DAY 1 – Salem, Derry, Londonderry, Manchester, Concord
After a hearty breakfast at one of Salem’s many restaurants, bring your group to explore America’s Stonehenge, a 4,000 year old megalithic site and astronomical calendar built by an ancient culture. This Travelocity named “insider spot” is a maze of man-made chambers, walls and ceremonial meeting places. Various inscriptions have been found throughout the site including Ogham, Phoenician and Iberian Punic Script. America’s Stonehenge is most likely the oldest man-made construction in the United States. They are open daily, year-round with snowshoe rentals in the winter for walking through their 105 acres of woodlands and wildlife. Other: Gift shop and Alpacas.105 Haverhill Road (off Route 111 from Exit 3 off I-93), Salem NH 03079. Admission: Adults $9 / Seniors 65+ $8 / Ages 6-12 $6 / children 5 and under $0. Discounted group rates available. www.stonehengeusa.com (603) 893-8300.
The Children’s Metamorphosis Museum (The Met) in Derry is minutes north of Salem at Exit 4 of I-93. The Met is an interactive children’s museum filled with fun and developmental-oriented activities. They run a variety of programs and workshops year-round. Open Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday. 6 West Broadway, #24 Derry 03038. Admission: $5 per person over the age of one. www.childrensmet.org (603) 425-2560.
The Salem and Derry area are also home to some great downtown and mall shopping.
A local and group favorite for lunch is The Homestead Restaurant in Londonderry. Their 1810 renovated Colonial Farmhouse has seven intimate dining rooms (many with fireplaces), a lounge and outdoor patio seating. They are located off Exit 4 of I-93 at176 Mammoth Road, (off Route 102) in Londonderry. They are open daily for lunch (and dinner) with a Sunday brunch. www.homesteadnh.com (603) 437-2022.
After lunch, head north up I-93 to Manchester (5 minutes). At the highway split, bear left onto Route 293/101. You can spend the afternoon at the Mall of New Hampshire (603- 669-0434) at Exit 1 or continue on to Route 293 North at the next highway split to the historic West Side of Manchester. (Note: Exit 2 off I-293 is where the Manchester-Boston International Airport is located.) The Mall of New Hampshire features anchor stores, Macy’s JCPenney, Sears and Best Buy along with 125 specialty stores, 4 full-service restaurants and a 550-seat Food Court and they are handicap accessible. www.simon.com
The Manchester Millyard District is our next destination -- across the Merrimack River off Exit 5 off I-293. Driven by the powerful Amoskeag Falls, these historic cotton-textile mills were once the largest in the country. At its peak, just before World War I, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company employed 16,000 people and operated 24,400 looms that produced 471 miles of cloth each day. Today the mill buildings are being renovated to house everything from offices to restaurants to storefronts and even college/university campus’.
The SEE Science Center at 200 Bedford Street (Mill No. 3) in Manchester has two floors of hands-on science fun for kids and the young at heart. The museum is home to The LEGO® Millyard Project, the largest permanent LEGO® installation at minifigure scale in the world. It represents Manchester’s Amoskeag Millyard as it might have looked in 1915 and when complete will have more than two million LEGO® bricks, none of which were specially made. Open daily, year-round. Admission: $5 per person ages 1 and up. Group program options available. Upcoming Exhibits include the all new DINOSAURS! Featuring accurately proportioned, state-of-the-art computer controlled dinosaurs, (Jan 13, 2007-May 13, 2007). www.see-sciencecenter.org (603) 669-0400.
In the same building, tour the Manchester Millyard Museum. The museum features the permanent exhibit, Woven in Time: 11,000 Years at Amoskeag Falls, that tells the story of Manchester and the people who have lived and worked there beginning with the Native Americans, through the early farmers, the textile mills and finally to the 21st century. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday. Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors and college students. Children 6-18 $2; under 6 $0. www.manchesterhistoric.org (603) 622-7531.
After your museum tours, head North again on I-293 until it merges with I-93. Continue North on I-93 through the tolls ($.75) to Concord, the Capital of New Hampshire. (Travel time – 15 minutes). At Exit 15W, 70 Constitution Avenue, in Concord, find the Courtyard by Marriott & Grappone Conference Center. The Courtyard is a AAA, 3 diamond non-smoking facility with a restaurant, lounge, high-speed internet, pool, fitness club, and spacious rooms with lots of amenities. Take a moment to check into your rooms and freshen up for dinner and a show. www.courtyardconcord.com (603) 225-0303.
