Riverboats and speedboats alike ply the waves of New England’s favorite freshwater vacation destination. But Winnipesaukee (extra points for spelling it right on the first try) is just one of the many—and be warned, one of the most crowded—lakes that offer recreational opportunities in this area.

As a whole, the region focuses on fun more than relaxation, with water- and jet-skiers noisily cruising the bigger puddles. The sheer number of lakes in the region (more than 200 at last count, with 283 miles of shoreline and 274 habitable islands), however, ensures a range of accommodation from action-packed to tranquil.

In fact, the Lakes Region is made up of more than forty towns (some of which are so small, you don’t know you’ve been in them until you pass a sign saying you’ve left). Laconia is the biggest city, but the quieter charms of many of the smaller towns—the country stores of Holderness, the neat lines of white houses lining the streets of Wolfeboro, and the bustling town green of Meredith—perhaps best represent what the region has to offer: uncrowded, natural beauty met with stress-free living.

The Best of the Lakes Region

• Mount Washington Cruises
• Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
• Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum
• Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
• Hood Museum of Art