Gilford: Lake, Summer Concerts and Winter Activities

Gilford combines Lake Winnipesaukee with a beach, summer concerts, and winter activities. It also offers a children’s fun park at Beans & Greens Farm and a historic connection through the Union Meetinghouse.

Beach and Summer Concerts on Lake Winnipesaukee

Ellacoya State Park is located in Gilford on the southwestern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. It has a 600-foot-long sandy beach for swimming and picnicking. This gives you two specific ways to enjoy a stay by the water: you can swim at the beach or plan a picnic. The beach’s length and location on the southwestern shore give the park a clear place in your travel plans if the lake is important to your stay.

BankNH Pavilion is also in Gilford, next to Lake Winnipesaukee. It is an outdoor concert venue for summer concerts. The beach at Ellacoya State Park and the concert stage appeal to different interests, even though both destinations are connected to the lake: swimming and picnicking are the focus at the park, while the Pavilion features a summer concert program. This distinction can help you narrow down the purpose of your trip without combining both destinations into a single outing.

Winter Activities at Gunstock Mountain Resort

Gunstock Mountain Resort has introduced people from New England to skiing and snowboarding since 1937. Winter activities on offer include night skiing, snow tubing, and guided snowshoe tours. These three options offer different kinds of experiences, from evening skiing and snow tubing to a guided snowshoe tour. If snow activities are what bring you to Gilford, you can use this selection to decide more precisely what kind of winter outing you’re looking for.

Children’s Fun Park and Historic Connection

At Beans & Greens Farm, Jack & The Flying Bean Stalk has been a children’s fun park since summer 2022. Its features include a large jumping pillow and small zip lines. These features set it apart from the beach and winter activities in Gilford and give families a distinct option when choosing possible day trips.

The Union Meetinghouse adds a historic connection to the recreational offerings: it is listed on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. If you’d like to consider local history as well as activities when choosing a destination, this listing is a specific point of reference.

Choose Your Travel Dates Based on Your Plans

The different highlights are also associated with different times of year: BankNH Pavilion is known for summer concerts, while the activities mentioned at Gunstock Mountain Resort are winter-focused. Ellacoya State Park’s beach offers another reason to spend a day on Lake Winnipesaukee, and the children’s fun park provides a distinct option. If you’re looking for a hotel in Gilford, plan your travel dates around the activity that matters most to you. Check the dates for concerts and winter activities before finalizing your stay. This way, you can choose your destination based on your interests rather than assuming a single activity defines the entire trip.

Discover more destinations: Laconia, Sanbornton, Winnisquam, Belmont, Meredith, New Hampton, Tilton

Return to the regional travel guide: Belknap.