Lake Winnipesaukee

The lake covers about 180 square kilometres with over two hundred and fifty islands, which is what gives its shoreline the length it has. The MS Mount Washington runs cruises, but the more distinctive vessel is the Sophie C., a working United States mail boat since 1892 in one form or another - it delivers to island docks on a route through the summer and takes a small number of passengers along, which means the trip runs to the postal schedule rather than a tourist one. Wolfeboro on the eastern shore calls itself the oldest summer resort in America, dating its claim to a 1770s governor's summer house. Weirs Beach at the western end is the arcade and boardwalk end of the lake.

What you actually see

• Over two hundred and fifty islands - across 180 square kilometres.
• A working mail boat - delivering to island docks with passengers aboard.
• Wolfeboro - claiming the oldest summer resort in the country.
• Weirs Beach - the boardwalk and arcade end.

When to go

June to September; the mail boat runs in summer only. A full day.

Honest expectations

Summer weekends fill the lake roads and the towns. Motorcycle Week in June brings very large crowds to Laconia. The lake freezes in winter and services close. Public beach access is limited - much of the shore is private.

Nearby

The White Mountains are north; Castle in the Clouds overlooks the lake.