85 Years of Being the Best New Hampshire Lake Resort

An old time picture of the original New Hampshire Lake ResortClimbing to the top of the New Hampshire lake resorts list hasn’t been an easy task. From the first time Jim and Fannie Salta sold bottled water and baked beans to travelers from their general store in the 1930s, to now, when guests can enjoy lakeside delectables from The NazBar & Grill or Blue Bistro, the love of hospitality has been inherited from generation to generation. Whether it be hurricanes, floods, recessions, or pandemics, NASWA Resort has stood triumphant in the face of adversity. 

Family Traditions at Lake Winnipesaukee

New Hampshire lake resorts are an excellent place to start family traditions and adventures. “We are so grateful that our guests have allowed us to be a part of their families’ memories,” said Cynthia Makris, operations manager. This is very fitting considering Cynthia is the granddaughter of the original owners and her mother, Hope Makris—the Matriarch of Hospitality in New Hampshire—is the current owner. So, NASWA Resort has established itself as a multi-generational business, but also serves as a multi-generational New Hampshire summer vacation destination. Many of NASWA’s “resident families” have been visiting the Lake Winnipesaukee resort since its inception. 

New Hampshire Summer Vacations

An old time image of some of the first cabins that were built at NASWA Resort.What started as nine cabins (five original open-air cabins and then four, two-bedroom cabins with screens were built later) across the street from the general store, has evolved into a spectacular New Hampshire lake resort on Lake Winnipesaukee. Although the nine original cottages are no longer there, the commitment to hospitality will forever be intact. After the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 destroyed the first nine cabins, “Papou” Jim decided to build 11. Today, there is a myriad of cottages, suites, or rooms to choose from at NASWA Resort.

As the demands of the travel industry grew, so did the operation. Since the early days, NASWA has continuously adapted to the needs of tourists. Docks, kayaks, and paddle boats eventually became staples, and casual and fine dining were added. Waterfront and lakeside buildings have proven to be excellent improvements to the resort and continue to draw visitors from all over the region. In addition to the many amenities, various feature activities and charitable events, like the Peter Makris Memorial Run, have contributed significantly to NASWA’s standing among New Hampshire lake resorts.

NASWA Resort on Lake Winnipesaukee 

What started as the Natural Spring Water Company has become the quintessential Lake Winnipesaukee resort. For 85 years, NASWA Resort has set the bar and defined what it means to have a passionate commitment to hospitality. As we continue to celebrate this momentous occasion, we invite you to find out why we’re among the best New Hampshire lake resorts by contacting us online or calling 888-55-NASWA. Since Jim and Fannie rented out the first cottage in 1935, many things have changed, but their philosophy remains timeless: Treat every guest like family.

Deck the Halls with A Holiday Gift Certificate

No matter how much time you have to prepare, holiday gift shopping is always a chore. It’s rather challenging to come up with a unique and thoughtful gift for all of your loved ones. For this year’s holiday season, there’s no need to strain yourself with lush Christmas gifts. Our crew here at NASWA Resort boasts an impressive assortment of gifts to give your family. No matter who you’re shopping for this holiday season, you’ll find everything you need including gift certificates and more.

A Holiday Gift Certificate: The Perfect Gift for Everyone

While some people enjoy spending days on end in the mall, checking out every furry sweater, smelling every candle, and testing every shade of red lipstick, this process isn’t for everyone. Luckily, many people find a holiday gift certificate to be just as enjoyable. When you give your loved one a holiday gift certificate to NASWA Resort, they’re able to plan a vacation based on their availability! It serves the same excitement as a surprise vacation without the stress of adjusting their preexisting plans. With countless things to do on Lake Winnipesaukee, our holiday gift certificate is the perfect gift for your entire family! Our three-day special starts on November 30th through Dec 2nd offers a 15 percent bonus card with the purchase of a holiday gift certificate. The special continues through December 18th which provides a 10 percent bonus card.

Spread Some Christmas Cheer with the Gift of “NazGear”

If your loved one has already visited and fallen in love with Lake Winnipesaukee, check out our on-site NazShop! Our Resort’s store has a wide variety of merchandise, also known as NazGear, to give this holiday season. Some of our new items include festive baseball hats, vintage style t-shirts, tropic orange beach towels, large beverage tumblers, and festive magnets. Our NazGear pairs wonderfully with our special holiday gift certificates. You can tuck away the certificate inside our sorbet-lettered, navy blue baseball hat, and it will surprise your loved one with two gifts in one. Plus, our bright hats look great when dressed with your favorite vibrant bathing suits. Tag us in your photos next summer when you’re enjoying the lake on one of the area’s most enjoyable Lake Winnipesaukee boat rentals! You know what they say, “the best days are spent on a boat,” especially on Lake Winnipesaukee.

The Best of the Best Lake Winnipesaukee Resorts: The NASWA Resort

No matter how you picture taking a family vacation, Lake Winnipesaukee is so massive that there are countless activities to keep everyone happy all vacation long. Your family will be even more pleased when you’re staying at one of the best Lake Winnipesaukee resorts around, such as The NASWA Resort. Our weekly cottages include amenities such as 15 percent off dinner for houseguests, a complimentary mimosa with your purchased breakfast, and children 12-years-old and under eat free when accompanied by an adult in the Blue Bistro for breakfast and dinner.

This holiday gift certificate will give you a Christmas on the beach during our open season! It’s a dream come true. You’ll quickly learn that no matter what gift you were hoping to find, a vacation at Lake Winnipesaukee will satisfy your every need. Gifted vacations at Lake Winnipesaukee truly embrace the magic of Christmas. To learn more about Lake Winnipesaukee Christmas gift exchange ideas, talk to our friendly NASWA Resort crew at 603-366-4341.

