Welcome to Alton
Alton Bay’s location on the southern tip of Lake Winnipesaukee makes Alton the ideal commuter town. Just minutes after departing from Concord or the Seacoast you can be in a whole new world on Lake Winnipesaukee’s magical waterfront. And in Alton, there’s waterfront in abundance – it boasts the second highest number of shoreline miles of any town on the lake.
In the summertime of course, it’s all about playing on and around the water. Paddle sports shop SUP NH is located here, for those who want to try their hand at stand-up paddleboarding.
The town docks are in the thick of all the fun, surrounded by beloved local restaurants like Dockside, Olde Bay Diner and Shibley’s at the Pier, where you can dine on lobster and steak after a long day of swimming, boating, and water skiing or just relaxing at the town beach.
For adventures on land, Mt Major in Alton is one of Belknap Mountain’s most popular spots for hikers, with three trails winding up almost 1,800 feet to the scenic, rocky summit where the views of the White Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee are spellbinding.
Altonites love their community events in all 4 seasons. Whether it’s outdoor yoga, the mini-golf league, or concerts at one of the two town bandstands (one of which is actually on the water!), there is always something to do. Their winter carnival is a family-friendly spectacle that features an ice sculpture contest, sleigh rides, a scavenger hunt and tons of other booths and games.
The Winter Carnival is just one of the reasons that Alton is a fantastic place to be in the snowy season. Gunstock Mountain, New Hampshire’s premiere ski resort, is less than half an hour away, and the miles of trails in and around the town are a dream for snowmobiling.
In addition, Alton is home to the only FAA approved ice runway in the lower 48 states. The runway was first used in the 1940s, and Alton residents have kept the tradition alive ever since.
Historically, Alton was known as a manufacturing center after the Civil War. Later, the Boston and Maine Railroad built a station in Alton. Though rail service was long discontinued and the station is now a community center, the railroad was a major factor in helping the town transform into the popular resort community that it is today.
When it comes to real estate, Alton offers a lot of variety. Like a small cottage in Alton Bay or a palatial waterfront estate in East or West Alton and anything in between! There are many opportunities to find water access and mountain or lakeview properties. Alton also offers its fair share of boat-accessible island properties and several nearby marinas like West Alton Marina, Tarbell’s Marine and Island Services, and Roberts Cove Basin Marina to name a few.
