Sunapee: Lake, Riverwalk, and Local History

Sunapee can be explored through several interests: Lake Sunapee and the harbor, walks and parks, and local history. The town borders Lake Sunapee and Mount Sunapee, making the lake and mountain two clear geographic reference points. If you’re looking for accommodations in Sunapee, first consider whether the lake and harbor, walks, or history and culture are the main reasons for your trip.

Lake Sunapee and Sunapee Harbor

Sunapee Harbor offers public access, a boat ramp, and public parks. The harbor and beaches provide views of Lake Sunapee. In historic Sunapee Harbor, you can also take a self-guided tour using the CLIO app. It includes maps, historical and current images, and information about local history. Alongside views of the lake, this offers a way to explore the harbor’s history.

Walks and Parks

The Riverwalk in Sunapee offers an interesting, scenic walk. Coffin Park, a scenic and historic retreat, is located along the Sunapee Riverwalk. This clearly connects the walk with the park. Tilton Park offers something different: it is home to Sunapee’s only free 9-hole disc golf course. Tilton Park is also known as Ski Tow Hill and is connected to the Sun-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Trail. For getting your bearings, these names and places each have their own associations: the Riverwalk is associated with the walk, while Tilton Park is associated with the disc golf course and the Greenway Trail.

Local History in Parks and Exhibits

Several places reflect different chapters of Sunapee’s history. Hames Park recalls the history of hame manufacturing. The Sunapee Historical Society’s collection includes artifacts from Sunapee’s major hotel and steamboat era. The Sunapee Archives features exhibits about the town’s history. The collection and exhibits offer different historical points of interest: one focuses on artifacts from a particular era, while the other presents exhibits about local history.

The Livery carries on the history of the steamboat era in a preserved building. It is the last surviving large commercial building from that era. Today, The Livery is used for performances and art exhibitions. The building’s historical significance and its cultural use today are distinct aspects, without conflating its former role with how it is used now.

Music and Recurring Events

In summer, a music series takes place at the Ben Mere Bandstand every Wednesday evening. The specific seasonal program may vary, so if you’d like to plan your trip around the music, check the dates. The Town of Sunapee Recreation Department organizes the annual Great Watermelon Derby. It is another event to consider alongside the summer series. If the derby is important to your plans, check the date in advance.

Local attractions range from views of the lake and a self-guided tour to walks, disc golf, local history, and recurring events. Which ones matter most to you depends on whether you’d like to focus your stay on scenery, outdoor activity, culture, or history.

For the broader travel overview: Sullivan County.