Summer may be winding down, but that doesn't mean it's time to say goodbye to Lake Winnipesaukee just yet. In fact, the stretch between the height of summer and the arrival of fall can be one of the nicest times to visit New Hampshire's Lakes Region.
Late August and September bring a little bit of everything. There are still warm afternoons for getting out on the water, but the mornings and evenings begin to cool down. The pace around the lake starts to feel a little more relaxed, and before long, the first hints of fall begin appearing in the surrounding landscape.
For guests at the Center Harbor Inn, it's a chance to enjoy some of the best parts of both seasons from a spot directly on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.
There's Still Plenty of Time to Get on the Water
Labor Day may feel like the unofficial end of summer, but the calendar doesn't always agree. Warm, sunny days can continue well into September, leaving plenty of opportunities to enjoy the lake before cooler weather settles in.
At the Center Harbor Inn, you don't have to go far to make the most of them. The Inn's private sandy beach sits just outside, and guests can take complimentary kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats onto the water. If you're traveling with your own boat, dock slips and moorings make it possible to keep your boat right at the property and head out whenever the weather cooperates.
Even if it isn't quite warm enough for a swim, a quiet morning paddle or an afternoon boat ride can be an entirely different experience once the height of the summer season has passed.
The Lakes Region Starts to Slow Down
There's an energy around Lake Winnipesaukee during peak summer that we love, but there's also something to be said for visiting once things begin to quiet down.
As families return to school schedules and the busiest vacation weeks come to an end, late-season visitors get to experience a more relaxed side of the Lakes Region. It's a great time to spend an afternoon exploring Center Harbor, drive into nearby Meredith for shopping and dinner, or visit some of the area's attractions without trying to fit everything into a packed summer itinerary.
Center Harbor Inn's location makes that especially easy. You can walk into the village from the Inn, while Meredith is only a few miles away when you're ready to explore a little farther.
It's Great Weather for Getting Outside
By this point in the season, a 90-degree afternoon isn't necessarily what everyone is hoping for. Cooler late-summer and early-fall temperatures open up plenty of possibilities beyond the beach.
Take a hike through Chamberlain-Reynolds Memorial Forest, explore the trails and wildlife at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, or simply head out for a scenic drive through the surrounding towns. The combination of comfortable daytime temperatures and cooler mornings can make outdoor activities much more enjoyable than they were during the hottest weeks of July.
You also don't have to plan an elaborate excursion. Center Harbor and the surrounding Lakes Region are particularly well suited to days when the plan is simply to see where the road takes you.
The First Signs of Fall Begin to Arrive
Peak foliage is still a little ways off, but September brings its own subtle changes to the Lakes Region.
Cooler nights gradually begin changing the landscape, and the deep greens of summer start giving way to the first touches of red, orange and gold. You may not get the full Columbus Day weekend foliage show, but you also don't need peak color to appreciate how beautiful this part of New Hampshire becomes as the seasons change.
From the Center Harbor Inn, you get to watch that transition unfold against Lake Winnipesaukee. A lake-view balcony is a pretty good place to notice that the mountains across the water look just a little different than they did the week before.
Cooler Evenings Are Better by the Fire
One of the simplest pleasures of visiting at this time of year comes after the sun goes down.
Those first crisp evenings make the Inn's outdoor fire pit especially inviting, and the four-season hot tub overlooking the harbor becomes even more appealing when there's a chill in the air. It's an easy way to end a day spent exploring, particularly when you can head back to your room without ever leaving the lakefront.
Bring a sweatshirt, pour yourself something warm and enjoy the fact that, for once, there's nowhere you need to be.
You Don't Have to Choose Between Summer and Fall
Late August and September don't fit neatly into one season in the Lakes Region, and that's part of what makes them worth experiencing.
You might spend one afternoon kayaking under a warm sun and the next morning reach for a sweater before heading into town for coffee. The beach is still there, the boats are still on the lake, and the unmistakable signs of a New Hampshire fall are beginning to appear around you.
If you're not quite ready to let go of summer but you're already looking forward to crisp mornings and changing leaves, this might be the perfect time to make one more trip to Lake Winnipesaukee.
Plan your late-summer or early-fall stay at the Center Harbor Inn and experience the Lakes Region as the seasons begin to change.