Sunapee – Lake, Harbor and Local History

Sunapee borders both Mount Sunapee and Lake Sunapee. When choosing a hotel, you can consider which side of the area best suits the purpose of your trip: lake views and the harbor, walks and parks, or historic sites and events. The destinations below offer specific ideas for planning your stay without requiring you to focus on just one theme.

Lake Sunapee and the Harbor

The harbor and beaches offer views of Lake Sunapee. Sunapee Harbor provides public access, a boat launch and public parks. This means the harbor offers both lake views and public areas to visit as distinct aspects to consider in your plans.

Historic Sunapee Harbor offers a self-guided tour with the CLIO app. It includes maps, old and current images, and historical information. If you want to explore the harbor not only for its lake views but also for a glimpse into its past, this tour offers a way to do so.

Walks and Activities in Parks

The Riverwalk offers an interesting and scenic walk. Coffin Park, a scenic and historic retreat, lies along the Sunapee Riverwalk. Together, the path and park offer two distinct points of interest: the walk itself and the park’s scenic and historic character.

Tilton Park is home to Sunapee’s only free 9-hole disc golf course. Its nine holes and free access make the course a specific activity option in addition to a walk. Tilton Park is also known as Ski Tow Hill and is connected to the Sun-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Trail.

Local History in Exhibitions and Buildings

The Sunapee Archives features exhibitions on Sunapee’s history. The Sunapee Historical Society’s collection includes artifacts from Sunapee’s important hotel and steamboat era. The Livery is the last surviving major commercial building from that steamboat era and is now used for performances and art exhibitions. The exhibitions, collection and present-day use of the building offer different ways to explore local history.

Hames Park also commemorates Sunapee’s history of hame manufacturing. This historical connection adds another aspect of local history to the themes of hotels and steamboats. If you like to connect your trip with historical impressions, Sunapee offers exhibitions and artifacts as well as places with historical significance of their own.

Music and Annual Events

A music series takes place at the Ben Mere Bandstand every Wednesday evening in summer; the specific seasonal program may vary. The Town of Sunapee’s Recreation Department also hosts the annual Great Watermelon Derby. If you want to plan your trip around an event, check the current dates in advance. The music series is described as a weekly summer offering, while the Derby takes place annually.

You can first decide which activities you want to shape your stay, then look for a hotel in Sunapee that suits the purpose of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Acworth, Claremont.

For the broader travel overview: Sullivan County.