A Winter Weekend in New Hampshire's Lakes Region: Cozy Cabins, Local Favorites & Things to Do Beyond Skiing

There’s a certain kind of magic to New Hampshire in winter. The roads get quieter, snow settles across the mountains, and the small towns around Lake Winnipesaukee trade their summer crowds for a slower pace. We love a good ski day, and Gunstock Mountain is one of the reasons so many people visit the Lakes Region in winter, but you don’t need to ski to have a great weekend here. Between charming downtowns, a local winery, ice skating, holiday festivals, family attractions, and a cozy cabin to come home to, there’s plenty to build an entire trip around. Here’s how we’d spend a winter weekend on the lake, whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a family trip, or a few days with friends.

Lower Beech Pond in winter, a short walk from Beech Pond Cabin.

Why Visit Lake Winnipesaukee in Winter?

Most people picture Lake Winnipesaukee in summer, and there’s nothing like a July afternoon on the water. But winter is a genuinely different experience: the waterfront towns get quieter, restaurants feel more intimate, and the mountains ringing the lake take on a completely different character. Instead of racing to the beach or hunting for downtown parking, you can slow down and actually explore. It’s also a good season to support some of the Lakes Region’s smaller businesses, many of which operate year-round even as their hours shift with the season. You won’t be swimming, but you’ll still find plenty of reasons to be outside, and you can make the weekend as adventurous or as relaxing as you want.

Friday: Arrive, Unpack, and Settle Into Cabin Life

Our one piece of advice for Friday: don’t overplan it. After a drive to New Hampshire, the best thing you can do is settle in. Stop for groceries on the way, pick up something easy for dinner, and give yourself a quiet evening. If you’re staying in a vacation rental, take advantage of having a real kitchen and comfortable gathering space: cook together, break out a board game, put on a movie. There’s something especially good about an evening inside when it’s cold out and you have nowhere else to be.

For larger groups, our Gunstock Cabin in Gilford has a downstairs game room with a pool table, a wet bar, and a 100-inch projector screen, a setup built for exactly the kind of evening where nobody wants to leave the house. If your group is smaller, our Beech Pond Cabin in Tuftonboro offers a quieter, wooded setting near Lower Beech Pond. Either way, keep the first night simple. You’ll have plenty of time to explore tomorrow.

Saturday Morning: Coffee, Small-Town Charm, and Lake Views

One of the best things about the Lakes Region is that its towns each have a distinct personality. For a relaxed winter morning, we’d pick one of two destinations, and which one makes sense genuinely depends on where you’re staying.

Option 1: Explore Downtown Wolfeboro

If you’re staying at Beech Pond Cabin in Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro is right next door and makes an easy morning destination. Known for its long history as a summer resort town, Wolfeboro has a charming downtown built around its waterfront. Start with coffee and breakfast, then spend some time exploring the shops along Main Street: browse a bookstore, duck into a shop you haven’t visited before, or walk toward the town docks for a look across the lake. One breakfast option worth considering is Seven Suns Café, known locally for its sweet and savory crepes and coffee; hours can shift seasonally, so it’s worth checking before you head out. Even a few minutes on the waterfront is worth it. Lake Winnipesaukee in winter looks nothing like Lake Winnipesaukee in August.

Option 2: Spend the Morning in Meredith

If you’re staying at The Gunstock Cabin in Gilford, Meredith is the more natural morning trip, a shorter drive along the western side of the lake than crossing over to Wolfeboro. Its downtown sits right along Meredith Bay, with shops, restaurants, and waterfront scenery close together. Grab coffee, browse the local shops, and take in the views. One nice option is the Meredith Sculpture Walk, a self-guided outdoor exhibition of more than 30 works of art displayed throughout the village, listed by the Lakes Region Tourism Association. It’s an easy way to get some fresh air without committing to a full hike, when sidewalks and weather allow. If the weather isn’t cooperating, find somewhere warm for another cup of coffee. That’s the beauty of a weekend without a packed schedule.

Saturday Afternoon: Choose Your Own Winter Adventure

Here’s where the weekend gets interesting, and depending on who’s traveling with you, there are a few directions to take.

