Weirs Beach

The place takes its name from the fish weirs that Native people used at the outlet of the lake here long before European settlement, catching fish in the narrows where the water flows out toward the Winnipesaukee River. The Abenaki and their ancestors fished this spot for a very long time, and its usefulness as a gathering place is far older than the boardwalk.

In the nineteenth century Weirs Beach grew into a popular resort, reached by railroad and steamboat, where visitors came to camp, attend gatherings, and enjoy the lake. That resort character has carried through to today, and while the attractions have modernized, the village still exists for the same reason it always has: to enjoy the shore of Winnipesaukee in the summer.

The boardwalk is the heart of the experience, a lively lakeside promenade lined with arcades, games, candy and ice cream shops, and a public beach and pier. On a warm evening it fills with families, and the mix of neon, water, and lake breeze gives it the timeless feel of an American summer resort.

From the docks, the excursion boats connect Weirs Beach to the rest of Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in the state, dotted with islands and ringed by mountains. The stately MS Mount Washington offers scenic cruises, and smaller boats carry passengers and even the mail to lakeside communities, turning a stroll on the boardwalk into a launching point for the whole lake.

A scenic railroad runs along the lakeshore at Weirs Beach, offering leisurely excursions beside the water, a reminder of the era when trains first brought vacationers to the lake. Riding it is a gentle, nostalgic way to take in the shoreline scenery.

The railroad, the excursion boats, and the boardwalk together give Weirs Beach an unusual concentration of old-fashioned lake attractions in one small village. It is the kind of place that changes slowly, which is exactly why families return to it summer after summer.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Weirs Beach, in Laconia on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, is a classic and lively lakeside summer destination, a beloved beach and boardwalk area on the state's largest lake. The area offers a sandy public beach on Lake Winnipesaukee, a nostalgic boardwalk with arcades, shops, and eateries, a dock where scenic lake cruises depart, and old-fashioned summer fun including nearby amusements. A quintessential New England lakeside resort scene with a retro, family-friendly atmosphere, Weirs Beach captures the spirit of a Lakes Region summer. With its beach, boardwalk, and lake cruises, Weirs Beach offers a delightful destination in New Hampshire.

You can swim and relax on the sandy public beach along Lake Winnipesaukee, stroll the nostalgic boardwalk with its arcades, shops, and eateries, board scenic lake cruises including the Mount Washington from the dock, and enjoy nearby amusements and old-fashioned summer fun. The lake beach, the retro boardwalk, the lake cruises, and the lively summer atmosphere are the draws, making it a classic family-friendly Lakes Region outing. It is especially fun on a warm summer day. With its beach, boardwalk, and cruises, Weirs Beach offers an enjoyable experience in New Hampshire.

Summer is the classic and best time for Weirs Beach, when the weather is warm for swimming, the boardwalk and arcades are lively, the lake cruises are running, and the area buzzes with summer energy, though it is also the busiest. Late spring and early fall are quieter with pleasant weather, though some seasonal attractions may be limited. For the full lively beach and boardwalk experience with cruises and swimming, aim for summer at Weirs Beach in Laconia, New Hampshire.

Weirs Beach offers swimming in Lake Winnipesaukee at a public beach, generally gentler than the ocean, but as at any lake beach, watching children closely in the water, being mindful of whether a lifeguard is present, swimming in designated areas, and being aware of boat traffic on the busy lake are wise. The lake water is refreshing and warmest in mid to late summer. Being mindful of sun and staying in the swimming area help. Following basic water safety ensures an enjoyable swim at Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire.

Weirs Beach is in Laconia on Lake Winnipesaukee in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where the Mount Washington lake cruise departs, within reach of Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, and the Lakes Region towns and attractions. That makes Weirs Beach a delightful stop to combine with the Mount Washington lake cruise, Castle in the Clouds, and the other attractions of the Lakes Region on a visit to New Hampshire.