For dinner, you can’t beat The Common Man on Water Street. Get back on I-93 and head South for a mile or two to Exit 13. The colonial styled barn/restaurant is part of the famous Great American Dining family serving Great American Fare – that’s lots of fresh seafood, roast prime rib, country meat loaf, hearty soups and sandwiches and tons more. After dinner, head upstairs to their pub to relax on comfortable couches for dessert or cocktails. Function rooms are available for groups of 12-70. Open daily at 5pm. Sunday brunch. www.thecman.com (603) 228-DINE.
DAY 2 – Concord, Sunapee Lake (Newbury), Lake Winnipesaukee (Meredith, Weirs Beach)
Start day two of your with breakfast at the Courtyard by Marriott in their Courtyard Café. Head South on I-93 for a couple minutes to the intersection of I-89. Head North on I-89 to Exit 8 (approximately 20 minutes). Proceed through the village of Warner on Route 103 and take a right on to Kearsarge Mountain Road to the Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum where you can embark on a fascinating journey into the world of the American Indian. Their guided tours take you through 12,000 years of history, with over 1,000 artifacts on display representing native material culture of yesterday and today. Outdoor Medicine Woods Nature Trail, museum store offering a unique array of crafts created by Indian artisans and books. Programs, group tours and rates available. Hours: daily May-Oct. Nov. and Dec. weekends. Admission: Adults $8.50; Children 6-12 years $6.50; Seniors $7.50. www.indianmuseum.org (603) 456-3244.
From the Indian Museum continue on Route 103 to Bradford and then onto Newbury and the 4085 acre Sunapee Lake where you will find the Rosewood Barn & Gallery, New England’s source for solid Rosewood Furniture at wholesale prices. Explore their three-story post & beam barn filled with heirloom quality solid wood furniture that is handcrafted by skilled craftsmen at the base of the Himalayan Mountains. www.rosewoodgallery.net (603) 763-2882.
Sunapee Lake is one of New Hampshire’s gems. Take a boat cruise on the MV Sunapee II or rent a boat and make arrangements to hire your own fishing guide from Tight Lines Fishing Service to hone your skills and spend some time relaxing on the bay. www.nhfishguide.com (603) 526-9299. Need some beach time? Try the Sunapee State Park Beach, open daily with a boat launch, canoe and kayak rentals.
Murphy’s Grille at the Best Western Sunapee Lake Lodge on Route 103 offers great casual dining for lunch and dinner. Murphy's serves an abundant selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrees and a complete children's menu, along with a full selection of beverages including microbrews and specialty drinks. Groups are welcome. www.sunapeelakelodge.com (603) 763-3113.
After lunch head north on Route 103A where you will find The Fells a few minutes up the road. The Fells is an historic estate and gardens on Lake Sunapee. It is a fine example of an early 20th century summer estate with outstanding gardens. The 164-acre estate includes Colonial Revival buildings, the Main House, which is open for historic tours Memorial Day through Columbus Day, a wildlife refuge and hiking trails. Group tours available. Admission: $6 adults; $2 children 6-15; $0 five and under. Shop and Main House hours are limited. Grounds are open dawn to dusk, year-round. www.thefells.org (603) 763-4789.
Continue up Route 103A to Route 114 West. Route 114 will take you through the village of New London to Route 11 North. Follow scenic Route 11 to Route 4 in Potter Place. Take Route 4 to Danbury and then Grafton. In Grafton, your group can try their hands at mining at Ruggles Mine, the oldest mica, and feldspar mine in the United States atop of Isinglass Mountain. Collect your own minerals, take in the spectacular panoramic views, shop the gift and mineral shop and tour the museum. Snack bar and picnic area. Groups welcome. Admission: Adults $20; Children 4-11, $10; Under 4, $0. www.rugglesmine.com (603) 523-4275.
Head back down Route 4 to Danbury and take Route 104 East to Bristol (approximately 10 miles) and the Newfound Lake Region. At the light in Bristol, turn right onto Route 104.
