Weirs Beach, New Hampshire

Weirs Beach, New Hampshire is one of several gateway communities to the largest lake in New Hampshire Lake Winnipesaukee. We stayed at the Naswa Resort with a room overlooking the lake and found the room and accompanying restaurant The Blue Bistro to both be top notch.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The resort has a small beach area with some watercraft available for rent.
About a mile away from the resort is the downtown section of Weirs Beach with most of the amenities in one easy to access location. The main drag has arcades for the kids and several fast food options.

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If the weather is nice and you want to sun or swim the adjacent Endicott Rock Park has good sand and a life guard.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

One of the cruise debarkation points is right there on the opposite side of the street from the arcades. Here you can book a cruise on the M/S Mount Washington out into the lake with beautiful views. Brunch is available on some of the cruises check the website for details.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

If you do not want to go out on the water consider a train ride also available right at the beach.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The famous Winnipesaukee Pier has fast food, shops and a restaurant.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

There is a drive-in movie theater next to the beach great for the nostalgic experience of watching a movie from your car.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Very much a fun destination for the summer but think about going during the shoulder seasons as well especially during the height of foliage.

Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park

Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park commemorates the battle and surrender of General Robert E Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S Grant. Wilmer McLean had an interesting life intricately associated with the Civil War. After his home was damaged in the first major battle of the war “The Battle of Bull Run” he moved his family to the sleepy village of Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia.

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It was in his front parlor that Lee surrendered to Grant foreshadowing the end of the war shortly after.

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The history of the house at Appomattox is as interesting as McLean’s himself. After the signing Union soldiers ransacked the home for souvenirs literally tearing it apart in the process. McLean eventually defaulted on the house and it made its way into the hands of spectaculars. The house was dismantled with the hopes that it would be re-assembled and put on display either in Washington or at the a Worlds Fair exhibition. The house never made it to Washington and it was left disassembled in a pile for the next 50 years. The National Park Service established the Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Monument in 1940 and eventually re-assembled the house and furnished it with period accouterments. You can tour the house today.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The park is nicely placed in an attractive rural area, there is a 4.5 mile “History Trail” that winds through the ravines and dells surrounding the restored houses on site.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The passport to the National Parks cancellation stamp is in the bookstore/shop in the Tavern Kitchen. A beautiful park with a pleasant blend of history and nature.

Ellis Island part of The Statue of Liberty National Monument

When you plan on a trip to the Statue of Liberty National Monument make sure you leave time to go the the Ellis Island portion of the park. Ellis Island was the gateway millions of new Americans used to enter the country. In the troubling times that we live in it is an important reminder that the country was built by immigrants seeking a better life for themselves and their families. We get our strength from our diversity.

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When you book your tickets check the schedule and plan out your stop to Ellis Island. On the island you will want to spend time in the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. The information desk has a park brochure and is where you can get your passport to the National Parks cancellation stamp.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Wandering these halls and thinking about the fear and apprehension my grandfather must have felt leaving his home country to start a new life made me all the more connected to my family history and gave me a deeper understanding of the modern world.

Honeymoon Covered Bridge – Jackson, New Hampshire

The Honeymoon Bridge was built in 1876 and spans the Ellis River. The bridge is easily accessed from NH Route 16 between the town of North Conway, NH and the Mount Washington Auto Road. Not the prettiest covered bridge in the state but worth a stop for a few minutes if you are heading up to the auto road. We have not stayed there but there is a lodge nearby.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos