New England Mountains & Mills: Boston to NH Lakes Road Trip
Trip Snapshot:
- Distance & Driving Time: ~250 miles round-trip. Roughly 5–6 hours of drive time total. Boston to Concord, MA ~20 miles; Concord to Manchester, NH ~50 miles; Manchester to Meredith, NH ~60 miles; then ~110 miles back to Boston (loop via Portsmouth adds a bit more).
- Best Time of Year to Visit:Fall (late September to mid-October) is spectacular for foliage in New Hampshire’s forests, with vibrant reds and oranges around the lakes this route is a leaf-peeper’s delight. Summer is great for lake activities (swimming, boating) and town fairs. Late spring brings blooming scenery and fewer crowds. Winter is pretty but driving could be tricky with snow, and some attractions have limited hours off-season.
- Ideal For: Nature lovers craving a taste of New England’s country and mountain scenery, history fans (Revolutionary War sites in Concord), and families (farms, lake beaches, and even tax-free shopping to please everyone). It’s perfect if you want to mix a city break with small-town exploration and fresh air.
- Quick Route Summary: Boston ➔ Concord, MA (via Route 2 west) ➔ Manchester, NH (via I-93 north) ➔ Lakes Region (Meredith & Laconia on Lake Winnipesaukee via I-93) ➔ optional side trip to Wolfeboro ➔ return to Boston (loop back via Seacoast: Route 11 east to Route 16 south through Portsmouth, NH, then I-95).
- Top Highlights: Standing on Old North Bridge in Concord where the Revolutionary War began, touring Manchester’s historic Millyard (Amoskeag Mills once the world’s largest textile plant), enjoying a lakeside lunch in Meredith with views of Lake Winnipesaukee, perhaps cruising on the M/S Mount Washington ship, exploring quaint Wolfeboro (“Oldest Summer Resort in America”), and optionally catching sunset and seafood in the charming coastal city of Portsmouth on the way back.
Route Overview
Trade city streets for leafy highways: start by driving west from Boston on Route 2 toward Concord, Massachusetts (about 20 miles). Concord is a compact town rich in Revolutionary history you’ll spend a pleasant morning here. Next, from Concord center, hop on I-95/Route 128 briefly north, then connect to I-93 North toward Manchester, New Hampshire (approximately 50 miles, ~1 hour from Concord, MA). You’ll cross into the Granite State (note the big “Welcome to New Hampshire Live Free or Die” highway sign) and arrive in Manchester, the state’s largest city. After exploring Manchester’s Millyard district, continue up I-93 for about another 50–60 miles (1 hour) into New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Get off at Exit 23 or 24 to reach Meredith or Laconia/Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. This area is roughly 110 miles from Boston (about 2 hours without stops). Enjoy the afternoon around the lake perhaps drive 15 miles around the bay to Wolfeboro on the eastern side of Winnipesaukee if time permits.
For the journey home, rather than retracing the highway, consider a scenic loop: from the Lakes Region, take Route 11 east toward the town of Alton, then Route 11/Route 16 south through the New Hampshire countryside. Route 16 will lead you down to the Seacoast specifically to Portsmouth, NH, at around 70 miles from the Lakes Region. Portsmouth makes a great late-day stop for dinner by the harbor. Finally, from Portsmouth, it’s a straight shot 55 miles south to Boston on I-95 (around 1 hour, crossing back into Massachusetts). This full loop gives you a taste of inland and coastal New England. Of course, you can always simply return from the lakes directly via I-93 south if you’re short on time (about 2 hours back to Boston).
Because there’s so much to see, you might break this into a 2-3 day trip: Day 1 for Concord and Manchester, Day 2 for the Lakes Region (overnight by the lake), and Day 3 to swing through Portsmouth on the way back. But even as a long single day, you’ll get an enriching sampler of New England beyond Boston’s city limits.
Top Stops & Experiences
- Concord, MA: This charming town was the site of the opening battle of the American Revolution. A must-visit is the Minute Man National Historical Park specifically, North Bridge, where on April 19, 1775, colonial Minutemen fired the “shot heard ’round the world” against British Redcoats. You can walk across the wooden bridge (a replica) and see Daniel Chester French’s famous Minute Man statue guarding it. It’s hard not to feel a shiver of history here, standing on the very ground where the war for American independence ignited. The park has walking trails and exhibits; the visitor center at Minute Man (in Lexington, a short drive back on Route 2A) offers an overview of the whole Battle Road. Beyond Revolutionary lore, Concord was a cradle of American literature. Downtown, you can visit Orchard House, home of Louisa May Alcott (where she wrote Little Women), or The Old Manse, which was home to Ralph Waldo Emerson and later Nathaniel Hawthorne it actually overlooks the North Bridge, tying together literary and revolutionary history. Another jewel is Walden Pond, where Henry David Thoreau lived deliberately in the woods the pond is now a serene state reservation ideal for a nature walk to the site of Thoreau’s cabin. (Walden Pond is especially lovely early in the morning with mist on the water.) Before leaving Concord, grab a bite or coffee in the quaint town center perhaps at Main Streets Market & Café or Helen’s. Don’t miss picking up some locally-made chocolate or pastries at Vergne’s bakery for the road.
