What Winnipesaukee is known for

The Winnipesaukee Destination is best known for the Winnipesaukee Lake. Other things the destination is known for are the various lakes in the area and the cities within the area. Near Winnipesaukee Lake, there are many activities visitors can participate in, including the Wright Museum of WWII, Monkey Trunks, the Gunstock Mountain Resort, and Mount Major. The Wright Museum of WWII is home to many exhibits displaying things from the war. Examples are uniforms, weapons, advertisements, and vehicles that were used in the war. Monkey Trunks is an obstacle and rope course that involves a lot of climbing. Guests are given a harness for protection in case of falling. Parts of the obstacle course include rubber tires, ropes, a zip-line, and platforms. 

At the Gunstock Mountain Resort, there are many activities. Some of these include a ropes course, skiing, snowboarding, a ski lift, and seeing outdoor events during the summer. Mount Major has hiking trails that go through forests and rocky areas. From the top, there can be a great view of the lake and forests of the region.[3] Other things to do at Winnipesaukee Lake are boating, fishing, and swimming. One of the cities in the destination is called Manchester. In Manchester, there are multiple things that people can do during their visit. Some of these activities include the Currier Museum of Art, Palace Theatre, Lake Massabesic, Livingston Park, the SEE Science Center, and the Millyard Museum. 

The Currier Museum of Art has many displays from various artists and years. The artwork at the museum has a wide range of different styles and types. Additional art pieces use unorthodox materials and resources. At the Palace Theatre, there are many different performances that are available there, including some for kids. The theatre has various seating areas, each with rows of red chairs. The theatre also has distinct and unique decorations. At Lake Massabesic, visitors can participate in activities such as sailing, boating, fishing, and swimming. 

Livingston Park is comprised of a playground for children, trails, and a pond that freezes over during the winter. As a result, people can walk on the ice during the winter. The SEE Science Center has exhibits on things like LEGOs, dinosaur bones, and electricity. There are various types of activities that children can participate in while at the SEE Science Center. Lastly, the Millyard Museum is a large brick building that houses exhibits on famous people and groups.[4]

Geography

The Winnipesaukee Destination is located in New Hampshire. The border goes along the state border between New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. On the north side, the boundary ends just below Conway and Lincoln. Cities within the destination include Gilford, Laconia, Hanover, Lebanon, Claremont, Rochester, Concord, Dover, Portsmouth, Manchester, Nashua, Keene, and Brattleboro. Lakes inside the region are Winnipesaukee Lake, Squam Lake, Newfound Lake, Lake Sunapee, and Ossipee Lake. 

The average weather of the area has a high of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of about 22 degrees. Rain is more likely to fall in June and less likely in August and November. Snow falls from October to April, with the high being around 11 inches of snow in February. Because of the weather, the most effective time of year to visit the region is from the middle of May to the beginning of October. The most popular times to visit the Winnipesaukee Destination are from June to September.[5] 

Animals in the area include various kinds of fish, bats, and birds, along with beavers, bobcats, coyotes, deer, mice, moles, foxes, otters, and squirrels. Other animals in the area include porcupines, minks, raccoons, shrews, and weasels.[6] Plants indigenous to the territory include irises, peppers, hydrangeas, hostas, daylilies, hibiscuses, Japanese maples, roses, salvias, and tomatoes.[7]

History

The name Winnipesaukee means either "beautiful water in a high place" or "smile of the Great Spirit." The Winnipesaukee people lived and fished in a village called Acquadocton. The Winnipesaukee people were a subtribe called Pennacook. The site the people lived and fished at is called The Weirs for the weirs that were noticed by the colonists exploring the region. Winnipesaukee is a glacial lake, but not an ordinary one. The last glaciation reversed the flow of the water in the lake. It once flowed southeast, leaving what we know as Alton Bay toward the Atlantic Ocean. Years ago, when glacial debris blocked the path, the flow of the water redirected to the west through Paugus Bay into the Winnipesaukee River.[1] 

The city of Manchester is a city within the Winnipesaukee Destination. The city's history begins when John Goffe III settled beside Cohas Brook in 1722 and later built a dam and sawmill that was dubbed "Old Harry's Town." It was granted by Massachusetts to veterans of Queen Anne's War in 1727 as "Tyngstown." The veterans of Queen Anne's War served under Captian William Tyng in 1703. The grant was later ruled invalid and substituted with Wilton, Maine. The substitution resulted in rechartering in 1751 by Governor Benning Wentworth as "Derryfield." Samual Blodget developed a system that allowed vessels to passage around the falls in 1807. The process involved an open canal with a lock system. 

In 1809 Benjamin Prichard, with the help of others, created a water-powered cotton spinning mill. It was located on the western bank of Merrimack. Derryfield was renamed Manchester in 1810, which was the same year the wheel was incorporated as the Amoskeag Cotten and Woolen Manufacturing Company. The company was bought out in 1825 and expanded into three mills one year later. It later became known as the Amoskeag Manufacturing company.[2]