In the initial stages of planning a vacation to either NH or Vermont. We are a family of 5 (3 kids 19, 15 and 12). We live in PA but have never been North for a summer vacation. We are looking to rent a house/condo/etc. and use it as a base for the week. Our vacation budget is a little low this year and we're hoping to save money by eating in often.

Looking for a place that has access to a lake - for canoeing, etc., good hiking, and cute New England towns. We want to stay away from areas that are too touristy and crowded.

Haven't really researched Vermont yet - so any suggestions are welcome.

In NH, I've found several condos. Deer Park in Lincoln, NH, Village of Loon Mountain, Nordic Village in Jackson. The condos are very affordable and have the added advantage of things for the kids - pools, etc. Any input on these condos/areas would be greatly appreciated!

Also, if anyone could provide an overview of some of the lakes, that would be great! Found a house on Sunrise Lake in Middleton - anyone familiar with this area?

All help, advice, etc. greatly appreciated!!

Nordic Village is a very popular condo resort for people from the Boston area. Almost everyone I know has stayed there at some point in time. We found their condos to be very clean and comfortable, the public areas are very attractive and well landscaped. The pool areas are clean and well maintained. There is usually some low key evening entertainment. They are located away from N.Conway which is the most touristy town in the White Mountains.

I've heard plenty of good things about Loon also.

In Vermont we've stayed at the Golden Eagle Resort in Stowe. We love Stowe and the resort was fine for our needs. Stowe has a great recreational trail for bike riding, rollerblading etc.

My best memories from childhood were the years we spent vacationing on Lake Winnepasauke(can't spell it) in Wolfeboro NH.
Wolfeboro is a small town and they never used to let commercial things in (McDonald's etc...) There was an ice cream parlor with sandwiches and stuff. I hear it is still there but a different name. It is a cute town. Now, we stayed at a place called Piping Rock. It was right on the lake and it was a cottage community. There were cottages that had two to three bedrooms with living room and kitchen. I have no idea what shape they are in today. We have not gone back because most of them have no AC. I am forty now and like AC. I remember wearing sweatshirts at night as a kid though. There always was a big carnival in town on the fourth of July. It was a great vacation spot and if I could convince my family to return, I would be delighted to spend a week there. Check into it. I don't believe it was too expensive. Also, check out weirs beach in NH on Winnepesauke. They may have some cottages too.

If you're looking for quaint New England, Lincoln NH might be a dissapointment - lots of strip malls and condos. However, drive 5 minutes and you are in the White Mountain wilderness of the Kancamagus area. Jackson NH is a lot more 'charming'. If your looking for scenic, unspoiled lakeside towns, check out Sunapee NH, Wolfeboro NH, Echo Lake Vt, Lake Morey Vt. However, condos might be a little harder to track down in these small towns.

Nordic Village in Jackson, New Hampshire is great!!!

Here is some info concerning two NH towns I have visited:

Woodstock is short on looks but very long indeed on location. It is right near the White Mountains. If you haven't ever been through there, you may be surprised at how short the "mountain" section of highway is. But I'm confident the scenery will floor you.

Littleton is a classic New England small town, and it is perhaps 20 minutes from Woodstock. There is a nice row of shops along the main drag, the classic church and steeple, and an angry little mountain river rushing along through town. The place positively reeks of New England nostalgia. I'm not positive about this, but I think the writer Bill Bryson is from there. I think.

Anyway, sorry I have no specific info about Lincoln.

If you can find someplace like Wolfeboro on the north side of Lake Winnipesaukee, it would be fine. Wolfeboro is still quaint and only about an hour to Portland Maine. Heading north you are practically in the mountains. Meredith is congested as well but from there on around the lake it is much quieter. There is summer theater in Meredith but also a very old barn type theater in Tamworth. The best lake would be Squam but that's because there is so few rentals available there and no public beach. Quite a few wealthy owners with old lake cottages whereas as Winnipesaukee is seeing a lot of tear downs with replacement by mini mansions.
Weirs Beach, however, is overcrowded both on land and water. We used to enjoy a drive-in restaurant nearby but it just got too noisy with all the reving engines. It's a popular area for all ages to show off their ride. There's a constant stream of boat traffic on the channel entering the lake. Rt 3 has become a congested nightmare due to the outlet malls in Tilton so you can expect heavy traffic all the way thru Laconia to the lake. Sunapee is a much more sedate lake. So is Newfound. We've stayed on Winnisquam which is near the outlet malls. If you have a cottage and don't need to drive a lot it's ok except for Fri, Sat and Sunday.
The ski area condos should be fine. Get a copy of Hiking in the White Mountains with Children.
If you stayed in the Sunapee area you would be convenient to Rt 89 and closer to VT. Close by is New London, a college town with a summer theater.
BTW for a true New England experience you have to attend a ham and bean supper at the local church or grange. If you choose August, keep your eyes open for wonderful outdoor events, maybe a 4-H fair or free concert on the lawn. It looks like we'll have to miss our favorite Musterfield Old Farm Days this year - Aug 27 & 28. Tractor parade both afternoons. The kids can try walking on stilts and other old time things. There is also a Revoluntionary War encampment. It's in Sutton off Rt 89 NW of Concord but before you get to New London.
Canoing and kayaking are very popular. You will find rental places that will drop you off for an afternoon paddle down the river. Choose rivers and not large lakes where there is too much danger from motorboats.
Vermont is wonderful too and not as developed as NH vacation areas.

Say what you want, but summers in Wolfeboro on Crescent Lake during the '50's were the best. I'd still recommend the town and being on a small quiet lake (safer for kids) or even Rust Pond or Mirror Lake is more fun for kids since there are still some turtles, frogs and fishing to do from a good old rowboat. I knew Crescent Lake like the back of my hand back then and we could walk to town and put on shoes once a week for church on Sundays. There's great golf at Kingswood, the mountains an hour north and beautiful Ogunquit, Maine just an hour east. The fourth of July fair and parade are great as is the hospital street fair in August. Plenty to do for the whole family. Bring some cards/games for rainy days!

About 7 miles outside the small town of Bethel, VT, there is a renovated 1847 farmhouse that would be perfect. It is on a dirt road and the White River runs alongside the other side of the road.

I am not aware of any nearby lakes, but it is only about 30 minutes to Killington and Pico Mountain (lots of great summer fun there) and not much further to Woodstock.

Here is the link to the rental (my sister used to own it, and the renovations have made it even better than it was.

http://www.vermontproperty.com/renta...illington.html

There is also a quite informative thread on New Hampshire and Vermont on anothere travel board that you might want to check out.

http://p104.ezboard.com/feuropetogof...icID=388.topic