Welcome to Center Harbor
Tucked away in a peaceful bay on Lake Winnipesaukee’s north shore, Center Harbor is an idyllic lakefront town. Here, the natural beauty of the Lakes Region is on full display, and families flock to the shoreline in the summertime to swim, sail, waterski, and play at the town beach. The calm water inside the sheltered harbor also makes this an ideal spot for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
The downtown village area is petite but full of conveniences, including well-rated dining options like Gusto Cafe for Italian fare, and Canoe Restaurant & Tavern with its rustic, boathouse-inspired setting.
Center Harbor has shoreline on Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, and Lake Waukewan, and is surrounded by acres of pristine and beautiful forest land and nature preserve, including the Proctor Wildlife Sanctuary and Center Harbor Woods, where you’ll find fantastic trails for hiking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The Belknap Woods Trailhead is a beautiful wooded trail overlooking beaver ponds, and the Bald Ledge Scenic Vista Trailhead is perfect for those looking for a little more elevation.
With only about 1,000 residents, this community is small but mighty, with fun and affordable family-friendly events all year long. SkateFest is a winter wonderland day of ice skating and snow sculpting. The 4th of July celebration draws visitors from all over the Lakes Regions and includes a road race, classic small-town parade, and of course fireworks. And LobsterFest is a lobster cookout in August with music, dancing, and activities for the kids. Center Harbor even has its very own Town Band, which plays free concerts on the Town Green every Friday in July.
Options abound for ski enthusiasts. Gunstock, King Pine, and Waterville Valley ski resorts are just a few of the mountain playgrounds within an hour or so drive.
“I have been something of a traveler in our own country, – and in Europe have seen all that is most attractive, from the Highlands of Scotland to the Golden Horn of Constantinople – from the summit of the Hartz Mountains to the Fountain of Vaucluse; but my eye has yet to rest on a lovlier scene than that which smiles around you as you sail from Weirs’ landing to Centre Harbor.”– Edward Everett, Eastman’s White Mountain Guide; 1879
Today Center Harbor continues as a residential village with small working farms and a robust seasonal population during the summer. Many families have been summering in Center Harbor for 3 or more generations.
The Town is also blessed with large tracts of forest, much of it conserved and crossed by hiking trails. The Proctor Wildlife Sanctuary, owned by the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, occupies 47 acres (19 ha) of woodlands northwest of the town center. Adjacent to this property is Center Harbor Woods, a 225-acre (91 ha) conservation area owned by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust and protected by a conservation easement held by the Squam Lakes Conservation Society and the town of Center Harbor.
A public beach, playground, and dock complex with a boat landing are a short walk from the Village Green. The Town prides itself on having virtually everything you might need within a mile of the village which includes a supermarket, hardware store, book store, gas station, clothing store, artisan crafts and art, furniture and home furnishings, canoe and kayak sales and rentals, specialty clothing, jewelry, a state liquor store, real estate offices, even computers and cell phones. Several wonderful upscale restaurants, a diner, and an ice cream shop serve the village and visitors.
In February in conjunction with the Center Harbor Community Development Association (CHCDA) the Town hosts SkateFest, a family-friendly day of ice skating and snow sculpting with free food provided by the local restaurants and Heath’s supermarket. An annual Fourth of July celebration featuring a road race (including a children’s race around the library), parade, band concert, and fireworks over the lake draws visitors from all over New England. In August CHCDA also sponsors LobsterFest in conjunction with the Town Fire Department. It’s an old-fashioned family-friendly and affordable lobster cookout with free hot dogs for children under 12, fireworks over the lake, free music, and street dancing. The Center Harbor Town Band, founded in 1878, also offers free concerts on the Town Green every Friday in July with additional free concerts by area bands during August. The large forest areas and hillsides provide spectacular vistas in the Fall during leaf season. During winter, the town is a popular stop for snowmobile enthusiasts, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers who follow the many trails throughout the area.
