Weirs Beach is Laconia's beloved lakeside resort strip, drawing visitors with its sandy shore, classic boardwalk, and lively summertime atmosphere on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Weirs Beach sits along the western shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia, New Hampshire, and has served as a gathering place for summer visitors since the railroad brought tourists here in the nineteenth century. The name itself comes from the wooden weirs, or fish traps, that the Abenaki people once set in the channel, a quiet reminder of the area's long history before the boardwalk and the bumper boats arrived.
Today the strip hums with the energy of a classic American beach town. Families spread towels on the sandy beach while teenagers feed quarters into arcade machines and couples stroll past souvenir shops toward the water. The Winnipesaukee Pier juts out into the lake and serves as a hub for boat tours and scenic cruises that give you a broader sense of just how vast the lake really is.
Every June, Weirs Beach transforms into the epicenter of Laconia Motorcycle Week, one of the oldest motorcycle rallies in the country, drawing riders from across the region. The rest of the summer settles into a gentler pace, with boat tours departing regularly and the drive-in theater offering a nostalgic end to long warm days.
Weirs Beach rewards those who slow down and soak it in, a place where the pleasures are uncomplicated and the lake views are genuinely hard to leave.
Visit during the week in July or August to enjoy the beach and boardwalk without the peak weekend crowds.
Arrive by boat if you can, docking at the public pier for a classic Lakes Region arrival.
Try the fried dough or soft-serve ice cream from the boardwalk stands for an authentic Weirs Beach experience.
Pack water shoes, as the sandy bottom near the swimming area can give way to rocky patches in spots.
Check the schedule for Laconia Motorcycle Week in June if you want to see the strip at its most electric.
Discover Lake Winnipesaukee history on a 2.5-hour cruise with onboard dining and bar service.
Sail at sunset with a dinner buffet and live entertainment
Cruise Lake Winnipesaukee with an unlimited brunch buffet
Dine on an unlimited brunch buffet on a narrated Lake Winnipesaukee cruise
Cruise the lake and watch Weirs Beach fireworks from the water
Meet a storybook princess for tea, royal lessons, and lakeside photos
Desserts and dark tales on Lake Winnipesaukee
Cocktails, Galley Bites, and Island Views from the Water