- Manchester, NH: Crossing into New Hampshire, you’ll explore Manchester’s heritage as a 19th-century industrial powerhouse. The city’s skyline along the Merrimack River is dominated by red brick mill buildings these are the Amoskeag Mills, which in their heyday formed the largest cotton textile plant in the world. Park near the Millyard district (ample parking lots around Commercial Street) and visit the Millyard Museum (housed in Mill No.3) to learn how this massive operation shaped the city and the lives of immigrant workers. You’ll see everything from old looms and products to an excellent exhibit on Manchester from Native American times through the Industrial Revolution. Even if you skip the museum, take a drive down Commercial Street the canyon of mill buildings is impressive and photogenic, especially knowing thousands of people once worked here (at its peak, over 17,000 employees kept the mills running). Today, these buildings have been repurposed into offices, restaurants, and a UNH campus, exemplifying urban revitalization. For a fun diversion, stop by Manchester’s Riverwalk by Arms Park to view the Amoskeag Falls on the Merrimack once harnessed to power the mills. If you need a shopping fix or a lunch stop, Manchester has you covered: the Mall of New Hampshire is just off I-93 (and remember, New Hampshire has no sales tax, so it can be a shopper’s paradise). Downtown Manchester on Elm Street also has an array of eateries and pubs; consider The Foundry for farm-to-table fare in a refurbished mill or Red Arrow Diner for classic all-day breakfast (a favorite of presidential candidates during NH’s first-in-nation primary season!).
- Lake Winnipesaukee (Meredith & Weirs Beach): After the city sights, nature calls! Lake Winnipesaukee is New Hampshire’s largest lake, gleaming among wooded hills and dotted with islands. A convenient entry point is Meredith, a town on the northwestern shore of the lake. As you approach, you’ll notice the change the air feels fresher and you’ll catch glimpses of blue water and bobbing boats. In Meredith, park near the Town Docks or at Mill Falls Marketplace. The town’s waterfront area is beautifully developed check out the restored Mill Falls Inn and its waterfall, browse some boutique shops (perhaps pick up local maple syrup or handmade crafts), and walk out on the docks for a photo of the classic wooden tour boats. You might see the M/S Mount Washington cruise ship arrive; this venerable ship has been offering scenic cruises on Winnipesaukee since 1872! If you have time and it’s the right season (late May–Oct), hopping aboard a Mount Washington cruise is a fantastic way to see the lake’s beauty the full cruise is about 2.5 hours round-trip from Weirs Beach, and some shorter cruises are available. Weirs Beach, just a few miles south of Meredith, is another fun stop: it’s a nostalgic lakefront strip with a public beach, a boardwalk, arcades, and the historic Weirs Beach sign with its retro flair. Here you can also find the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad offering short train rides along the lake shore. A quick climb up Endicott Rock Park’s small observation tower gives a nice overview of Weirs Beach. For a classic summer snack, grab a lobster roll or fried dough from a boardwalk stand, or cool off with ice cream. (Official info: Lake Winnipesaukee cruises, Lakes Region Tourism)
- Wolfeboro, NH (Lake Winnipesaukee’s Oldest Resort): If you’re willing to drive a bit off the direct path (or if you’re overnighting nearby), a 40-minute scenic drive around the lake’s eastern shore brings you to Wolfeboro. Touted as the “Oldest Summer Resort in America”, Wolfeboro has been a vacation haven since the 18th century. The town center sits right on the lake, with a picturesque bay often filled with classic wooden boats. Park along Main Street and take a stroll: you’ll find antique shops, cafes, and art galleries. The vibe is relaxed and upscale-rustic. Have lunch on the patio of Wolfeboro Inn’s tavern or pick up sandwiches from Downtown Grille Café to enjoy by the water. If you’re interested in local history, the Wright Museum of WWII in Wolfeboro is surprisingly rich, focusing on the American home front during the 1940s. For a dose of nature, you could take a quick hike up Cotton Mountain or visit Castle in the Clouds (in nearby Moultonborough) on your way back south a mountaintop historic estate with incredible lake views. Wolfeboro can be a bit sleepy in the evening, which is part of its charm. Don’t leave without trying something blueberry New Hampshire’s state fruit is the blueberry, and in summer you’ll find everything from blueberry pie to blueberry ale at local spots.
