Escape To Sunapee: Things To Do

Plan your visit to Sunapee – it’s the perfect year-round vacation spot! Here’s a list of great places to visit, eat, shop, purchase groceries any time of year. Need a tip on the best places to check out? Email us.

Read our BLOG for the latest ideas on things to do in the Sunapee area.

Bring the Family

Check out charming Sunapee Harbor, Newbury Harbor or downtown New London, each with their own restaurants and shops.  For a day at the lake, there’s Mount Sunapee State Park Beach for swimming, boating, and canoeing. Or visit the local museums, including the Montshire Museum of Science and the Hood Museum of Art.

Depending on the time of year, spend a day at the League of NH Crafters Fair or the Winter Carnival in Newbury. Bike racing is another popular activity in the region, including the Pinnacle Mountain Bike Race held every summer.

Have a Romantic Getaway

Sunapee is an excellent place for lovers and honeymooners. What better way to celebrate your escape or begin your new life together than tucked away in an idyllic home in the Lake Sunapee Area? Escape the pressures of day-to-day life for a few days and spend time together in Sunapee Harbor. Cook a delicious meal in your pet-friendly cottage or head out and dine at the location’s unique restaurants in New London, Newbury, or Sunapee.

Plan an Adventure

For those looking for an outdoor adventure, the Sunapee region has it all. Nature lovers will enjoy the beauty of the wild surroundings, the hiking trails, skiing and other outdoor activities. Take in the refreshing air as you explore the waters of the nearby lakes or hike Mount Kearsarge. Rent a boat to go fishing or a canoe to explore the 6.5 square miles of Lake Sunapee. Clear your head in the natural surroundings or check out the Mount Sunapee Adventure Center to go zip-lining.

Sunapee Stays Eating Recommendations

The Basics

Salt Hill Shanty  Ideal meeting place for friends and family, proudly family owned and operated. They offer a blend of honest Irish-American inspired comfort food, affordable craft beers, good humor and live music. NEWBURY NH

Bubba’s Bar & Grille  Full menu comprised of amazing seafood, fan favorite land fares, award winning seafood chowder, hearty sandwiches, and a diverse pizza menu to satisfy any size party! NEWBURY NH

Marzelli Deli  Italian food to go, hand-tossed pizza, take n’ bake trays, beer and wine, Boars head sandwiches. NEWBURY NH

Appleseed Restaurant  Casual country dining in a tavern or dining room. NEWBURY NH

Tucker’s  Breakfast and lunch seven days a week, menu includes organic, local and gluten-free options for all to enjoy.

Blue Loon Bakery  Amazing bread and pastries along with soup, sandwiches and salads.

Coach House Restaurant at the New London Inn  Located in the historic New London Inn, the Coach House Restaurant is a unique experience that offers an intimate, casually elegant atmosphere with exceptional service.

Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille  Craft beer and great pub food.

Henry’s at the Lake Sunapee Country Club  Enjoy seasonal outside dining on the deck or, relax out on the garden terrace. Join us with friends or family for a great evening out on the countryside. Both lunch and dinner are casual affairs with the emphasis on carefully prepared food.

Little Brother Burger Company  Casual burgers and beer.

Millstone at 74 Main  Extensive menu from an all-american burger to a delicious filet mignon, plus daily exclusive daily specials! NEW LONDON NH

Oak & Grain  Serving inspired New England cuisine from their own herb garden, to their on-site maple sugar stand, to local farm partners.  Historic venue, breath-taking views of Pleasant Lake and Mt. Kearsarge. NEW LONDON NH

Peter Christian’s Tavern  Tavern food including sandwiches, burgers, beer. NEW LONDON NH

Pizza Chef  Pizza, subs and other meals. NEW LONDON NH

The Refinery  American style BBQ restaurant with market. NEW LONDON NH

Suna  American cuisine with a twist. SUNAPEE NH

The Bend Deli Serves handmade breakfast, lunch, and dinner options created with locally sourced ingredients.

Fenton’s Landing  Good food, deli and provisions. Seasonal. SUNAPEE NH

Ziggy’s Pizza  Specialty pies, burgers, wings and salads in an informal setting with a separate bar area. SUNAPEE NH

Pizza Chef  Pizza and food as well as fast and friendly service. SUNAPEE NH

Sanctuary Dairy Farm  Seasonal for eat in, all-year farm stand with ice cream, meats, eggs and more. Farm fresh, homemade, irresistible ice cream, yogurt, and sorbet, made one batch at a time on their own working dairy farm. Indulge in scrumptious ice cream under the shade of the apple trees while the cool breeze rolls off of the meadows.  Large grassy area with a kid play area. SUNAPEE NH

Quack Shack  Seasonal. Located in Sunapee Harbor, enjoy ice cream while strolling the Harbor. SUNAPEE NH

The Old Courthouse  NEWPORT NH

Ming China Chinese Restaurant  NEWPORT NH

Village Pizza  NEWPORT NH

Quickstop Gas Station & Convenience Store  Offers bundles of firewood, eggs, milk, chips, beer, etc. NEWBURY NH

Hannaford Supermarket  Ideal location to visit, we recommend shopping here. NEW LONDON NH

Kearsarge Co-Op  Small natural food store. NEW LONDON NH

Spring Ledge Farm  Local produce, dairy and meat. NEW LONDON NH

Colonial Pharmacy  A modern and professional pharmacy while keeping the charm of an old-fashioned general store with home town appeal. NEW LONDON NH

Shaw’s Grocery Store  NEWPORT NH

Click HERE for a list of shops in the Sunapee area.

