In the hill-covered Lakes Region of the White Mountains, you’ll find New Hampshire’s largest lake and its 288 miles of shoreline. The shimmering blue waters of Lake Winnipesaukee are ideal for swimming, jumping off docks, and boating during the summer months. And you can spend days on a boat, hopping from island to island (there are 274 habitable ones) or simply floating the day away. The winter snowfall brings cross-country skiers and ice fishers.

But the appeal of staying near Lake Winnipesaukee isn’t merely the water but also the communities established on its shores. The largest city in the area is Laconia, where Victorian homes line the lakefront and Winnipesaukee Pier, chocolate shops, general stores, and vendors selling souvenirs offer a peek into the region’s heyday in the early 1900s. Just north of Laconia is the artistic little town of Meredith, and on the southeastern shore, you’ll find three small museums and colorful historic buildings in the town of Wolfeboro. At the northernmost part of the lake lies Moultonborough, a quieter and more rural town, where you’ll find some of the region’s most stunning European-style architecture.

Precipitation is high and steady throughout the year, with about seven days of rain each month, so be sure to pack waterproof layers and boots regardless of the season. The summer brings high daily temperatures with a bit of humidity that subsides as the sun goes down. It’s ideal weather for riding and boating, if you’re in town for the annual Motorcycle Week in June or to see prized boats at the boat show in July.

Fall is one of the most popular seasons for booking Lake Winnipesaukee house rentals as sweater weather returns and vivid foliage turns the area into an autumnal paradise. Winter brings plenty of snow, and the lake freezes over to make way for outdoor hockey games and ice fishing. Spring brings the big thaw and lots of mud, so you may want to pass up the hiking trails in favor of exploring the lakeside towns.

Laconia

Home to Weirs Beach, Winnipesaukee Pier, a drive-in theater, bowling lanes, arcades, and mini-golf courses, this lakeside city is the central hub of the Lakes Region. Dining options are plentiful, and you’ll find local restaurants specializing in farm-to-table cuisine, wood-paneled diners, cute cafes in residential neighborhoods, and lakeside steak and seafood lounges.

Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

For sweeping views of the lake and surrounding mountains that you can’t get from hiking or driving around, book a one- or two-hour train ride on this 19th-century rail system. You can board in Meredith or Weirs Beach, and there’s daily service during the summer, weekend rides throughout the spring, and even special fall foliage rides during the first months of autumn. Although you can snag some light snacks and drinks at the gift shop before you board, you’re also welcome to bring your own picnic on board.

Hiking

The Lakes Region is surrounded by temperate deciduous forests like the Belknap Mountain State Forest, where a popular trail will lead you up Mount Major. If you get an early start, you can beat the crowds and have the views of the lake to yourself.