Go ice skating in Wolfeboro. Looking for something active that doesn’t involve skis? Head to the Pop Whalen Ice & Arts Center, the town’s indoor ice arena, which hosts public skating sessions alongside its regular hockey and recreational programs. It’s a good option for families, couples, or groups looking to spend an hour doing something fun together, and you don’t need to be an experienced skater. Skate rentals are available in limited quantities and sizes, and public skating times can change, so check the current schedule before you go.

Visit Funspot in Laconia. Traveling with kids, or adults who still love a good arcade? Funspot is a classic Lakes Region stop, located in the Weirs Beach area of Laconia and recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest arcade in the world. You’ll find hundreds of classic video games and pinball machines alongside bowling and indoor miniature golf, plus the American Classic Arcade Museum, a nonprofit vintage-game collection housed on site. It’s an especially useful option when the weather isn’t cooperating, and unlike many lake-area attractions, Funspot operates year-round. Don’t promise the kids a quick stop; you might be there longer than planned.

Enjoy an afternoon at Hermit Woods Winery. For couples or groups of adults, this is one of our favorite recommendations. Located in downtown Meredith, Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery produces wines, ciders, and meads from fruit and ingredients that reflect the region rather than imported grapes, so it’s not your typical winery experience. The tasting room offers something different to explore, the on-site eatery serves locally inspired food, and The Loft, an intimate performance space, hosts live music and events throughout the year. A tasting followed by dinner or live music makes for a wonderful winter afternoon or evening. We’re especially glad to recommend it because Hermit Woods is one of our Blue Granite Experiences partners, and guests staying with us receive exclusive benefits through that relationship. Check the current event calendar before visiting if you’re hoping to catch a performance.

The tasting room at Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery in Meredith. Photo courtesy of Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery.

Visiting During the Holidays? Don’t Miss These Local Traditions

If you’re planning a trip in November or December, the Lakes Region has some wonderful seasonal events. Two in particular stand out for winter 2026.

Christmas at the Castle, Moultonborough. One of the most memorable holiday experiences in the area takes place at Castle in the Clouds, where the historic Lucknow Mansion is transformed for the holidays, with each room decorated by a different local business or organization. This year’s theme is An Old-Fashioned New England Christmas. Visitors can tour the decorated mansion, browse an artisan fair in the Carriage House, and enjoy seasonal treats and activities; the 2026 dates are planned for November 21–22, November 28–29, and December 5–6, with the main event running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mansion tours require a ticket, while the artisan fair is free to browse. This is the kind of event worth building a whole weekend around: visit the Castle Saturday, relax at the cabin that evening, and explore another nearby town on Sunday. Just remember the mansion’s regular touring season and its holiday programming are separate; don’t assume it’s open for ordinary tours the rest of the winter. Confirm current dates and ticket prices on the Castle’s own site before you go.

Wolfeboro Festival of Trees. Held at the Wright Museum of World War II, this annual tradition brings together decorated Christmas trees, local organizations, artisans, and community celebrations. The 2026 festival is planned for the weekends of December 5–6 and December 12–13. It’s an especially nice activity for families staying on the eastern side of the lake: spend part of the day at the festival, then explore downtown Wolfeboro before heading back to the cabin. One detail worth knowing: the Wright Museum’s regular season ends in October, so the Festival of Trees is a separate seasonal event, not a sign the museum is generally open through winter. Check the festival’s own schedule rather than assuming.

Coming Later in Winter? There’s Still Plenty Happening

The holidays aren’t the only reason to visit. Some of the Lakes Region’s most interesting winter traditions happen after the new year.

The New England Pond Hockey Classic. Every winter, Meredith hosts one of the region’s signature sporting events: outdoor hockey teams competing on Lake Winnipesaukee (in a low-ice year, the organizers have moved games to nearby Lake Waukewan instead). Even if you’re not playing, the tournament gives the community a different energy, and for hockey fans it’s a good reason to plan a trip. The 2027 tournament is scheduled for February 5–7, with the full schedule of events posted on the organizer’s site. Because the tournament depends on natural ice, always check for the latest updates before traveling, and remember that frozen lakes should never be treated as automatically safe for walking or recreation.

