The Seafood News
15 Things to Do Around Weirs Beach and Greater Laconia, NH
A rich history, seasonal events, beautiful lakeside scenery and an abundance of dining options and family-friendly activities combine to make Laconia, New Hampshire a top vacation destination.
Officially incorporated in 1893 and once a hub of the textile industry, Laconia sits on the doorstep of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, which makes it the perfect home base for visitors who want to experience everything the area has to offer — especially if getting out into the fresh air is high on the list. Here, the opportunities for hiking (or skiing in the winter), camping, wildlife viewing or just taking in the scenery are endless.
We don’t blame you if you’re already starting to pack your bags, we love it here and know you will too. To help you make the most of your trip to the greater Laconia area, we’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite spots to visit, eat and play. Keep reading to find out what they are!
Top 10 Things to Do in Laconia, NH
Bike Week: The Laconia Motorcycle Rally
5 Other Lakes Region, NH Attractions Worth Visiting
Laconia Area Resources & Recommendations
Top 10 Things to Do in Laconia, NH
If you’re looking for ways to fill up your itinerary during your trip, look no further! Here are 10 of our favorite things to do and places to visit in and around Laconia’s Weirs Beach neighborhood.
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad
211 Lakeside Avenue
Hop aboard an old-fashioned train for a one-hour journey along tracks that were once used by the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad. Take in beautiful views of the lake and the opulent vacation homes that line its shores as you ride the rails.
Weirs Drive-In Theater
76 Endicott Street
Fancy watching a film or two under the stars…from your car? If you’re in Laconia between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, you can do just that at the Weirs Drive-In Theater. Showtime is when it’s dark enough (which means movies tend to begin earlier on overcast days), and every showing is a double feature, so the fun lasts into the night.
Belknap Mill
25 Beacon Street East
If you’re a history buff, this is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. The mill building was built in 1823 and is the oldest largely unaltered brick textile mill in the country. Today, it’s home to the powerhouse and hosiery museums where you can see a Belknap Mill knitting machine in action. The Mill also hosts summer and winter concert series as well as an art gallery which features a rotating lineup of exhibits.
Endicott Rock State Historic Site
17 Endicott Street
Source: https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/endicott-rock-historic-site-(1)
As one of the oldest public monuments in New England, this is another top spot for history lovers. The site is home to a large rock of particular historical significance — it’s inscribed with the names and initials of prominent members of the Massachusetts Bay Colony who journeyed to the area on a surveying expedition in 1652. Admission to the site and surrounding park is free.
Weirs Beach
Located on the southern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, Weirs Beach is Laconia’s go-to neighborhood for summer fun. The area’s main draw is its beach, which is the perfect spot to spend the day or catch the Saturday Fireworks in July and August. There are plenty of other activities to do nearby if a beach day isn’t in the cards. Mini golf, go-karts, arcades and more are all right around the corner.
The Winnipesaukee Pier
263 Lakeside Avenue
There’s nowhere else in town where you can shop, grab a scoop of ice cream, sign up for waterskiing lessons and rent a boat all in the same spot. If you’d prefer to stay on land, the pier is home to multiple restaurants and shops, but if a day on the water is more your style, head here to sign up for watersports school or for pontoon boat, jet ski and even floating tiki hut rentals.
Daytona Fun Park
104 Endicott Street East
If you’re spending time in the area as part of a vacation with the whole family, Daytona Fun Park is a must-visit. With bumper boats, mini golf, batting cages and even a high ropes course all on site, there’s something here to keep everyone smiling. You can purchase admission to individual activities or choose the fun-time package option, which bundles the main attractions together at a discounted rate.
Funspot
579 Endicott Street North
Verified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest arcade in the world, Funspot is the place to go in Weirs Beach. You could easily spend the day here playing games like pinball, Pac-Man, or Skee-Ball but there’s much more to do once you’ve stopped by Prizeland to redeem all your tickets. Visit other fun activities like the bowling alley, mini golf course and the D.A. Long Tavern while you’re here.
Weirs Beach Go-Kart Track
582 Endicott Street North
Head here during the summer months for some friendly competition as you zoom along the Weirs Beach Go-Kart Track’s quarter-mile-long race course. Drivers must be at least 10 years old (and 56” tall), but kids aged 4-9 can ride along with an operator who’s 16 or older.
