Set in central New Hampshire, Lake Sunapee and its surrounding towns offer a peaceful escape. Today, we are going to explore three towns near Lake Sunapee, NH - the charming communities of Newbury, New London, and Sunapee.
Newbury
Situated along the southern end of Lake Sunapee, Newbury, New Hampshire is well known as home to Mount Sunapee Ski Resort. In the summertime, Mount Sunapee transforms from a winter playground to a thrilling adventure park featuring downhill mountain biking and an aerial ropes course! You can also try your hand at disc golf, or catch stunning views of Lake Sunapee on an aerial sky ride. For those seeking a slower pace, the mountain has some of the prettiest hiking trails in the region.
Newbury Harbor is also worth a visit. Our recommendation is to get a bite to eat at Bubba's Bar & Grill or grab an ice cream and take in the lake views from the town docks.
In July, enjoy Newbury Old Home Day, an annual event held on the second Saturday in July. The festivities include live music, great food, a variety of vendors, demonstrations, and fireworks.
Another unique Newbury destination worth visiting is John Hay Estate at The Fells. Set on over 83 acres, you can explore a 20th-century summer estate, tour the historic gardens, and wander the winding forested trails that take you to more than a half mile of undeveloped Lake Sunapee shoreline.
New London
Just a short drive from Newbury lies New London, New Hampshire, a vibrant town full of community spirit. Here you can enjoy the picturesque town center where you'll find shops, restaurants, cafes and art galleries. During the summer, the New London Barn Playhouse offers live theatre where you can enjoy an evening out, or take in a matinee. The town of New London borders Lake Sunapee, but is also home to two other beautiful area lakes - Little Lake Sunapee and Pleasant Lake. Both offer public boat launches and if you're a town resident, you can enjoy the town beaches.
When visiting New London, we always recommend stopping by Spring Ledge Farm and strolling through their beautiful flowers. They also sell their own locally grown produce and a variety of regionally sourced meats, cheeses, and more. In June, we recommend visiting their strawberry fields located on Pleasant Street near Pleasant Lake. During the summer, they offer a cut flower garden where you can create your own bouquet.
Knights Hill Nature Park (KHNP) is another New London destination worth visiting. Consisting of nearly 100 acres of natural habitat, KHNP serves as both a protected wildlife area and a peaceful retreat for people looking to get into nature. View their trail map to learn more about this special spot. (note: pets are not allowed in the park.)
Sunapee
Set on the western side of Lake Sunapee, sits the town of Sunapee, New Hampshire. Sunapee Harbor is a sought after destination to visit from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Browse fresh produce and local products at the Sunapee Farmer's Market, or time your visit to enjoy a live music performance at The Livery.
We always recommend walking The Riverway and strolling across the Sugar River Bridge. From here you can circle around to Prospect Hill Antiques, a beautiful store and art gallery.
Sunapee Cruises offers scenic tours of the lake. The M.V. Sunapee Lake Queen embarks nightly on a two-hour dinner cruise featuring a narrated history of the lake. During the afternoons, the M.V. M.T. Sunapee II offers a 1.5-hour tour with an open-air top deck experience. Visit their website to reserve tickets.
A trip to Sunapee would not be complete without a stop at Sanctuary Dairy Farm to enjoy handcrafted ice cream or sorbet! On Saturdays and Sundays, they offer breakfast from 7:00 to 11:00 am, and you can even order pancakes topped with their homemade maple ice cream!
Lake Sunapee Real Estate
As beautiful as these three towns are to visit, many visitors choose to end up calling this region home. If you're interested in homes for sale in the towns near Lake Sunapee, make sure to take a look at our just listed property search.
For those interested in Lake Sunapee real estate or prefer a home with waterfront access, this search is for you!
We often receive questions regarding waterfront communities on Lake Sunapee, this post explores five lakefront associations you want to know about.
To learn more about living in these towns or real estate for sale in the Sunapee region, contact The O'Halloran Group.
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