Bluebird Sunapee

Worth getting out of bed for

Guests flock to this part of New Hampshire for its bounty of outdoor pursuits, not least for Lake Sunapee, the town’s (quite literally) biggest draw. A must-visit destination for nature lovers, the lake makes a picture-perfect spot for canoeing, swimming and kayaking. Goodhue Boat Company have a range of different cruising vessels to rent, and offer lessons in wakeboarding, waterskiing, kneeboarding, wakesurfing and wakeskating. Keep an eye out for Herrick Cove Lighthouse, a picturesque 19th-century structure also known as Ginger's Light. Dry off at Sunapee State Beach, which has a picnic area, snack bar and playground for the little ones. Hikers should lace up for the rocky peaks of Mount Sunapee, just east of the hotel, with trails that range from painless two-milers – the Sunset Hill and the Stony Brook Trail, to be precise – to more rigorous climbs like the White Cliff Overlook and the Mount Sunapee Summit Trail. And, when those slopes turn icy come winter, grab your skis or head straight for the après at summit-straddling Goosefeathers Pub. And if vertigo-inducing slopes don’t cut it, adrenaline junkies can find their fix at Mount Sunapee Adventure Park which offers everything from zip-lining and downhill mountain biking to an aerial challenge course. In the surrounding Merrimack County you’ll find charming Georgian, Victorian and Federal architecture and plenty of independent and antique shops. One of the best is Prospect Hill Antique Barn, a three-storey horse barn chock-full of unique finds. A 10-minute drive away, New London is one of the state’s highest towns at an elevation of 1,000-plus feet, but it’s also one of the state’s prettiest and a great place to spend a day during the summer, with parades, fairs and live music on the common.

Local restaurants

Newport’s the Old Courthouse is a family-owned restaurant housed in a 19th-century building in the town’s Historic District. As the name suggests, this Federalist-era fabrication was once the town’s courthouse, but the only thing visitors will be sentenced to these days is an elegant dining experience assisted by a creative menu of elevated American classics like rhubarb fritters or NY strip steak seasoned with rosemary, thyme, garlic and brown butter. Another historic dining spot can be found at the Anchorage, a lakeside eatery at the heart of Sunapee harbor. Head here for fresh seafood (deep-fried Maine clams, lightly-battered haddock fillets, citrus-grilled salmon) and stunning views from the deck. And, if it’s casual comfort bites you’re after, look no further than Bubba's Bar and Grille, a fun, no-frills joint that will satisfy your carb-iest of cravings. 

Local cafés

Head to Stacy’s Smoothies for colorful sippers that pack your five-a-day into one supremely slurpable punch. Overachievers can make that six-a-day by adding on an açai bowl, freshly-baked banana bread and green Greek salad wraps. There’s George Howell coffee for the grown-ups, and little ones will love the backyard playground where they can expand their clean, green energy playing mini golf, corn hole, checkers, or chess. Sweet Beet Café, meanwhile, makes a great spot for lunch, with locally sourced, seasonally inspired dishes like their farm-fresh BLT (applewood-smoked bacon, seasonal greens, salted red tomatoes and mayo on toasted, multigrain bread). Nab a seat on the porch for a spot of wholesome, Gilmore Girls cosplay. 

Local bars

Flying Goose Brew Pub is New Hampshire’s only solar-powered brewery where you’ll find a noteworthy roster of 20 to 30 sustainably-sound craft beers (we love the dangerously drinkable Long Brothers American IPA), and weekly live music from some of New England’s greatest string-wielders.