Lobster in the Rough
279 Lakeside Avenue
After spending a day in the summer sun, head here to relax and enjoy some of the best seafood on the lake. Fresh lobster rolls, steamed lobster dinners, friend seafood platters and so much more are on the menu — and did somebody say $5 margaritas? We’re serving them up all summer long!
Bike Week: The Laconia Motorcycle Rally
We can’t talk about Laconia and Weirs Beach without mentioning Laconia Motorcycle Week. “Bike Week” is the event that puts the city on the map and it’s been a yearly tradition since 1916, when a Gypsy Tour of riders camped along the shores of Weirs Beach for a few days in June. In the years since then, it’s grown in both scale and scope to include motorcycle demos, skills challenges, group rides and much more. Attendance has grown too, with the city welcoming upwards of 300,000 event-goers each year.
2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the event, and the festivities run from June 10-18.
5 Other Lakes Region, NH Attractions Worth Visiting
Once you’ve redeemed all your tickets at Funspot and cracked open some claws and tails at Lobster in the Rough, why not stop by these other area favorites for a visit?
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Holderness, NH
Source: https://www.nhnature.org/
Traveling with any nature lovers? If so then this is a spot you need to add to your itinerary. The center educates visitors about ecology and the natural world with live animal exhibits, science education programs and guided tours of nearby Squam Lake. If you’d rather explore on your own, that’s fine too — the live animal exhibit trail, hiking trails and nearby Kirkwood Gardens are all self guided experiences. Expect to see bobcats, foxes, bears, owls, bald eagles, turtles, and many more animals during your visit.
Gunstock Mountain Resort
Gilford, NH
A snowsports hub by winter and outdoor fun center in the summertime, Gunstock is the Lakes Region’s go-to spot for recreation. Enjoy activities like downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and tubing between early December and April. A visit during the warmer months comes with opportunities to camp, hike, take a zipline tour or a ride on the famous Mountain Coaster.
Weathervane Seafood Restaurant
Chichester, NH
Source: https://weathervaneseafoods.com/locations/weathervane-seafood-restaurants/chichester-nh/
Nothing says summer like a seafood dinner (or lunch!), especially when you’re enjoying your meal out on the patio. Our Chichester location offers plenty of outdoor seating so you can tuck into some lobster — or clams, scallops, combos or fried half & halfs — and soak up the sun while you’re at it. Stop in for a visit on your way to or from Weirs Beach; we can’t wait to see you.
Castle in the Clouds
Moultonborough, NH
This 20th century Arts and Crafts-style mansion overlooks Lake Winnipesaukee from its perch in the Ossipee Mountains. The home was built between 1913 and 1914 and originally served as the private residence of shoe industry tycoon Tom Plant and his wife Olive. Today, it’s open to the public from May through October for mainly self-guided tours (a staff-led tour of the basement area is also available). Other attractions on the grounds include hiking and walking trails, a restaurant and cafe and exhibit gallery located in the old carriage house.
Polar Caves Park
Rumney, NH
Source: https://www.catchingmarbles.com/2018/06/13/polar-caves-rumney-new-hampshire/
Want to get up close and personal with the inspiration for New Hampshire’s nickname? Hint: It’s also the official state rock. Polar Caves Park features nine granite caves that you can explore at your own pace via illuminated walkways. You’ll learn a little something as you go, too — informational checkpoints are posted at intervals along the route you’ll follow. When you’re done spelunking, pay a visit to the animal park, picnic ground and on-site nature trails.
Laconia-Area Resources & Recommendations
Still need some ideas for your visit to the Laconia area? This selection of helpful resources and recommendations will make your planning easier:
Resources for Visitors
- Visiting the City on the Lakes
- Visitor Information
- Where to Stay — Lakes Region Hotels, Resorts, Cabins and More
Free Time Recommendations
- 12 Best Things to Do in Laconia, New Hampshire
- Attractions — Tons of Fun in the Lakes Region
- Things to Do in Laconia, NH with Kids
- Where To Play — Fun Things to Do In New Hampshire’s Lakes Region