- Portsmouth, NH (Seacoast Detour): As you loop back toward Boston, a stop in Portsmouth adds a dash of coastal New England urbanity. Portsmouth is a small seaside city known for its colonial architecture, vibrant food scene, and Strawbery Banke Museum a living history neighborhood preserving houses from the 1600s onwards. Even if you arrive in the evening, Portsmouth’s downtown is lively with shops and pubs. Stroll along Market Square, where brick sidewalks and centuries-old buildings now host bookstores, breweries, and cafes. Prescott Park on the waterfront is a lovely spot to stretch your legs, often featuring flower gardens and sometimes outdoor theater in summer. Hungry? Portsmouth has you covered: maybe go casual with a lobster dinner at BG’s Boathouse or Warren’s Lobster House (just over the bridge in Kittery, Maine), or try one of the many inventive bistros downtown (seafood is a strong suit across the board). Portsmouth also offers a chance to reflect on the journey within a couple of hours, you’ve gone from revolutionary fields to mill towns to mountain lakes and now to the ocean’s edge. When you’re ready, hop on I-95 for the final leg back to Boston.
Where to Eat & Stay
Eat: Along this route, you’ll encounter farm stands, local diners, and everything in between. For a true local treat in autumn, stop at a farm store like Gould Hill Farm in Contoocook (near Concord, NH) or Cider Bellies Donuts in Meredith for fresh apple cider donuts warm and cinnamon-sugary, they hit the spot while leaf-peeping. In Concord, MA, aside from the cafes mentioned, Colonial Inn has a cozy restaurant (yes, the inn itself dates to 1716) where you can enjoy New England classics. Manchester offers diverse options try Murphy’s Diner for retro vibes or Cotton Restaurant for upscale American cuisine in a mill setting. In the Lakes Region, seafood and classic American fare rule: Hart’s Turkey Farm in Meredith is famous for turkey dinners (Thanksgiving any day!), and Town Docks in Meredith is fun for lakeside fish tacos or ice cream (you can sit at picnic tables right by the water). If you’re craving pizza or casual fare, Giuseppe’s in Meredith’s Mill Falls Marketplace is a popular Italian joint often with live music.
Wolfeboro has some fine dining given its resort nature for instance, The Restaurant at Wolfeboro Inn or O Bistro. But sometimes a simple lakeside picnic is perfect: pick up goodies from Hunter’s Shop ‘n Save grocery in Wolfeboro and enjoy at a picnic area. Portsmouth, as mentioned, is a foodie haven you really can’t go wrong. If it’s late, Portsmouth Brewery or Earth Eagle Brewings (for craft beer and BBQ) are convivial spots to cap off the night.
Stay: If making this a multi-day trip, you have lots of choices. For a night in the Lakes Region, Mill Falls at the Lake in Meredith is highly recommended it’s a collection of lodgings (Church Landing, Bay Point, etc.) offering upscale comfort and lake views. Church Landing, in particular, has an Adirondack lodge vibe and is right on the water, with a sandy beach area and fire pits. For something quieter or more budget-friendly, Birch Knoll Motel near Weirs Beach offers clean rooms with lake access, or Wolfeboro’s Windrifter Resort provides condo-style units. In Manchester, if you wanted to overnight there, DoubleTree Downtown is inside a converted mill (blending history with modern amenities), and La Quinta near the highway is a solid budget option. Concord, MA has lovely B&Bs like North Bridge Inn if you decided to overnight early in the trip.
Portsmouth and the Seacoast also have many hotels, but if you’re only stopping there for dinner en route home, staying overnight might not be necessary unless you want to break up the drive. If you do, Portsmouth Harbor Inn or Hilton Garden Inn Downtown put you steps from the action.
One more unique idea: for a true rustic experience, there are campgrounds around Lake Winnipesaukee (e.g., Ellacoya State Park campground in Gilford). Waking up by the lake with morning mist and loon calls can be magical just be prepared for early quiet nights and bring the marshmallows for s’mores!
Practical Tips
- Foliage Season Planning: If you’re doing this trip in autumn, note that peak colors in central/southern New Hampshire usually hit around the first or second week of October (earlier in the far north, a bit later toward the coast). That means late September to mid-October drives will be gorgeous but also popular. Aim for mid-week travel if possible to avoid the heaviest “leaf peeper” crowds and higher weekend lodging rates. Scenic outlooks and stops like Castle in the Clouds can be very busy on peak weekends (Columbus Day weekend in October is especially crowded). Also, be prepared for slower cars on rural roads everyone is admiring the scenery! It’s part of the experience, so build in extra time.
