Things to do / Travel Guide
New Hampshire's Atlantic Ocean coastal area of Portsmouth, the one harbor town along the state's coastline, is home to a plethora of pleasure boating opportunities. And of course, New Hampshire is also home to the relatively large Lake Winnipesaukee. Vermont, on the other hand, is a landlocked state, but it is home a few splendid lakes in Lamoille County as well as the immense Lake Champlain.
All of the pleasure boating sites listed below are in New Hampshire except for those in Lamoille County and, of course, Lake Champlain in Vermont. Various different types of boats can be rented throughout New Hampshire's Lakes area, as well as in the cities of Portsmouth and Burlington. Some of the most-highly recommended pleasure boating spots in the region include:
- Brindle Pond - There are many beaver dams at the west end. At the east end, there's a long marshy channel. This pond is lightly used by low-power motorboats and is one of the few inland ponds that actually has, believe it or not, a lighthouse. This edifice complements the beautiful scenery, with natural fish and wildlife frolicking about.
- Connecticut Lakes - The first and second of the four Connecticut Lakes are a favorite location for powerboats. The major tributary of the four Connecticut Lakes is the Connecticut River, which links all the lakes through a series of twisting turning waterways that powerboaters enjoy racing through. Along the way, you can see many miles of lake and riverside beauty that is virtually inaccessible except from the water.
- Dubes Pond - This is a beautiful freshwater spot and powerboats are only permitted on one specific area of the pond. Dubes Pond is home to a great many fish and shellfish and is also a natural habitat and sanctuary for local species of animals, such as beavers and porcupines, as well as bald eagles and other migratory birds like osprey, peregrine falcons and the whiporwils. There's also the occasional moose.
Located in an unspoiled rural area, Dubes Pond is surrounded by tranquil, unparalleled natural beauty that really captures the scenery of New Hampshire.
Merrymeeting Marsh #1 - Located along Route 11 east from Alton, this is a great place to visit. Once you get in the water, the noise from Route 11 will dissipate, leaving visitors with the silence and the sounds of the area.
Lamoille County - There are several lakes in Lamoille County that are excellent for pleasure boating. You can reach Lake Eden, for instance, by driving to Eden Mills off Route 100. Lake Elmore is south of Morrisville off Route 12. And Wolcott Pond is northeast of Wolcott off Route 15.
Lake Champlain - Sometimes referred to as the sixth Great Lake, this very large lake borders northern Vermont to the west. Burlington is located right on the lake's shore and there are many marinas from which to sail or motor out into the water in dinghies and keelboats. For more detailed information about pleasure boating out on this vast lake, visit the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center, whose stated goal is to “provide affordable and convenient access for all people to Lake Champlain and Burlington Bay for sailing, paddling, and rowing.”
Many resorts near bodies of water offer pleasure boating services for their guests. In addition, there are many facilities throughout the region that rent boats and equipment.
Pleasure Boating Cruises in Vermont
In addition to the do-it-yourself style of pleasure boating, there are boating cruises operating from New Hampshire's shore at the Hampton State Pier in Hampton Beach and the Rye Pier.
A great way to see some of the region's gorgeous scenery is to take a very special cruise aboard the 500-passenger cruise ship the Spirit of Ethan Allen, which departs from the Vermont side of Lake Champlain. On this pleasant cruise, the captain of the vessel provides a historical and geographical overview of the area, all set against the backdrop of Ethan Allen's life as a revolutionary leader in Vermont. These cruises leave daily and offer three full meals to all passengers. There are also several special-event cruises throughout the year. During the summer on Wednesdays, for instance, the boat sails on a “Elvis - Live on the Lake” cruise, which comes complete with dinner, cocktails, and a live-action Elvis impersonator. Also during the summer, on Thursdays, there is a murder mystery cruise.
There are many other options for taking a cruise on Lake Champlain, especially during the evenings in summer months, including dinner cruises, singles cruises, concert cruises, sunset cruises, and even comedy cruises. These specialty cruises cost anywhere from $25-$50 per person, depending on the specific cruise type. More affordable scenic cruises around the lake sail daily during the daylight hours, and can also include brunch or lunch if you wish. Usually these are narrated as well, to allow passengers to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery the lake has to offer.
For other travelers, just a simple crossing of Lake Champlain from the Vermont side to the New York side is quite pleasurable. Numerous ferries cross the lake throughout the day from various points along each shoreline, with trips across taking anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour, depending on lake conditions and where along the lake the crossing is made. Routes in operation from morning until night are from Charlotte, Vermont to Essex, New York and from Burlington to Port Kent, New York. There's also 24/7 service from Grand Isle, Vermont to Plattsburgh, New York, meaning that people who are into midnight boating excursions over tranquil waters have an avenue in which to channel their passions. Notably, passengers who choose to take these ferries across the lake can, for an additional fee, also bring along their bikes or cars.
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