Meredith Travel Guide

City Lakes Region town on Lake Winnipesaukee

Meredith sits on Lake Winnipesaukee with a compact marina, family-run inns and summer concerts; boaters launch here for islands and fishermen stalk bass along calm coves.

Costs

$130-200 per day (midrange)

Typical midrange visitor spends on lodging, meals, and activities around Lake Winnipesaukee.

Safety

Generally safe; petty theft possible

Very safe small New England town with low violent crime.

Best Time

June-September

Warm, busy summer months for boating and events.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

3:34 PM

GMT-4

Weather

61°F

Rain

Population

1,718

Infrastructure & Convenience

Car-friendly region; downtown is very walkable with seasonal transit and tourist services.

Popularity

Busy in summer with families and lake tourists; quieter off-season.

Known For

Lake Winnipesaukee, boating, beaches, summer concerts, fall foliage, lakeside inns, Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, local breweries, outlet shopping, scenic drives

Meredith was incorporated in 1768 and sits on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Why Visit Meredith? #

Nestled on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, this town draws visitors for classic New England lake life and easy access to outdoor pursuits. Wander the Meredith Village docks and sample local fare at lakeside cafés, or take a cruise across Winnipesaukee for postcard views. Fall color and nearby Castle in the Clouds estate add history and scenic hiking to the mix. Small-town festivals and a friendly harbor scene make it a relaxed base for seasonal escapes.

Best Things to Do in Meredith

All Attractions ›

Lake Winnipesaukee

New Hampshire's largest lake and popular recreation spot

Lake

Meredith Bucket List

Don't Miss

Meredith Harbor and Main Street - Stroll Meredith Harbor and Main Street shops with lakefront dining and boat traffic.
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad - Ride the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad for lakeshore views and vintage railcars.
Mill Falls Marketplace - Shop local vendors and dine riverside at historic Mill Falls Marketplace complex.

Hidden Gems

Meredith Sculpture Walk - Explore the Sculpture Walk along Main Street showcasing works by regional artists.
Meredith Village Museum - Discover local history at Meredith Village Museum with rotating exhibits and archives.
Bicentennial Park - Relax at Bicentennial Park for lakefront picnic spots and views of the Ossipee mountains.

Day Trips

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center - Visit Squam Lakes Natural Science Center for wildlife exhibits and guided lake cruises.
Castle in the Clouds (Moultonborough) - Drive to Castle in the Clouds for mansion tours and hiking with mountain views.

Best Time to Visit Meredith #

Visit Meredith late May through October for warm, lake-friendly weather, boating and excellent fall foliage. Winters are cold and snowy - best avoided unless you want winter sports.

Winter

December - February · -12 to 2°C (10 to 36°F)

Cold, snowy months with short daylight; lakes freeze and roads can be icy - great for hardcore skiers and quiet, off-season travelers.

Spring

March - May · 0 to 18°C (32 to 64°F)

Variable weather: chilly early, warming by May; ideal for quieter lake walks and blooming landscapes before peak tourist crowds arrive.

Summer

June - August · 15 to 28°C (59 to 82°F)

Warm, sunny days perfect for boating, swimming, and lakeside patios; expect lively tourist activity and easy access to outdoor recreation.

Best Time to Visit Meredith #

Climate

Meredith's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -14°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1052 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 20 Good

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

41°

Warmest Month

-31°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-8°

Feels Like Freezing

-8°C

Temperature

-14° – -2°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

74 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.2h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-6°

Feels Like Freezing

-6°C

Temperature

-13° – 1°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

73 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.3h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 6°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

-1°

Feels Like Freezing

-1°C

Temperature

-7° – 6°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

76 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

-1° – 12°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

86 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

High

13.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

5° – 20°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

96 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

14.5h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

10° – 25°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

90 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

15.2h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

13° – 27°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

95 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

14.9h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

12° – 26°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

94 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

High

13.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

8° – 21°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

80 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.1

UV Index

High

12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

2° – 15°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

92 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

10.9h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (104 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

-3° – 8°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

104 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.5h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -9°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-4°

Feels Like Freezing

-4°C

Temperature

-9° – 1°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

92 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.8h daylight

How to Get to Meredith

Meredith (NH) is reached most easily by car from nearby regional airports; Manchester-Boston Regional (MHT) and Boston Logan (BOS) are the main gateways. Public transit options are limited for the final leg, so most visitors rent a car or pre-book a shuttle/taxi for arrival.

