VIDEO: Lake Sunapee House (NH)
Article by Stavros
The New England Travel Journal and team had the opportunity to stay at the Lake Sunapee House for the weekend late in October. We have eagerly been waiting for our stay at LSH because it was the perfect opportunity to visit a part of New Hampshire that we’ve never been to before. This and the fact that we were able to chase the New England foliage before the winter’s cold left all the trees bare. Our first impression was that the area is beautiful.
Newbury is located on the southern most portion of Lake Sunapee and is guarded by Mount Sunapee on the west which cuts out cell reception. This makes it difficult for posting to social media and getting directions. The trade-off is that it’s perfect if you’re trying to absorb as much of the beauty around you as you drive to Lake Sunapee House. Don’t fret though, there’s complimentary WIFI at the house so you can still make your followers jealous for not being with you.
The House
The house itself is a very charming and modern lake cottage full of creature comforts to make any party comfortable during their stay. You walk in through the main entrance of the house and are immediately greeted with natural light pouring into the open floor plan of the first floor.
The kitchen is straight ahead and overlooks the all-season room and also opens to the dining area and living room to the left. In the kitchen, there is a tall bar-style counter to enjoy a quick snack or a meal for two. Right next to that is a comfortable dining table that seats six and faces the slider doors to the patio.
The living room is the perfect setup to enjoy a fun game night next to the burning pellet stove. Get bored of games easily? The room is topped off with a massive TV where anyone can enjoy watching their favorite movies or sports. The master bedroom is located just off of the living room and the spacious full bath is by the entrance. Head up the stairs from the kitchen you end up in a large loft that has two more beds and two skylights which are perfect for looking out to the lake.
The Outside
Step outside through the sliding glass doors in the dining area and you end up on a patio big enough to entertain your family, the neighbors, and the neighbor’s family. Two tables can sit everyone from Cheaper by the Dozen and the four beach chairs add even more spots to lay and gaze over the clear water of the lake.
Take a walk down the stone steps and walk across the dock to find two Adirondack chairs waiting for you at the very edge. From those seats, you are far enough over the water that you have an unobstructed view of the lake and the mountain directly across. The houses are so far behind you that if you sit there long enough you feel like you’re sitting in the middle of the lake. Obviously, the backyard and the dock were our favorite spots in the house and this is where we enjoyed the majority of our time.
Good Food
When it comes to food there are a handful of places near the house to go to for either a sit-down meal, take out, or delivery. Within a seven-minute drive there is a deli, a bar and grill, and a pizza restaurant. On the day we arrived we picked up a few toasted paninis from Marzelli Deli for a quick lunch before heading on our hike. Then, later that night we picked up a steamy hot pizza and deliciously spicy wings from Ziggy’s. We opened up a couple of bottles of wine, poured our local brews, and cozied up next to the warm pellet stove for some fun board games in the living room.
Adventure
For fun, nearby Lake Sunapee House, Mount Sunapee, is only a five-minute drive away. During the spring, summer and fall there are a variety of activities to participate in. These include an adventure course, zip-line, an archery area, a climbing wall, a disc-golf course, and a mini golf course. Our visit after Columbus Day meant that the activities and ski lifts were closed.
This did not deter us, however, because we love any chance we get to hike so it wasn’t an issue for us. We started our trek late in the afternoon but were able to conquer the three-mile trail. Once on the summit, we were rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Sunapee and of the foliage that covered New Hampshire. Luckily we had clear skies and cool weather which made our hike that much more comfortable and our views that much more impressive. After enjoying the summit for about an hour as we tried to find all the best spots for pictures. Our recommendation is to head down Bonanza, turn right onto Old Goat, and head straight until you come to Skyway Ledge. As the name suggests this is the best spot on the mountain to get views for miles.
With the sun setting, we decided to hike down the slopes for a faster return to our car. Our mission was to catch the sun setting behind the mountain while sitting on the dock at Lake Sunapee House. I am happy to report we were successful and were rewarded with a lovely spot to catch the sunset.
Other attractions in the area include the Sunapee Harbor where you can find restaurants and Sunapee Cruises, and The Fells offering gorgeous gardens to explore. Within an hour’s drive you can find yourself at King Arthur Flour and if you want to drive a bit further you can find yourself in Franconia Notch and the White Mountains.
Final Thoughts
We definitely plan on going back to the area in the summer to enjoy time in the lake and take advantage of the paddle boarding and kayaking that is available as well as the boating and tubing. The house really thrives in the months when you can spend as much time outside on the patio and in the water. In the winter, it becomes a cozy getaway perfect for a family who wants to stay warm by the pellet stove and enjoy the views of the snow-covered lake. Then when it’s time to stretch those legs, Mount Sunapee is a short drive for shredding the slopes whether you enjoy skiing or snowboarding. Simply put Lake Sunapee House is a great stay for all seasons with enough to do to keep everyone happy.
If you would like to read more on our adventures in Newbury and other places, articles will be posted at New England Travel Journal.
Click here to book your stay at the Lake Sunapee House