In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Jun–Aug for lake and concerts; Dec–Mar for skiing
- Avoid
- Apr and Nov (mud season, many attractions closed)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $80–120 excl. bed · Mid $120–200 excl. bed · High $200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 911 · Laconia Police (non-emergency) +1 603 524-5252
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | $2.50–5.00 |
| Lunch sandwich | $8–14 |
| Dinner entrée | $18–35 |
| Beer (draft) | $5–8 |
| Gasoline (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MHT · Manchester-Boston Regional
- About 1 h 15 min drive; rental car recommended
- BOS · Boston Logan International
- About 2 h drive; more flight options
Typical fares
- 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
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get 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.
See and do
Known for
- Gunstock Mountain
- Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook
- Lake Winnipesaukee access
- Benjamin Rowe House
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Laconia | Car via Route 11, about 10 min | 10 min |
| Meredith | Car via Route 3, about 20 min | 20 min |
| Alton, New Hampshire | Car via Route 11, about 25 min | 25 min |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hellohello |
| Thank you | Thank youthank you |
| How much? | How much?how much |
| Where is the bathroom? | Where is the bathroom?where is the bathroom |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Very safe. The main risks are traffic on Route 11A during concerts and icy roads in winter.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Gilford yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gunstock Mountain
- Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook
- Lake Winnipesaukee access
- Benjamin Rowe House
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Gilford, revision 4444659 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4444659
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Gilford
Take me to this address, please
Take me to this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Laconia Police (non-emergency)+1 603 524-5252
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/gilford). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.