Historic New Hampshire Travel Destination!

LACONIA, N.H. - Oct. 10, 2016 - PRLog -- A lot has happened since 1936! The Lakes Region family of tourism professionals has made the region a premier destination for travelers from all over the world. Those seeking a quintessential New England experience, find the astounding beauty of the New Hampshire's Lakes Region unsurpassed.

There are some 15 Lakes Region businesses that have been family owned and operated for over 50 years!
Ames Farm Inn – The oldest family-owned and operated business is the Ames Farm Inn, located on the shores of Winnipesaukee in Gilford.  The property was first purchased and operated as a working farm in 1777.

Purity Springs Resort – The Hoyt family of East Madison has been providing year-round family camp destinations since the 1800's. This 4^th generation family-owned business operates an Inn, house rentals, lodging rooms, campground, restaurant and ski area.

Half Moon Cottages  – In the 1930's, Robert Wagner constructed the Half Moon Tea Room, a restaurant, snack bar, bowling alley and cabins on Lakeside Avenue in Weirs Beach.   The property has continued to grow throughout the years.  Sidney Ames purchased the property in the 1950's and has been family-owned and operated for over 50 years.

Hart's Turkey Farm – Russ and Larry Hart and their wives established this unique brand in the late 1940's. They left New Jersey to begin farming in New Hampshire.  Helen and Gerda helped their husbands grow vegetables and apples.  In addition, the two couples sold chickens, eggs and turkeys from a delivery truck.  In 1953, they raised turkeys exclusively and in 1954 opened a 12-seat restaurant specializing in turkey sandwiches and dinners.

Clark's Trading Post – Florence and Ed Clark opened "Ed Clark's Eskimo Sled Dog Ranch" in 1928.  It featured guided tours of their pure-bred Eskimo sled dogs and artifacts from the far North.  The Trading Post offered souvenirs, tonic and maple candy to visitors.

Maxfield Real Estate – Founded in 1954, the Maxfield family has provided real estate services for over 60 years.  Chip Maxfield, President and co-owner and wife Tina Maxfield bring a lifetime of real estate experience to the region.

NASWA Resort – Jim and Fannie Salta were exploring a rocky hillside near Weirs Beach and found a natural spring of clear water.  The purchased the property in 1935 and founded the Natural Spring Water Company.  They sold spring water and homemade baked beans cooked in an outdoor oven from their general store.  The resort features a large sandy beach, a beach bar called the NazBar and Grill, and an upscale restaurant called the Blue Bistro.


Santa's Village – Owned and operated by three generations of its founding family for 64 years, Santa's Village offers rides, shows, visits with Santa, crafts and fun for the entire family. Located in Jefferson, NH Santa's Village opened in 1953 and is a unique Christmas-themed amusement park featuring 23 rides and spectacular shows.  Normand and Cecile Dubois were in the dry cleaning and clothing business on Main Street in Jefferson for more than a decade when they decided to open a Christmas-themed amusement park!

Pow-Wow Lodges – Located on Mirror Lake, just outside the quaint and picturesque town of Wolfeboro, NH, Pow-Wow Lodges provide cottages and motel suites offering guests a relaxing experience of nature along this pristine lake with mountain views.


Irwin Marine – What's a lakeside vacation without a full-service marina?  Irwin Marine was established in 1919 by Jim Irwin Sr. Jim was a musician from South Boston who came to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire with his trumpet and his band to play for weddings, dance parties, dinners, clambakes and picnics.

Margate Resort – For over 64 years the Margate Resort has been family-owned and operated by the Antico/Parisi family.  On the shores of Paugus Bay, the resort has a beautiful sandy beach and outdoor beach bar serving lunch or dinner.

Abakee Cottages – Once a part of the Indian village known as Aquedoctan, Abakee Cottages are on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and offer an impressive view of the White Mountains, Mt. Chocorua, the Ossipee Range and Mt. Washington. Owner Denise Poirier is proud of the natural and secluded setting located at the end of a private road.

Fay's Marina – In 1944, Fay's Marina, a full service marina, was established in Gilford on Lake Winnipesaukee. Led by Merrill Fay, this third generation family business prides itself on its personal service, offering pre-owned boats, new boats, boat rentals, slips, storage and boat repairs and are top rated in power and sailboat brands and service.

Lamprey Real Estate – Robert Lamprey Jr. and his brother Stewart formed Lamprey & Lamprey in 1945.  Today, Bob's daughter Mary is at the helm and the company remains one of the oldest independent agencies in the area.

FunSpot – At the age of 21, Bob Lawton borrowed $750 from his grandmother Mary Long, to start his own miniature golf course and arcade.   FunSpot is now the largest arcade in the world, according to Guinness World Records, with over 600 games of all types and 75,000 square feet of family entertainment.  It is a family business and Bob, now in his 80's continues to work over 60 hours a week and opens FunSpot daily!

Amy Landers, Executive Director of the Lakes Region Tourism Association encourages other Lakes Region businesses and visitors to send their stories about this premier vacation destination. "We are using this 80 year milestone as an opportunity to thank and honor these great businesses and the families that keep them running," Landers comments. "We urge everyone to send in photos and stories so we can continue the legacy of hospitality that we as a group have built."  Share your stories and photos at https://www.lakesregion.org/stories

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