Major city · United States
Gilford
Half a day to one night: Gunstock Mountain in winter, Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in summer, and Lake Winnipesaukee access from the town docks.
Gilford sits on the north shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire's Lakes Region. It's a base for Gunstock Mountain's ski runs and summer alpine slide, the outdoor concert venue at Meadowbrook, and quick boat access to the lake. Most visitors stay one night or pass through on a day trip from Laconia or Meredith.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug for lake and concerts; Dec–Mar for skiing
- avoid Apr and Nov (mud season, many attractions closed)
- Airports
- MHT · BOS
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Gilford911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Laconia Police (non-emergency)+1 603 524-5252
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gilford, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 603 524-5252 Laconia Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 1 h 15 min drive; rental car recommended).
- Getting aroundA car is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2.50–5.00
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée$18–35
- Street or quick mealLunch sandwich$8–14
- BeerBeer (draft)$5–8
- Budget bedMotel room (2 adults), a night, per roomUS$100
- Mid-range bedMotel room (2 adults), a night, per roomUS$160
- High-end bedMotel room (2 adults), a night, per roomUS$250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 1 h 15 min drive; rental car recommended) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 2 h drive; more flight options)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: Jun–Aug, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gilford: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
10 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
9 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is essential. The town has no public transit; everything is along Route 11 and Route 11A. Parking is free at Gunstock and the pavilion.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 10 min
Car via Route 11, about 10 min
Lakeside dining and the Weirs Beach boardwalk.
Meredith
goDoor to door: 20 min
Car via Route 3, about 20 min
Downtown shops and a public dock on the lake.
Alton, New Hampshire
goDoor to door: 25 min
Car via Route 11, about 25 min
Quiet lake town with a public beach.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Route 11A corridor near Gunstock
Closest to the mountain and the pavilion; motels and lodges.
Gilford village / lake shore
Quieter, with lake views and private rentals.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room (2 adults)1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Gunstock lift ticket (one day)2 × US$80 · check | US$160 |
| Alpine slide ticket2 × US$25 · check | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$67 |
| Trip total≈ US$369 per person per day, bed included | US$737 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2.50–5.00 |
| Lunch sandwich | $8–14 |
| Dinner entrée | $18–35 |
| Beer (draft) | $5–8 |
| Gasoline (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Concert traffic on Route 11A can back up for 30 min before and after shows.
- Gunstock's alpine slide and zipline operate only in summer; check the calendar.
- Lake access points are limited: use the town beach or public boat launch.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Laconia Police (non-emergency)
- +1 603 524-5252
Pocket card
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GilfordGilford
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Laconia Police (non-emergency)+1 603 524-5252
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Manchester airport to Gilford: about $60–80 by taxi or rideshare, about 1 h 15 min
- Boston airport to Gilford: about $150–200 by taxi or rideshare, about 2 h
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gilford. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug for lake and concerts; Dec–Mar for skiing · avoid Apr and Nov (mud season, many attractions closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Gilford
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