(For a great side-trip for smaller groups, turn left at the light and head north approximately 3-4 miles. On your right, across from the Bridgewater Fire Department, find a true gem, Northstar Gems. Northstar is a jewelry supply store with rocks, minerals, gemstone beads, native American jewelry, books, crystal balls, scented oils, fossils, rock sculptures and more. Open Tues-Sun year-round. www.nstargems.com (603) 744-6338.)
Follow Route 104 for 5 miles, just past the highway overpass, you’ll find our home, the Lakes Region Association office. Stop in for brochures, maps, directions and guidebooks. We’d love to see your group. Continue on Route 104 until it ends at the intersection of Route 3 (approximately 7-10 minutes). Turn left onto Route 3. At the bottom of the hill, at the next light, find your evening destination, The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls. Make your reservations for one of their 4 elegant country inns on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee on Meredith Bay. The Inns offer a full service spa, pools, fitness facility, marketplace shops, function space to accommodate 4-300 people and several on-site restaurants. Take a moment to check in to your rooms and freshen up for dinner. We’ve selected a few choices for you. 312 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith NH 03253. www.millfalls.com (603) 279-7006.
Back up the road, at the lights, find Hart’s Turkey Farm. Their home-style menu includes turkey, prime rib, steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. Hart’s has it’s own bakery and even makes their own ice cream. They are handicap accessible and family friendly. Large groups are welcome. www.hartsturkeyfarm.com (603) 279-6212
Within the Inns at Mill Falls, www.millfalls.com are the Lakehouse at Church Landing [(603) 279-5221] with casual dining in an Adirondack style setting overlooking the lake and Lago Trattoria at the Inn at Bay Point [(603) 279-2253] where diners can enjoy authentic Old World Italian cuisine. Both restaurants are part of the Common Man/Great American Dining Family of Restaurants. www.thecman.com. For smaller groups try the award-winning Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristorante in the Mill Falls Marketplace for all your Italian favorites including great pizza from their wood-fired ovens. www.giuseppesnh.com (603) 279-3313. On the North side of the Inns is a local favorite, Mame’s, in a quaint 1825 brick village home. (603) 279-4631 www.mamesrestaurant.com.
Dinner and Entertainment Options: Make it a night with a dinner/dance cruise on the M/S Mount Washington as it makes it way around the magnificent Lake Winnipesaukee [www.cruisenh.com (603) 279-5531] or head down to Patrick’s Pub and Eatery in Gilford (5-10 minutes) for an evening of great food and entertainment – live music, comedy every Thursday with Boston’s best comics, and big screen Tvs. www.patrickspub.com (603) 293-1841.
After dinner, head South down Route 3 (5-8 minutes) to the famous Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. Just over the Weirs Channel Bridge get your show tickets for professional summer theatre productions at The Winnipesaukee Playhouse. Call us or the playhouse for list of shows and dates to schedule in advance. www.winniplayhouse.com (603) 366-7377.
DAY 3 (Lakes tour – Meredith, Center Harbor, Holderness, Ashland)
Have breakfast at the Inns or walk to the village of Meredith to the Village Perk Coffee House and Deli for micro-roasted coffees, expresso, latte, cappuccino, mocha, tea, chai, iced beverages and pasteries. 48 Main Street, Meredith NH 03253 (603) 279-5975.
Start the day with some early morning shopping at the Mill Falls Marketplace. Be sure stop in at Adornments/ Unique Jewelry & Apparel [www.adornmentsnh.com (603) 279-4349] in the Marketplace and Lady of the Lake in the Chase House Inn of Mill Falls
[ www.ladyofthelakenh.com (603)279-9967]. A mile up the road find the World Headquarters of the famous Annalee Mobilitee Dolls, featuring the largest display of Annalee Dolls in the world. Be sure and visit their museum while your there. Annalee’s entrance is above the intersection of Routes 3 and 104. www.annalee.com (603) 279-3333
Also above the intersection within walking distance of Meredith’s downtown, is Burlwood Antique Center with three floors and over 175 dealers. Burlwood prides itself on the quality of their antiques, you’ll find no reproductions or junk. www.burlwood-antiques.com (603) 279-6387.