- Weather & Clothing: This route covers varied terrain you might start in Boston in a T-shirt and find it cool by the lake or up on a vista. Layers are key. In fall, mornings and evenings in the Lakes Region can be chilly (frost is possible by October). Summers up north are generally comfortable, but a rain jacket is wise year-round (pop-up thunderstorms can happen on humid days). In winter, this drive can be snowy/icy, especially in New Hampshire. Only attempt with a suitable vehicle (and check ski conditions Gunstock Mountain in Gilford is a local ski area if you’re a winter sports fan).
- Wildlife & Driving: New Hampshire is more rural than Massachusetts. You may notice wildlife crossing signs on I-93 and Route 16. Moose and deer are active at dawn and dusk moose in particular are a hazard because they’re huge and dark-colored (hard to see until they’re in front of you). Keep your eyes scanning, especially in wooded areas north of Concord. If you see brake lights at odd times on the highway, it might be cars slowing for wildlife. Also, bear sightings, while rarer, can happen in the Lakes Region do not feed or approach any bears (usual caveat: they’re generally shy). Lock your car if you have snacks inside when parked in nature areas, as bears have been known to nose around.
- Tolls: New Hampshire’s major highways have a few tolls (e.g., Hampton Tolls on I-95, and Hooksett Tolls on I-93 north of Manchester). They’re not expensive (around $1–$2), but be aware. If your rental car has EZ-Pass, you can cruise through the transponder lanes. Otherwise, look for “Cash” lanes (and have some singles or quarters ready). Note: if taking Route 16 (Spaulding Turnpike) from the Lakes to Portsmouth, there’s a toll near Dover. Massachusetts’ I-90 (Mass Pike) has electronic tolls too if you were to use it. All told, toll costs are minor but something to remember so you’re not caught in the wrong lane.
- No Sales Tax: We mentioned shopping New Hampshire famously has no sales tax on goods. So if you need to buy anything significant (outdoor gear, gadgets, etc.), doing so in NH could save a few bucks. The Merrimack Premium Outlets (just off Route 3 in NH) or the myriad stores around Nashua/Salem, NH are popular stops for Massachusetts folks seeking tax-free purchases. Just don’t let shopping distract too much from the natural beauty you came to see!
- Local Etiquette: New Englanders are generally friendly but reserved. In small towns, a smile and “hello” go a long way. If driving slower to enjoy scenery, use pull-offs to let locals pass on winding roads. In New Hampshire, you’ll see the state motto “Live Free or Die” everywhere one aspect of that is no mandatory seatbelt for adults and no helmet law for motorcycles. You may notice many motorcyclists, especially during events like Laconia Motorcycle Week in June. Drive attentively and share the road. And if you stop at a country store, don’t be surprised if conversation with the clerk is unhurried up here, people take the time to chat.
Rentals & Logistics
Getting out of Boston: If you’re renting a car in the city, try to depart after the morning rush (i.e., after 9:30am) to have a smooth ride on Route 2 and I-93. Conversely, returning to Boston, aim to skirt evening rush (3–7pm) or use the I-95 loop to come down to I-90 if 93 is backed up.
For this trip, any reliable car will do, but if you’re traveling in winter or plan to venture onto some gravel backroads by the lake or mountains, an SUV with all-wheel drive provides extra confidence. Summer rentals sometimes come with sunroofs enjoying the fall foliage with a sunroof open is a delight, just saying!
Make sure your phone or GPS is charged cell coverage is generally fine in populated areas, but in the hills around the lake or some backroads, signals can drop. Having offline maps or a paper map as backup (pick one up at a New Hampshire welcome center) isn’t a bad idea for peace of mind.
Consider that you’re crossing state lines (MA to NH). There’s no checkpoint or anything but note that Massachusetts and New Hampshire driving laws differ slightly (e.g., in NH right-on-red is allowed unless signed otherwise, similar to MA, and highways use mile markers differently). Also, New Hampshire liquor stores famously have huge outlets on the highway rest areas that’s a quirk of NH (state-run liquor stores with low prices) in case you’re curious when you see them on I-93 or I-95.
Lastly, enjoy the contrast to city life. One moment you’re in Boston’s bustling streets, and a couple of hours later you’re surrounded by forest or gazing over a tranquil lake with mountains on the horizon. New England packs a lot of variety in a small area, and this loop showcases that beautifully.
Hit the road with a spirit of adventure whether it’s singing along to folk tunes as you drive past golden fall trees, or striking up a conversation with a local artisan in a lakeside town, the journey will be as rewarding as the destinations.