By Air

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT): The closest airport with frequent commercial flights; driving to Meredith takes about 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. Typical taxi or rideshare fares to Meredith are roughly $70-120 one-way; a rental car is the most common choice (allow 10-20 minutes at the rental desk).

Logan International Airport (BOS): Boston’s airport is the largest serving the region and is about 90-120 minutes’ drive to Meredith (longer in peak traffic). Options include rental car (recommended) or taking Concord Coach/other intercity buses to Manchester and then a local taxi or rideshare for the last leg (intercity bus fares Boston→Manchester are commonly $15-30; expect a 30-60 minute transfer from Manchester to Meredith).

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no direct Amtrak service to Meredith. The nearest major Amtrak stations are in Boston (South Station) and Portland, ME; from there you must transfer by car or regional bus services toward the Lakes Region.

Bus: Intercity buses such as Concord Coach Lines (Boston↔Manchester) and Greyhound serve Manchester; from Manchester you will need a taxi, rideshare or rental car to reach Meredith (Manchester→Meredith ~45-60 minutes). Local bus service around the Lakes Region is limited-plan a car for flexible travel.

How to Get Around Meredith #

Meredith’s downtown around the lakeshore is very walkable - you can easily get between shops, restaurants and the waterfront on foot. For exploring the wider Lakes Region a car is handy; parking is generally available but can fill up on summer weekends. Taxis and rideshare services are limited, especially off-season, and bike rentals are seasonal. There are also tourist boat services and the scenic railroad nearby for leisure trips rather than regular transit.

Where to Stay in Meredith #

Budget

Downtown / Lake Winnipesaukee - $70-140/night

Meredith offers a handful of budget motels and economy chain hotels; convenient for boaters and travelers on a tighter budget.

Meredith Budget Inn - Simple rooms close to downtown.
Super 8 Meredith - Chain economy option near the lake.

Mid-Range

Downtown Waterfront - $140-280/night

Mid-range is strong here: lakeside inns and boutique hotels offer comfortable rooms, good dining, and easy access to marinas and shops.

Mill Falls at the Lake (Church Landing) - Popular lakeside boutique lodging.
The Inn on Main - Comfortable B&B in central Meredith.

Luxury

Lake Winnipesaukee Shore - $250-500+/night

Luxury choices include boutique lakeside resorts and high-end inns with private docks, fine dining, and premium lake views; book early in summer.

The Margate on Winnipesaukee - Upscale lakeside resort lodging.
Premium lakefront resorts - High-end rooms and private docks.

Where to Eat in Meredith #

Lakeside Classics

Meredith offers classic New England fare and lakeside dining - family-run roadhouses, turkey specialties and cozy cafés around the harbor.

Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant - Longstanding turkey-centric family restaurant
Lakeside and harbor eateries - Views with classic American menus
Meredith Village cafés - Coffee, sandwiches and pastries

Bakeries & Casual Fare

Expect bakeries, casual grills and seafood-forward plates - easy options for families and boaters enjoying the Lakes Region.

Local bakeries - Morning pastries and takeout sandwiches
Casual grills and pubs - Burgers, seafood and pub classics
Seasonal ice cream shops - Sundaes and lakefront treats

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Meredith's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza

Italian

Donut

Burger

American

Coffee Shop

Turkey

Seafood

Nightlife in Meredith #

Nightlife in Meredith is low-key. Evenings center on casual pubs, family restaurants and occasional live music, with more activity during summer weekends and events. Don’t expect a club scene; most spots close earlier than in a city and peak activity aligns with the tourist season.

Shopping in Meredith #

Shopping is small-town and locally focused: expect independent boutiques, outdoor/outfitter shops and lake-themed gift stores. Summer farmers’ markets and seasonal stalls add local produce and crafts. There are no large malls in town - most specialty shopping is on Meredith’s main streets or in nearby Lakes Region towns.