A small town in New Hampshire was named the best lake town in America by a prestigious publication.
Travel + Leisure made a list of the best small towns in the United States of 2026 and chose a town bordering Lake Winnipesauke as the best small lake town in the country.
“Travel + Leisure launched America’s Best Small Towns three years ago to spotlight destinations with tiny populations, but big hearts and outsized attractions,” Travel + Leisure said. “As travelers continue to prioritize domestic getaways, we’ve also seen how small towns are a vital part of the nation’s fabric.”
Here’s what that publication had to say about Laconia, New Hampshire.
Laconia, New Hampshire — Best small lake town in America
Travel + Leisure chose Laconia as the best small lake town in America because being lakeside in New Hampshire in the summer feels like stepping back in time.
“Come June, Winnipesaukee and its neighbors crowd with pleasure-cruisers in pontoon boats, sunbathers loll on every spare strip of sand, and the region’s small towns feel almost ludicrous in their quaint New England charms,” Travel + Leisure said. “But Laconia doesn’t lose its appeal when the weather cools.”
Travel + Leisure spoke with the co-owner of Laconia’s Wayfarer Coffee and she said that Laconia stays active throughout each season of the year, mentioning PumpkinFest in the fall and ice-skating over Lake Winnisquam in the winter.
In the in-depth story on why Laconia is the best small lake town in the country, they mentioned the busy and entertaining boardwalk at Weirs Beach, Main Street’s cute little shops, and the memories that can be found in Lakeport.
“Soak in the sun on the beach, play vintage arcade games at Funspot, get a light dose of whiplash in the bumper cars, and revel in a vacation moment that feels plucked from another time,” Travel + Leisure said of Weirs Beach in the summer.
When it comes to activities, the publication also mentioned Ahern State Park, the Granite State Railway, the 10-foot-wide WOW Trail, and shopping at the antiques center and bookstore in Innisfree.
There’s also the famous Laconia Motorcycle Week, if you’re interested. It’s known as the oldest motorcycle rally in the world, and the next one is set for June of 2027.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Rin Velasco.