Off Route 104, 2 miles up Winona Road is The Old Print Barn, a full service art gallery. The gallery is located in a large 1790 barn. The Old Print Barn is one of the largest galleries in New England with two floors of quality art on exhibit and for sale. www.lakesregion.org/oldprintbarn (603) 279-6479. Five minutes away in New Hampton, Your Stuff Antique & Décor invites you to shop in their big old barn full of unique things to turn your house into your home – Antiques, found objects, arts and collectibles. (603) 279-3366.
On Route 3 in Meredith (all still in walking distance from the Inns) is the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen with juried fine crafts designed and created by NH Artisans [www.nhcrafts.org (603) 279-7920] and for the sports enthusiast, Meredith Harley Davidson/Buell and Polaris. Their very large store features equipment, parts, accessories, sales, service, clothing, collectibles and rider education. www.meredith-hd.com (603) 279-4526
If you didn’t make the trip on the M/S Mount Washington for their dinner/dance cruise, head down to Weirs Beach to pick up the 10am or 12:30pm, 2.5 hour scenic/luncheon cruise of the Lake Winnipesaukee. Tickets: Adults $24; Children 4-12 $10; Under 4 $0. Lake Winnipesaukee and the surrounding Mountain Ranges are a true sight to behold and should not be missed! www.cruisenh.com
For lunch, head up Route 25 from the lights in Meredith to the quaint, rustic-styled Canoe Restaurant and Tavern overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee in Center Harbor. Canoe has a full menu with a wide variety of American fare. www.eatatcanoe.com (603) 253-4762
After lunch, if you have crafters onboard, a “must-stop” is Keepsake Quilting at Senter’s Marketplace, just moments past Canoe. Keepsake Quilting, PatternWorks and Keepsake NeedleArts have the largest selection of fabrics and yarns in America. www.keepsakequilting.com (603) 253-4026. Just below the marketplace find Centre Harbor Cellars, a specialty shop offering distinctive wines, cheeses, gourmet items and accessories. www.centreharborcellars.com (603) 253-9463.
From Center Harbor Village, take Route 25B to the end. Turn right onto Route 3 North towards Holderness. In Holderness Village at the foot of the Squam Lakes, your group can select from the following activities:
*The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center – Explore the trails of the Science Center where you will find black bear, deer, mountain lions, bobcats, fox, rapture and more. Each habitat is specifically designed to provide a natural setting for its inhabitants and to educate viewers with hands-on activities. Kirkwood Gardens, gift shop, educational programs year-round. Group rates available. Admission: Adults $13; Seniors 65+ $11; Youth 3-15 $9; 2 and under $0. www.nhnature.org (603) 968-7194
* The Squam Lakes Inn Red Barn Shop – a newly renovated barn featuring a collection of unique home and garden products. Have a snack at their café. www.squamlakeinn.com (603) 968-BARN.
* Experience Squam Private Boat Excursions – a 21’ bowrider for up to 9 people. Relax, swim, view wildlife, fish, tour historic Church Island and “On Golden Pond” movie sights. www.experiencesquam.com (603) 968-3990.
After your fun-filled third-day of our tour, we can suggest dinner & accommodations for the night or if it’s time for you to leave the Lakes Region, continue on Route 3 North to Ashland. In Ashland, you can get on I-93 at Exit 24. Ashland is approximately 40 – 45 minutes North of Concord and is the geographic center of New Hampshire.
Holderness/Ashland Dinner Choices:
Walter’s Basin, Holderness www.waltersbasin.com (603) 968-4412
Manor on Golden Pond, Holderness www.manorongoldenpond.com (603) 968-3348
The Common Man, Ashland www.thecman.com (603) 968-7030
Holderness/Ashland Accommodations:
Squam Lakes Inn, Holderness www.squamlakeinn.com (603) 968-4417
Manor on Golden Pond, Holderness www.manorongoldenpond.com (603) 968-3348
Cottage Place on Squam Lake, Ashland www.cottageplaceonsquam.com (603) 968-7116
The Glynn House Bed & Breakfast, Ashland www.glynnhouse.com (603) 968-3775
Comfort Inn, Ashland www.comfortinn.com/hotel/nh022 (603) 968-7668
Cheney House Bed & Breakfast, Ashland www.cheneyhouse.com (603) 968-4499
Bethelwoods Campground and Inn, Holderness www.bethelwoods.com (603) 279-6266
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Paid in Part by the NH Division of Travel & Tourism. For statewide group travel information 603-271-2665,