As the last bright weeks of summer streak by, we can still catch plenty of glimmering moments before we land on the solid earth of September, with all its back-to-school, back-to-work energy.

And despite the noticeably earlier sunsets and dropping temps at this time of year, there are still plenty of summery things to do in the Lakes Region — on both the dog days and the cooler ones. Here are a few late-summer options to add to your Lakes Region vacation itinerary.

1. Play Paintball on New England’s Largest Field

Whether you’ve dreamed of battling aliens in Area 51, living inside the video game HALO, or warding off the enemy from inside a medieval castle, OSG Paintball has you covered. With 13 fully themed outdoor courses spread across 43 acres, it’s the largest paintball field in New England. If your group isn’t big enough to make up two teams, no worries — walk-ons are welcome every Friday beginning at 3 p.m.; you’ll join a team with other individuals or small groups. OSG also offers special events like Cage vs. Cage on September 8, featuring missions from Nicolas Cage movies like The Rock and National Treasure. Visit their website for rates and to book time for ages 9 and up.

2. Look Upward at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

This nonprofit science museum in Concord, New Hampshire, is dedicated to two local space celebrities: Christa McAuliffe, the Concord High School Social Studies teacher selected by NASA to be the first Teacher in Space, and Alan Shepard, a native of Derry, New Hampshire, who became the first American in space and one of only 12 humans to walk on the Moon. You can land the Space Shuttle via simulator, view the skies through a state-of-the-art Sun Scope in the Observatory, climb aboard a Kitfox aircraft, and experience what it might be like to live, work, sleep, and eat on a lunar base. The museum’s annual AerospaceFest, set for September 21 this year, includes guest exhibitors, science-based activities, and the debut of a new planetarium show, “We Are Guardians,” which looks at the interconnection between our planet and its people.

3. Experience Lake Winnipesaukee by Boat

The largest lake in New Hampshire, the 72-square-foot-mile Lake Winnipesaukee (its name means “The Smile of the Great Spirit”) is the ideal place to savor the final days of summer. Created 50,000 years ago during the last glacial period, Lake Winni is lined with wooded coastlines, biking and hiking trails, public beaches, and nature preserves, and it’s known for its great fishing — for salmon, rainbow trout, pickerel, bass, and more. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards at the EKAL Activity Center; add tubing to your day on the lake with Winnipesaukee Boat Tours or Daleys Adventure Boat Tours; or rent a pontoon boat at North Water Marine. Want to explore Squam Lake as well? Opt to take a cruise with a naturalist through Squam Lake Cruises.

4. See the Lakes Region by Train

Choo-choo through the Lakes Region and the White Mountains aboard the Granite State Scenic Railway. The cutest little train on tracks, it click-clacks along the western shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Pemigewasset River, and Lake Winnisquam. Hop aboard for a one-hour round-trip journey to and from Weirs Beach or a two-hour train tour from the village of Meredith. Or stay on the rails, under your own power, with a guided rail-bike trip with Scenic Rail Riders, through woods, farmland, and along the Merrimack River, on two-seat or four-seat bikes.

5. Spend a Day at Moulton Farm

Bring the kiddos to Moulton Farm in Meredith — a one-stop fun spot for the whole family. From the “Little Sprouts at Moulton Farm” event series to bouquet-making workshops and seasonally inspired menus at the food truck, there’s no shortage of activities for all ages. Be sure to stock up on produce before heading home (click here to see what the farm is currently harvesting).

6. Cruise on a Classic Craft

Sail in style on a 28-foot replica of a classic 1928 mahogany Hacker-Craft. Launch on the Millie B or Miss Lauren for a 45-minute tour of Lake Winni, packed with stories about the local geology and wildlife, as well as the historic figures and lakeside architecture from the golden age of boating. These classic “woodies” are owned by the New Hampshire Boat Museum, which also boasts a permanent collection of over 2,500 objects, including vintage motorboats, canoes, rowboats, rowing sculls, ice boats, and a steamboat.

7. Explore Natural Wonders

Forged by the elemental alchemy of the last Ice Age, the dramatic landscapes of the Polar Caves and Lost River Gorge are formed by jagged rock walls and fallen boulders that create mysterious caverns and passageways. At Lost River Gorge in Kinsman Notch, you can travel along a suspension bridge and climb into a treehouse and the Giant Bird Nest to view the gorgeous surroundings, including a waterfall and miles of forest. At Polar Caves, shimmy through nine granite caves linked by stairs and walkways, and feel the ancient chill still lingering from eons ago. It’s the perfect segue into the cooler days to come.

The ideal summer playground for outdoor enthusiasts, active adventurers, arts and culture lovers, and everyone in between, the Lakes Region offers no shortage of ways to soak up these late-summer days. To discover more of the Lakes Region this season, browse our itineraries and events pages.