Your Gilford, NH Guide
Local guide
Things to Do in Gilford, NH: Gunstock, Ellacoya Beach & More
Spend a day at Ellacoya State Park
Ellacoya State Park has a 600-foot sandy beach on Lake Winnipesaukee, with views across the lake to the Sandwich and Ossipee mountains. It's a great spot for swimming, picnics and a slow summer afternoon.
- Good to know: there's a small day-use fee, and parking fills up fast on sunny weekends, so go early or reserve ahead on the NH State Parks website.
- Bring: chairs, snacks and sunscreen. Pets aren't allowed on the beach.
Play at Gunstock Mountain Resort
Gunstock is Gilford's backyard mountain, and it's busy in every season.
- Winter: skiing and snowboarding with lake views from the top, night skiing, snow tubing and cross-country trails. Our guests get discounted lift tickets. Read our Gunstock Ski Trip Guide for all the details.
- Summer: the Mountain Coaster, a guided Zipline Tour, treetop adventure courses for kids and adults, and scenic chairlift rides.
Catch a show at BankNH Pavilion
BankNH Pavilion is the Lakes Region's big outdoor concert venue, with room for about 9,000 people and a summer lineup of national acts. Some of our Gilford homes are close enough to walk to the show, so you can skip the parking lot. Check the venue's calendar before you book your dates.
Hike the Belknap Range
Gilford is the gateway to the Belknap Range, with trails for every level.
- Belknap Mountain: the highest peak in the range at 2,382 feet, with a fire tower at the top and wide views over the lake.
- Piper Mountain: a shorter hike in the range, with lake and mountain views from the top.
- Gunstock Mountain: also part of the range, with trails to the summit and views over Lake Winnipesaukee.
Fall foliage season is especially beautiful here. In winter, bring traction for your boots and check trail conditions first.
Explore Gilford Village
Take a drive up to the historic Gilford Village, where the Thompson-Ames Historical Society looks after the Union Meetinghouse, the 1857 General Store and the Benjamin Rowe House. It's a quiet, pretty stop for history lovers. Check opening times before you go.
Where to eat
- Sawyer's Dairy Bar: a Gilford classic since 1945, known for homemade ice cream (try the black raspberry) and lobster rolls.
- Patrick's Pub & Eatery: a local favorite for pub food and burgers, voted Best Irish Pub in New Hampshire.
- Nearby in Laconia: downtown Laconia is just a short drive away, and some of our local partners there offer perks to Big Lake Properties guests.
Where to stay in Gilford
Our Gilford homes put you close to both the lake and the mountain. Choose from condos with beach and pool access within walking distance of concerts, homes near Gunstock with hot tubs and game rooms, and pet-friendly lake houses with room for the whole family. See all our Gilford vacation rentals.
Planning more of the Lakes Region? Read our Lake Winnipesaukee winter guide or our Gilmanton travel guide, just a short drive south.
Book direct and save
Booking directly on our website means no booking-site fees, and every guest gets our local partner perks, like discounted Gunstock lift tickets. See available homes.