Sunapee Stays Hikes

Families and Hikers

Lake Sunapee BabyQuip Baby Gear Rentals offers high-quality baby gear rentals to make family travel easy and stress-free, delivered straight to your door. Our inventory includes top-rated items like cribs, strollers, car seats, and high chairs, ensuring your little ones have everything they need for a comfortable stay. Clean. Safe. Insured.

Mount Sunapee Adventure Park  In summer, Mount Sunapee provides lift access mountain biking, zip lines, an adventure course, and summer camps. NEWBURY NH

New London Barn Playhouse  Kids love watching performances at the Barn Playhouse. There is a variety of shows for kids that are entertaining for the whole family. NEW LONDON NH

Morgan Hill Bookstore  A wide variety of books and toys for kids and adults! NEW LONDON NH

Tilton Park  Playground, story walk and disc golf.  Bring your own discs! SUNAPEE NH

Sanctuary Dairy Farm  If you are looking for a yummy stop, check out this ice cream shop. Not only do they serve delicious homemade ice cream, but kids love interacting with the friendly animals on the farm. Families can also play a game of horse shoes, volleyball, and kickball. SUNAPEE NH

Wild Goose Country Store  Pottery, kitchen items, gifts, Lake Sunapee items and penny candy for the kids. SUNAPEE NH

Mount Sunapee Hiking – Newbury  A variety of trails offered for all levels of hikers. Check out their map for Province Trail, Summit Trail, Summit Trail to Solitude Trail, Newbury Trail, and Andrew Brook Trail.

Eagles Nest Overlook – Newbury  Located almost 500 feet above Newbury Harbor, the Eagle’s Nest overlook is a rocky outcropping with a break in the tree line that gives a spectacular view of the southern tip of Lake Sunapee.

Sunset Hill Trail – Newbury  A 45-minute hike mostly tree covered offering a stunning view overlooking Lake Sunapee.

The Fells Nature Trails – Newbury  Discover The Fells 83.5 acres of beauty and tranquility; learn the legacy of diplomat and statesman John Milton Hay; tour the 22-room Colonial Revival home; explore the forests, walk the woodland trails; and enjoy the renowned gardens. Visitors can walk the trails for a fee and also visit the home.

Clark Lookout Trail – New London  Clark Lookout is a spectacular scenic overlook on the North end of Lake Sunapee. Just a short 10 minute hike up a small hill, it is a perfect spot for a family picnic or just to relax a bit viewing the most amazing view of Lake Sunapee and Mount Sunapee.

New London Conservation Commission Trail Network – New London  Several hiking trails of varied length and challenge.

Sunapee Ragged Kearsarge Greenway  A 75-mile loop of hiking trails in central New Hampshire. The Greenway Trail System circles the Lake Sunapee area and connects Sunapee, Ragged, and Kearsarge Mountains.

Sawyer Trail – Sunapee  An interpretive trail located in Dewey Woods

Webb’s Forest – Sunapee

Sunapee Harbor Riverwalk – Sunapee  A 1/2 mile scenic and historic trail along the Sugar River from this bridge near the dam that controls the height of Lake Sunapee to the Information Booth on Route 11.

Mount Kearsarge – Wilmot

Sunapee Stays Summer

Summer Activities

Goodhue Boat Company (formerly Sargent’s Marina)  Lake Sunapee Boat Rentals and Paddlesport Rentals

Bob’s Beacon Marina  Lake Sunapee Boat Rentals

Sunapee Cruises  Experience the fun of a scenic daytime excursion on the MV MT Sunapee II or enjoy an evening dinner cruise aboard the MV Kearsarge Restaurant Ship. Relax, enjoy the wonderful New Hampshire scenery. Settle into your deck chair or ease back at your table and listen as the Captain narrates the history, lore and points of interest of this beautiful pristine mountain lake.

TBC Guides  Licensed Fishing Guide Service: Bass Boat, Kayak, Ice and Fly

Mount Sunapee  In summer, Mount Sunapee provides lift access mountain biking, zip lines, an adventure course, and summer camps.

The Fells Historic Estate and Gardens  Discover The Fells 83.5 acres of beauty and tranquility; learn the legacy of diplomat and statesman John Milton Hay; tour the 22-room Colonial Revival home; explore the forests, walk the woodland trails; and enjoy the renowned gardens.

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum  Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Education and Cultural Center, is dedicated to connecting people of today with 20,000 years of ongoing Native American cultural expression.

Eastman Golf Links  Breathtaking 18-hole, semi public golf course, which is open daily for public play and membership.

Country Club of NH  This course plays from 6,000 to 7,000 yards of challenging golf at the foot of the majestic Mount Kearsarge and boasts some of the lushest greens in the state.

Check out Lake Sunapee Living, an insider’s guide to New Hampshire’s Lake Sunapee Region.


Check out Lake Sunapee Living

SunapeeStaysWinter

Winter Activities

Pat’s Peak – Henniker

Arrowhead Recreation Area  Tubing & very small skiing hill

Cross Country Ski  Pine Hill Ski Club – New London

Eastman Cross Country Center – Grantham

Dexter’s Inn – Sunapee

Veterans Field – Sunapee  Schedule varies on the weather – checking the Sunapee Recreation Department Facebook page for whether it’s open or not is usually the most reliable.

Bob Andrews Memorial Ice Rink