3 Lake Towns in New England Make America’s ‘Best of the Best’ List

We think of our beaches so much more in New England than lakes, since we simply have more of them.  Our New England coastline is incredible, so when a list of the best lake towns in the country includes three in New England, you have to cheer.

Congratulations to New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont for tackling a tough list that includes the clearest, most sough-after lakes with lively towns.  Whether you want to boat, paddle board, swim, or just hand out in the casual lake towns for shopping and dining, here we go for New England.

Let’s start with the obvious, which is New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro.  I mean, I’d be horrified if it didn’t make it, as I’m sure you would, too.  We know it’s an incredible lake and area, as is the lakes region of New Hampshire as a whole. Travel and Leisure says Lake Winnipesaukee is the best lake town in the entire northeast, especially being just a couple of hours from Boston and an hour and a half from Portland, Maine. There’s a stunning 72 square miles of water with little beaches scattered throughout, as well as restaurants, breweries, hotels, and inns.

Now to Maine, home to literally thousands of lakes and ponds. However, only one made this exclusive list, and that’s Rangeley Lake in Rangeley, Maine, near the northwest corner of the state.  Travel and Leisure said it made the list of the top 15 because of its terrific fishing, especially trout and salmon.  The canoeing, kayaking, and swimming is also super popular as you enjoy around 870 acres of mountainous terrain.  From cabins to inns and hotels around a tiny town, it’s an ideal lake town getaway.

Rounding out New England is Vernennes, Vermont, near Lake Champlain and Burlington, according to Travel and Leisure.  Super old-world New England makes for a unique vacation on one of the most well-known hidden gems of a lake in the country. It's near the New York border, and just a quick drive to the lake for every lake-related activity possible. You just need to head to the closest resort area of Basin Harbor, which has been around for more than 50 years.