 

Top Three Haunted Places in NH

New Hampshire is notoriously known for its countless haunted places. The haunted places in NH are haunted by everything from a loving pirate to unruly children and unsettled spirits in cemeteries to past workers who burned in fires. Are you brave enough to explore these haunted spots “near me?” There’s only one way to find out. Be mindful of some properties’ current owners as some do not welcome uninvited guests.  

Kimball Castle, Gilford | 11-minute drive

Located in Gilford, the historic Kimball Castle has remained vacant for nearly 60 years. IT continues to overlook Lake Winnipesaukee, regardless of its deteriorating foundation. While Kimball Castle no longer welcomes visitors, the stories of its unexplainable, paranormal activities are still circulated from locals to tourists. The stories claim that antique clocks randomly start working after years of being out of service, and the lights flicker on and off. All past visitors agree that they felt uneasy being near the castle. The alleged spirit that calls Kimball Castle home is not friendly and prefers to be left alone. Although, Kimball Castle was recently purchased and will be turned into a wedding and event venue. 

Pine Hill Cemetery, Hollis | 1-hour and 25-minute drive

What is Halloween without visiting a haunted cemetery or two? Locals reference Pine Hill Cemetery as the Blood Cemetery because of its dark history. Pine Hill Cemetery is home to over 300 gravestones that date back to the 1700s. Visitors have allegedly heard unexplained tapping sounds and have seen floating orbs of light. There’s one specific spirit who is said to make regular appearances, Abel Blood. Abel was a faithful Christian man who was laid to rest with his wife, Betsy Blood, in 1867. The stories say that the Bloods were murdered, but no one has been able to confirm their cause of death. Although, the cemetery’s past visitors can confirm they believe Abel lingers the grave in a scary form. During the day, Abel’s headstone can be seen with an engraved hand that points the index finger up toward the sky. If you’re brave enough to visit Pine Hill Cemetery at night, keep a close eye on his grave marker. Stories claim that his grave marker changes colors and his headstone’s engraved hand flips to point the finger down. 

Ocean-Born Mary House, Henniker | 1-hour drive 

The Ocean-Born Mary House is a bit of a trip away, but paranormal activity enthusiasts will find the journey well worth the experience. The Henniker house is allegedly haunted by a woman named Mary, who was widowed at a young age. She was traumatized after finding her husband’s murdered body and decided to bury him under her kitchen’s stone. Visitors claim to see a ghostly woman with fiery red hair and green eyes appear in one of the upstairs windows. She’s also been seen on the house’s main staircase when visitors first arrive. While this sounds like a terrifying supernatural encounter, visitors believe she still lingers around to protect her home. 

 

Naswa Resort

Locals and visitors appreciate our surrounding natural beauty, but they also adore the haunted places in NH. Whether you believe in paranormal activity or not, haunted places hold so much history and tell you a lot about our culture. It’s fun to scare yourself every once in a while. Especially when you have a comfortable, ghost-free cabin is waiting for you at NASWA Resort after a long day of ghost hunting. Don’t be a scaredy-cat and book your New Hampshire vacation today! Learn more information on our website, or just give us a call at 888-556-2792. 

 

Explore Fall Foliage in New Hampshire

Explore Fall Foliage in New Hampshire

When the nights grow cool and the days are warm, Lake Winnipesaukee’s leaves morph into a festival of colors. People from all over the world flock to see the fall foliage in New Hampshire that never disappoints. To say the least, the amber Sugar Maples, cranberry Red Maples, golden yellow birches, and copper leafed oaks put on quite the show. Peak color season changes per location based on temperature and elevation; Usually, fall foliage appears in mid-September and lasts through late October. Naswa Resort is located by the best scenic spots in all of New Hampshire. We’ve narrowed down the choices to our top five places around Lake Winnipesaukee.

  1.  Guests visiting from out of town especially love to experience New Hampshire’s fall foliage by boat. Whether you find a boat rental or take a guided cruise on the M/S Mount Washington, you’ll see the same amount of fall foliage. There are many boat rental facilities around Lake Winnipesaukee, so you’ll have no problem finding the boat you need.
  2. Gunstock Mountain also has an impressive nature palette. You can travel to the mountain’s summit by hiking or riding a chairlift. The trek to the top of the hill is well worth the hassle; the beautiful leaves and picturesque views cannot be found anywhere else. Be sure to take pictures!
  3. Guests of all ages will love the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. Hop on the train and ride along the coast of Lake Winnipesaukee. You’ll catch different views of the fall foliage than you would from a boat or a mountain. Opt for a quick afternoon ride or an all-day tour. The train even offers a dinner trip, which would be a great date night!
  4. For our more adventurous visitors, you’ll love to take a hike through Belknap Mountain. The easy walk is excellent for gaining an elevated view of the fall foliage. After reaching the summit, take a rest on the stone benches while taking in the scenery.
  5. Another popular hike for fall foliage is at Mount Major in Alton Bay. This hike is on the challenging side, so be sure to review the mountain’s terrain before attempting this journey. If you’re able to do the climb, the views of Lake Winnipesaukee are second to none.

Naswa Resort

Seeing the fall foliage in New Hampshire is an unforgettable experience. Especially because Lake Winnipesaukee’s region has one of the longest-lasting color displays around. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery during your stay with Naswa Resort. Our luxurious amenities will make you and your loved ones feel right at home. To learn more about booking your fall vacation, visit our website, or give us a call at  603-366-4341.

Check out the current specials and save big on early season bookings!View Specials