Time for fun at Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire, a get destination with scenic beauty that has captured the imaginations of artists and authors. We'll travel along the rolling country side to the charming small towns found in the Lake Sunapee region of Central New Hampshire, and discover some of the sites to explore on your getaway.
We'll start on the farm; a family owned and operated, the Jenness Farm Goat Farm produced the finest goat milk soaps and body care products. At the Jenness Farm you can browse through a variety of over 90 fragrances. And, don't forget to visit with the ladies who make all this possible, the herd of spoiled goats who greet guests upon arrival.
Now it's on to experience a New England tradition that has existed since 1869; the Calef's Country Store. In this charming store you can sample aged cheddar cheese, or buy a pickle from the barrel. Sample some penny candy, or pick up a few authentic New England products. Then, head over to Hampshire Pewter for unique gifts or visit the Christmas Dove for unique holiday ideas and items.
Nearby is Peterborough, which was the inspiration for Thornton Wilder's play, Our Town, and is home to Yankee Magazine and the Old Farmer's Almanac, along with Peterboro Baskets. With so many exciting sites to see and picturesque settings to capture, you'll find plenty of interesting sites to explore while in Bradford, New Hampshire.
Next, we visit the Flag Hill Winery and Distillery, which was founded in 1990.Throughout your travels you can join festivities at local wineries, and sample some of the vintage wines popular in the region. Among these wineries is the Flag Hill Winery and Distillery, which was founded in 1990, and has grown from a family operated vineyard to an established winery in the picturesque town of Lee. As the first distillery in New Hampshire, the Flag Hill produced high quality distilled spirits such as General John Stark Vodka. Be sure to catch their tour the distillery to see how vodka is made, and afterwards, take a stroll the vineyard, and enjoy a picnic on the grounds.
The Lake Sunapee region of Central New Hampshire has a rich history, which can be explored at historic sites like the Canterbury Shaker Village, where Shaker traditions live on through guided tours and exhibits. Here, you'll discover 200 years of Shaker history, and enjoy the peace, tranquility and pastoral beauty of one of New England's best preserved and most beautifully maintained historical sites.
While on your travels you'll also find many old colonial homes, waterfalls and stone arch bridges to visit along the way. The area is also known for beautiful gardens, and gardeners will enjoy visiting the Fuller Gardens, located in Portsmouth, along the coast. These turn of the century public botanical garden feature hundreds of varieties of rose bushes, formal English perennial borders, a Japanese Garden and Conservatory. Prescott Park nearby also has gorgeous flower gardens and deciduous and exotic plantings.
By Nick Worley
Getting There:
For attractions and event in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire visit the Lakes Region Association at http://www.lakesregion.org/.
From historic sites to wineries, and charming small towns, you'll find more than imagined to see and do in Central New Hampshire - Visit the Lake's Region website to start planning your trip.