waterfront owners and locals but crashing the local economy because of tariffs and recent happenings in Washington probably isn’t the best thing

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by erk

Perhaps the predictions were right and our neighbors to the North are staying home 🤷🏼*♀️

I never really noticed that many Canadian visitors to the Lakes Region.
Anyway, traffic from the south was light this past weekend. My wife came up Friday night and hit no traffic. We all left at various times Monday afternoon and none of us hit traffic going back to Ma. Was it weather related, IDK?

[erk]

The New Hampshire Lakes Region is a popular tourist destination that attracts many Canadian visitors, particularly during the summer months. However, there have been some reports of a decline in Canadian tourism due to political tensions and economic factors, as reported by New Hampshire Public Radio. Despite this, the region continues to market itself to Canadian travelers and hopes that the political situation will improve, allowing for a return to normal tourism levels

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I never really noticed that many Canadian visitors to the Lakes Region.
Anyway, traffic from the south was light this past weekend. My wife came up Friday night and hit no traffic. We all left at various times Monday afternoon and none of us hit traffic going back to Ma. Was it weather related, IDK?

We will see during bike week- the Quebec crowd rides some nice custom bikes and are usually out in force.

[MeredithMan]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Really slow Memorial Day weekend. Our drive up from Southern NH Friday only took a few minutes longer than usual, there was very little traffic Saturday or Sunday in Center Harbor, driving from Alton through Wolfeboro to Moultonborough midday yesterday was faster than ever and, most telling, we were able to get Saturday night restaurant reservations only an hour before (hasn't happened in years) and yesterday's lunch was a ghost town.

I'm sure it's mostly weather related but am wondering if we'll be seeing a slowdown in travel this summer.

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We went to breakfast at Union Diner Saturday AM around 9:30. It was mostly full, but we didn't have to wait and when we left, there was only one large party of 6 or so waiting. It is not un-common to see the line out the door there on a weekend during the summer. However, crowd at the Meredith Craft Fair on Sunday was decent size...busier than previous years. There was a crazy line at the Kettle Corn vendor, (have never been a Kettle Corn fan...smells awful and tastes worse...)

Another fun fact...in speaking with Kory at Paugus Bay Marina this weekend, he mentioned new boat sales are way down this year, but used boat sales are decent. Could be the combo of higher interest rates, overall economic uncertainty, and the folks who bought a Covid Boat are now several years into a 10 year boat loan and are saying, "what did I do...??"

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

Town of Alton parade starts at 10am. Leaves from town hall area to the cemetery and then returns to town hall.

Glad to read that at least one person mentioned the real reason that the United States has a Memorial Day.

May those who served this country be honored and may they rest in peace.

sent from my x400 alpha cell phone.

[TomC]

It always bugs me to hear people wish others a "happy" Memorial Day. Sure its the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend, but I'm with you: people need to take 30 seconds to acknowledge the purpose of the holiday. I heard a commercial on the radio where the business wished the its customers and listeners a 'meaningful" Memorial Day. That was a little better and respects, at least a little bit, whatever meaning people wish to ascribe to the day...

[Mr. V]

I don't know how it is in NH, but out west veterans worry their groups will die out if younger generations don’t step up.

American Legion posts, 40 ET 8 and other groups that work with veterans and host ceremonies say membership is dropping.

[thinkxingu]

Here's an article addressing the decline in Canadian travel to America: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/n...urism-retreat/

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[John Mercier]

The State is aware and reaching out.
Problem is hardened positions.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by erk

The New Hampshire Lakes Region is a popular tourist destination that attracts many Canadian visitors, particularly during the summer months. However, there have been some reports of a decline in Canadian tourism due to political tensions and economic factors, as reported by New Hampshire Public Radio. Despite this, the region continues to market itself to Canadian travelers and hopes that the political situation will improve, allowing for a return to normal tourism levels

NPR-the unbiased all knowing fountain of truth!

In any case, it was quiet around the lakes region last weekend. I suspect weather kept people home. That’s ok with us. The last few years springtime has been wet, seems to be a pattern. Last summer was awesome! Looking forward to same this year. Boat is in, swim raft is in, come on sunshine and warm water!

[John Mercier]

Quiet is what the problem is.

Lower tourism effects both the Meals & Rental (Room & Meals) and Business Tax revenues.

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Quiet is what the problem is.

Oh, really?

It depends what dog you've got in the fight.

If you own rentals then yes, you need tourists and all they bring with them.

But if you purchased and then tore down a cabin colony to build your lakeside mansion, your monument to yourself, then you want as little intrusion in your peace and quiet as possible.