Whether you want to rent a boat for the day, splash around a water park with the family, or relax on a leisurely paddle around the lake, you’ll find endless ways to experience all things aquatic on your summer Lakes Region getaway.

Here, we’re diving into five ways to make the most of your time surrounded by New Hampshire’s stunning lakes — from waterfront dining options to boat tours and family-friendly water parks.

1. get out on the boat

For a day out on the lake on your own schedule, make plans to rent a boat from one of the area’s many marinas. The Meredith Marina & Boating Center offers a collection of deck boats and pontoons, available for half-day and daily rentals through October. For those seeking a Squam Lake experience, Holderness Harbor is the go-to spot to rent boats — whether you’re looking for a Boston Whaler, fishing boat, or pontoon boat. At the Winnisquam Marine, you can also rent from a wide selection of rowboats, ski boats, and pontoon boats for a fun spin around Lake Winnisquam.

Find more marinas for boat rentals.

If you’d rather not do the driving on your boating experience, let an experienced captain guide you instead! With Lake Winnipesaukee Boat Tours, Captain Bill will whisk you and your crew of up to 14 people around New Hampshire’s largest lake, offering close-up views of the scenic islands. Traveling for a bachelor(ette) party? Consider Winnipesaukee on Pond Tunes for a true party cruise, complete with the loudest sound system on the lake, or Daleys Adventure Boat Tours, which earned a Tripadvisor 2025 Travelers’ Choice Award for the fifth year in a row. Or, embark on a quieter, relaxing sunset cruise with North Water Marine Pontoon Charters aboard a luxury Coach pontoon.

Discover additional boat tours around the Lakes Region.

2. burn some energy with watersports

Your lake day can go beyond simply cruising along the waters. For the summer vacationers who want to break a sweat, choose from one of the Lakes Region’s watersports companies. The Saco River — one of the state’s most popular tubing destinations — is home to the Saco River Tubing Center. (Don’t let the name fool you: they offer much more than tubing — including rope swings and canoe and kayak rentals.) For Lake Winnipesaukee watersports, check out EKAL Activities Center at Mill Falls, which provides everything from paddleboards to aqua trikes for pedaling around Meredith Bay.

3. splash around a water park

Whale’s Tale Water Park in Lincoln has scooped up several awards over its 30 years in operation, including ranking as a TripAdvisor 2024 Top Waterpark in the U.S. The 17-acre park has rides and water activities for all ages (think: flowboarding at Akua Beach, lazy rivers, water slides, and a whale-shaped, heated pool called Castaway Cove).

Haven’t had your fill of amusement parks just yet? Bring the little ones over to Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire, which is home to a new farm-themed play area called “Moo Lagoon.” Open through September 14, the play area boasts more than 50 water features, including a slide tower, splash pad, and water fountains.

4. relax on a leisurely paddle

Sometimes, you want a more subdued, laid-back lake energy — one that allows you to really drink in the views and enjoy a moment of stillness. With the help of Winni Water Sports, you can rent a floating chair (complete with a cupholder!) or water mat for the ultimate waterfront relaxation.

There are also several local companies that offer kayak and canoe rentals for leisurely travels along the water, including Wild Meadow Paddlesports, Parafunalia, and Newfound Center. The latter hosts a free “Guided Paddles” series along Newfound Lake every Tuesday through September 2.

5. dine with a side of waterfront views

Foodies are spoilt for choice when it comes to waterfront dining around the New Hampshire Lakes Region. Through the end of August, the New Hampshire Boat Museum and NASWA Resort’s Blue Bistro are partnering to provide an “Into The Blue” cruise and Lake Winnipesaukee dining experience. Take a spin on the Miss Lauren, a crafted replica of a classic Hacker Craft boat, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Then, end your night with locally inspired eats and fresh seafood at the Laconia resort’s fine dining restaurant.

If you’d prefer to savor your meal right on the water, consider booking a dinner cruise aboard The Sunapee Lake Queen. Offered nightly, these cruises run for two hours out of Sunapee Harbor and serve a buffet-style dinner (with garden salads, lasagna, barbecue pulled pork, and more). The M/S Mount Washington — which has traveled along the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee since 1872 — also operates as a full-service restaurant with both Sunday brunch and sunset dinner cruises.

Of course, you can’t go wrong with a classic beach day — putting your toes in the sand, soaking up the rays, and going for a refreshing dip in the water. With 10 public beaches around Lake Winnipesaukee alone, the Lakes Region is a true beachgoer’s paradise.