Winter programming at Castle in the Clouds. Beyond its holiday celebration, Castle in the Clouds typically adds winter programming to its calendar in December, which can include guided winter hikes and workshops depending on the season. If you’re interested in experiencing the outdoors without skiing, it’s worth checking the Castle’s current calendar for what’s available during your visit.

Sunday: One Last Slow Morning

There’s something about the last morning of a weekend getaway that makes you wish you’d booked another night. Our advice: don’t rush it. Make breakfast at the cabin, enjoy your coffee, and take a little extra time before packing up. If the weather’s beautiful, consider a scenic drive through one of the nearby lake communities; if it’s snowing, the best plan might be enjoying the view from inside. You don’t have to accomplish anything extraordinary on Sunday. Sometimes a weekend away is successful because you come home rested, and that’s a pretty good reason to visit New Hampshire in the first place.

Where to Stay for a Winter Weekend in the Lakes Region

Your accommodations can make a big difference in how the weekend feels. A hotel works for some trips, but when you’re traveling with family or friends, there’s something especially nice about a place where everyone can spend time together. A vacation rental gives you the flexibility to cook meals, enjoy comfortable common areas, and relax without feeling like you need to go out every evening. At Blue Granite Experiences, we currently offer two cabins with different personalities.

Beech Pond Cabin, Tuftonboro. Sleeping up to 7 guests across two bedrooms, including a bunk setup, and an open living space, our Beech Pond Cabin sits in a wooded neighborhood near Lower Beech Pond. It’s a comfortable option for smaller families and groups looking for a quieter escape, and a useful home base for exploring Wolfeboro, Moultonborough, and the eastern side of the Lakes Region.

The Gunstock Cabin, Gilford. For larger groups, The Gunstock Cabin sleeps up to 12 guests across three bedrooms, with a downstairs game room, pool table, projector screen, and outdoor fire pit to enjoy even when you aren’t out exploring. It’s particularly convenient for travelers who want to spend time around Gilford, Laconia, and Gunstock Mountain.

The Gunstock Cabin’s downstairs game room, built for an evening nobody wants to leave.

Both cabins are part of the Blue Granite Experiences collection, where we focus on comfortable stays, thoughtful details, and helping guests discover the local places that make the Lakes Region special. You can see everything that comes with a stay on our Blue Granite Experience page.

A Few Tips Before You Visit

Check the weather before driving, especially if snow is expected, and leave extra time between stops since smaller roads can be affected by winter conditions. Confirm restaurant hours and event schedules before leaving the cabin, since some Lakes Region businesses adjust their hours outside the summer season. Bring warm, waterproof footwear if you’re planning to explore downtown areas or spend time outdoors. And don’t feel obligated to fill every hour of the weekend: one or two memorable activities, a good meal, and plenty of time together usually make for a better trip than an exhausting itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Winter in the Lakes Region

Is Lake Winnipesaukee worth visiting in winter? Absolutely. While summer is the area’s busiest season, winter offers quieter towns, beautiful scenery, seasonal events, indoor attractions, and plenty of outdoor recreation.

What can you do near Lake Winnipesaukee if you don’t ski? Popular options include ice skating, visiting a local winery, exploring downtown Wolfeboro and Meredith, indoor attractions like Funspot, and seasonal festivals.

Are restaurants and attractions open during winter? Many are, though hours vary. We recommend checking individual businesses before visiting, especially around the holidays.

Where should families stay during a winter getaway? A vacation rental can be especially convenient for families, with shared living space, a kitchen, and room to relax together. Gilford and Tuftonboro are both worth considering, depending on which activities you want to prioritize.

When is the best time to visit the Lakes Region in winter? November and December are great for holiday events, while January and February offer a more traditional New England winter. Your ideal timing depends on whether you’re after festivals, outdoor activities, or simply a quiet getaway.

Your Winter Getaway Starts Here

You don’t need a packed itinerary, expensive equipment, or a full week off to enjoy winter in New Hampshire. Sometimes all you need is a comfortable cabin, a few good local recommendations, and the people you want to spend time with. Whether that means a wine tasting in Meredith, a holiday festival in Wolfeboro, or an evening playing games back at the cabin, there’s plenty to discover beyond the ski slopes. Explore our Lakes Region vacation rentals and start planning your next winter getaway.