Squam Lakes Natural Science Center http://www.nhnature.org/

Continue down Rt. 3 into Holderness, make a left on Route 113 North and it’s just up on the left side of the road. Has a great new playground, and fun animal exhibits. They also provide boat tours of the lake. Call to find out if anything special is going on and/or hours of the tours. 603-968-7194

Holderness Library - http://holdernesslibrary.org/

On the corner of Rt 3 and Route 113 in Holderness. Cute kids room in the basement and sometimes has special activities. 603-968-7006

Squam Lakes Association (Boat Rentals) -- 534 Us Route 3, Holderness, NH 03245

To get to Squam Lakes Association (SLA) directly it's the same directions as above but stay on US-3 (don't turn left onto SR-175) and go through the town of Holderness. From the Holderness Public Library or the Post Office, SLA is about 1.6 miles down US-3 on the left side after a wooded area and the lake viewable on your left.

http://www.squamlakes.org/natural-areas-trails-and-recreation/boat-rentals

There is also a kayak/boat retail in the center of Holderness, though we haven’t tried it ourselves. Asquam Marina - http://www.asquammarina.com/

Hiking

Easy hike - great view of Squam

West Rattlesnake: Take Route 113 out of Holderness for 5.3 miles. Parking area on north side of road.

General map of the West Rattlesnake area: http://www.nhdfl.org/library/pdf/Natural%20Heritage/WestRatt2.pdf

Longer hike, moderately difficult. Two swimming beaches along the way and then "jumping rock".

Five Finger Point Trail: Take Route 113 out of Holderness for 5 miles, turn right onto Pinehurst Rd. The road is marked with a white and green sign for Rockywold - Deephaven Camps. Follow Pinehurst Rd for 9/10 mile. Park along road at the stone gatepost, near a white and green sign: No Parking beyond this point -- All trails 300 ft.

** Follow signs for "All Trails" then they'll be a junction after the first leg of the trail. Stay right, cross over the small brook and follow the signs for "Five Finger Point Trail". Hike for about 30 minutes and you'll arrive at a sign for the trail which goes in basically a loop at that point. Take it counter-clockwise to the right and you'll get to the first "finger" outcropping of land (very nice view when you walk out on it) and then two beaches down the trail. About 10 mins past the second beach on your right a trail will take you to "jumping rock" which is about a 10ft jump off a boulder into the lake. You can either continue on and loop back to the sign or turn back and return the way you came.

More intense, longer hike (3+ miles) with great view of Squam Lake and Winnipesaukee: Fire Tower / Red Hill Trail in Sandwich

http://www.hikenewengland.com/RedHill080405.html

Other Favorite Outings within ½ hour, as judged by kids:

M&M Scoops Ice Cream in Plymouth-taste Cherry Moose Tracks!- https://www.facebook.com/MNMScoops

Fun Spot Arcade, Laconia - http://www.funspotnh.com/

Pirates Cove Mini Golf - http://www.piratescove.net/weirs-beach

Lost River Gorge - http://www.findlostriver.com/

Polar Caves - http://www.polarcaves.com/

Loon Mountain Adventure Zip Lines - http://www.loonmtn.com/experience/summer-activities/zipline

Whale's Tale Water Park - http://whalestalewaterpark.net/

Weirs Beach Drive-In Theater - http://weirsdrivein.com/

Meredith Movie Theater - http://barnzs.com/location/3120/BarnZs-Meredith-Cinema-Showtimes

Family-friendly Dining:

Lucky Dog Pub (Our new #1 pub) - Plymouth - http://www.luckydogtavernandgrill.com/

Town Docks (on the water, fun drinks too) - Meredith - http://www.thecman.com/restaurants-and-menus/town-docks.aspx

Common Man- Ashland- http://www.thecman.com/restaurants-and-menus/common-man-restaurants/common-man-ashland.aspx

Italian Farmhouse- Plymouth-http://www.thecman.com/restaurants-and-menus/italian-farmhouse.aspx

Village Pizza - Ashland - http://www.villagepizzaandgrill.com/