Wolfeboro New Hampshire is located in the heart of the Lakes Region in a lovely bay on the southeast shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. The border with Maine is only about ten miles away, and Portsmouth is only about forty miles to the southeast. Wolfeboro trips also place you within fifteen miles of Route 93, the main south to north highway from Boston, so a Wolfeboro vacation gives you access to the beautiful White Mountains that cover most of the northern part of the state. In addition, there are numerous rewarding things to do in Wolfeboro if you stay only in the area around the town.

Governor John Wentworth granted the town to four Portsmouth men in 1759, and it was named for the British hero (James Wolfe) of the 1759 Battle of Quebec, the deciding battle in the Seven Years War between England and France. The town was settled in 1768 and incorporated in 1770. A summer Wolfeboro vacation was popular as early as 1771 when Governor Wentworth built a summer estate on Lake Wentworth. This is now one of the state parks, offering hiking trails and water activities. Today, the motto of Wolfeboro New Hampshire is “The Oldest Summer Resort in America,” and it is one of the most popular resorts in the state. It’s also a popular retirement community, and there are many things to do in Wolfeboro that attract both vacationers and retirees.

The town began as a farming community, and agriculture is still very important in the area. There are several farms in the area, including those that are Wolfeboro hotels, providing lodging and unique farm-based vacation activities. People from all over New England make Wolfeboro trips simply to visit the pick-your-own farms that put fresh local produce and products on the tables of most of the local dining spots. At the end of the Civil War, the railroads came to Wolfeboro New Hampshire as they did to communities across the state. The historic Mount Washington steamboat made its first stop in the bay in 1872, and modern tourism began to flourish.

New Hampshire Map

As the town is on the largest of the state’s lakes, and surrounded by other lakes and ponds, high on the list of any Wolfeboro vacation are summer water sports and activities. These include boating, swimming off the town beaches, and fishing. Numerous festivals and events occur in the protected bay, including a Fourth of July fireworks spectacle, and the three-day Great Waters Music Festival in July with performances by some of the most respected folk artists in the country. Residents and visitors alike also take Wolfeboro trips by boat to other attractions dotting the huge lake, including Meredith and Weirs Beach, and there are a number of golfing venues nearby.

The town is a center for antique shops and galleries, and dealers from Boston and New York will combine a Wolfeboro vacation with some serious shopping. Wolfeboro is one of the main southern routes for the autumn foliage season “leaf peepers.” This is a beautiful time of year, and the state takes this popular season so seriously that it posts a day-by-day online calendar detailing exactly what leaves are turning what color in what places during the months of September and October.

Winter is for skiing at the many nearby ski resorts as well as cross country skiing, snowmobiling, show shoeing, and winter festivals. For a taste of history, other things to do in Wolfeboro include visiting the Wright Museum (dedicated to the impact of World War II on the region) and the fascinating New Hampshire Boat Museum, with a wonderful collection of vintage mahogany and antique boats.

Wolfeboro trips have numerous lodging options, from fine resorts and charming bed and breakfast inns to cheap motels and camping sites.