How to Cruise Lake Winnipesaukee on the Mount Washington

The M/S Mount Washington delights summer visitors to New Hampshire's lake district. Take a cruise on this vintage boat on Lake Winnipesaukee. Here's what you need to know.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• the boat's schedule
• ticket (bought on board)
• sunscreen
• light cover up

1. 
    
   Boarding at Weirs Beach

   The boat docks at Wolfeboro, Weirs Beach, Center Harbor, Meredith, and Alton Bay on various days. Check the schedule (see link below or call 1-888-THE MOUNT) to know where to catch the cruise on the day you want to go. It's a round-trip cruise.

2. 
    
   Gazebo in Cate Park

   If catching the two-hour cruise in Wolfeboro, relax in Cate park and watch the harbor activities until the boat arrives. The boat docks at the town docks.

3. 
    
   Outside the Dockside Grille

   There's a restroom by the restaurant on the dock in Wolfeboro. There are also restrooms on the boat. You may want to take a tote bag on board with you. Stock it with sunscreen, a light cover up, a bottle of water and camera supplies.

4. 
    

   Upon boarding, find the kind of seating you want. Choices include a seat on the open deck near the rail, rows of seats on the open bow or a table for four under the roof (still open on the sides). Stake out the table or chairs you want while people get settled on the boat.

5. 
    

   Relax and enjoy the scenery. There are 274 habitable islands on Lake Winnipesaukee and 282 miles of shoreline. Watch the smaller boats cruising past and admire the lake homes along the shore. In the distance are the White Mountains.

6. Before the end of the cruise, go to the purser's office to purchase the tickets. These are collected as you leave the boat.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the boat is underway, listen to the announcements about buying tickets and safety precautions. Throughout the cruise, announcements point out interesting landmarks and give tidbits of local history.
• Buy the tickets at the counter on the middle level of the boat.
• Breakfast, lunch and cocktails are available on the boat. You can also bring a sandwich in your tote bag.
• There are special cruises like Friday Family Fun Day (with activities for kids) and Sunday Champagne Brunch (with light jazz). There are also sunset dinner cruises and various theme cruises scheduled during the summer.
• Go early enough to find parking. If there's a summer festival going on, traffic and parking slow you down. Expect to walk at least four or five blocks from where you park.
• Drop off anyone with walking difficulties at the dock and then go find parking.
• Parking at the town docks in Wolfeboro is limited and short-term so not suitable for those taking the cruise. Usually there is parking space on the street near the Wolfeboro Tavern.

Resources

• Mount Washington cruise website

[srbd]

on 12/15/2009 I KNEW I liked you! We lived in NH for 7 years even though we are native Texans. I never did get to take this cruise, but we did spend the whole time playing tourist one way or another, and try to get back every year for a visit. Next time? I'll make this cruise.

[srbd]

on 12/15/2009 I KNEW I liked you! We lived in NH for 7 years even though we are native Texans. I never did get to take this cruise, but we did spend the whole time playing tourist one way or another, and try to get back every year for a visit. Next time? I'll make this cruise.

[writersmark]

on 5/26/2009 Thanks for this article! I was at lake Winny last September! Its so beautiful!!! I loved it :) 5*

[NYLady]

on 1/29/2009 Sounds like great fun! Might tack Winnepesaukee onto a trip to Ongunquit, Maine, this summer. Looking at rentals in Winnepesaukee right now!

[amylaine]

on 10/17/2008 This sounds like a wonderful trip.