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I need your recommendations on where to rent a vacation home for our stay in October. Those that know the state well. (not me)
Would you recommend the Lakes area or the White Mountain area? I plan on traveling all over the place so a nice central place to "base" from would be fine.
Fortunately, NH is a small state so it doesn't take long to get from the lakes to the mountains.
I would say that the best central base would be Lincoln / Woodstock or Conway. Both spots are located within the White Mountains but a short distance from the lakes (roughly 30 minutes). These towns are fairly touristy, and can get busy during peak foliage, but the main advantage is that there's lots to do, including for the kids, especially in Lincoln. Mini-golf, Clark's Trading Post, caves on top of Loon Mtn., the Flume up in Franconia Notch, etc. Story Land in Glen (north of Conway) is another good idea for the kids.
The other best option, if you can't find anything in Lincoln or Conway, would probably be Meredith / Weirs Beach on Lake Winnepesaukee. There's plenty of stuff to do here (including FunSpot, a giant arcade with candlepin bowling, go-karts, and more). Plus you can go for strolls along the lake and so forth. And you're still only 45 minutes from Lincoln.
There are some other beautiful towns, like Sandwich and Tamworth, which are in a great central location between the lakes and the mountains and relatively off the beaten path (very peaceful), but there's not much to do there. Definitely worth a stop though.
You could try to find a house to rent in one of the smaller towns central to both regions. Freedom, Madison, Eaton, Tamworth...there wouldn't be any nightlife, but if you're going to be doing your own cooking anyway, you might as well be in a charming town. You'd probably have access to town beaches as well.
North Conway does have a lot to do (for the area) - a children's museum, Cog Railway, mini-golf, and of course outlets and restaurants. All of those things are on a high-traffic, built-up strip though so it depends what you're looking for.
Wolfeboro is nice too. There's a boat museum there and shops and restaurants and although it is pretty touristy it's kept a lot of charm. Obviously, the main thing to do is rent boats or take a ferry. Meredith has a boardwalk and a railroad for kids.
In terms of seeing NH at its best, I think you can't go wrong with a classic small town. Another option would be to try something like this family resort:
Thanks Coutrylv. This place is the greatest. Everyone here has been very nice and very helpful. I look forward to passing these traits on as I travel through your beautiful state and hopefully become a resident someday.
For now: however, we will have to settle for one or to trips back a year.
I'll take all I can get.
Location: 05 to present Venice, Fla 91-05 Manchester, NH
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That's a tough one.
Foliage peak is Columbus Day weekend - especially traffic.
I might pick ?? Plymouth - not far from either and out of the mainstream but has great access to Rt 93.
You will want to go to North Conway (except Columbus day weekend ) via the "Kank" Highway ( Lincoln to Conway ) and then maybe a Mt Washington trip. Also love a drive around the whole Lake Winnepesaukee.
You may also love Meredith up near tip of the Big lake and also near Lake Squam ( Golden Pond ).
Also try Ossippee or Tamworth on the Rt 16 side just south of Conway.
Good access to both needs.
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