Belmont Town Guide

Belmont sits between Laconia and the hills of Gilmanton, with the long shoreline of Lake Winnisquam along its western edge. It is easy to pass through on the way to somewhere else, since US 3 and Route 11 run along the lake and Routes 106 and 140 cross the town. Slow down, though, and you find a village with a restored brick mill at its center, a bandstand that has won a preservation award, a historic library, and a small set of independent businesses worth a stop. Here are the best things to do in Belmont NH.

None of the businesses in this guide sponsors or endorses this site. Check each one's own website for current details before you go.

A town that changed its name twice

Belmont began as part of Gilmanton. The area was known as "Upper Gilmanton" and was chartered in 1727 as a parish of Gilmanton. It was incorporated as its own town, still called Upper Gilmanton, on June 28, 1859.

Ten years later, in 1869, the town renamed itself Belmont after August Belmont, the New York financier. The hope was that the wealthy namesake would contribute to the young town. He never acknowledged the honor.

The railroad arrived in 1874, when the Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad passed through the northwestern section of Belmont. With water power from the Tioga River, the village grew up as a mill town.

The town is larger than its small village suggests. Belmont covers 31.9 square miles, and the highest point is Cotton Hill at 1,360 feet. The Tioga River runs through town toward Lake Winnisquam. At the 2020 census Belmont had 7,314 residents, of whom 1,285 lived in the village itself, which the census counts as a separate census-designated place.

The Belmont Mill

The brick mill at the center of the village is Belmont's landmark and the subject of our cover photo. It was built in 1833 by the Gilmanton Village Manufacturing Company, which made cotton and woolen textiles. Over the years the mill changed owners, names and products. In 1921 it became the Belmont Hosiery Company, a maker of silk, lisle and woolen stockings, and it closed in 1955.

The building's second life is the reason to stop. Between 1996 and 1998 the town carried out an adaptive reuse project that turned the mill into a community center, with funding from federal Community Development Block Grants, a major private donation and local taxpayers. The project has won regional, statewide and national awards for architectural and preservation excellence, and in 2012 the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance cited it as one of 25 milestone preservation efforts of the previous quarter-century. A state historical marker, number 235, stands on Route 140 near the mill, and in 2014 the building was added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places.

Things to look for on a walk around the mill:

• The brick mill building itself, near the intersection of Routes 106 and 140.
• The historical marker on Route 140.
• The Tioga River, which once powered the mill.

The bandstand, the library and the meeting house

Belmont has a cluster of historic buildings that make an easy walking loop from the mill.

The Belmont Bandstand. In 2015 the village bandstand received the Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Award from the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, recognizing outstanding restoration and rehabilitation. A town that restores its bandstand clearly means to use it, so look for summer community events on the town's calendar.

The Belmont Public Library. The library building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

The Province Road Meeting House. Built in 1792, the meeting house stands on Route 107 and has been on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places since 2003. It dates from Belmont's early days as part of Gilmanton.

Lake Winnisquam

The biggest outdoor draw in Belmont is Lake Winnisquam. At 4,214 acres it is the fourth-largest lake located entirely within New Hampshire, and its maximum depth is 155 feet. The lake has two basins, divided by the bridge that carries US 3 and Route 11 across the water at Winnisquam village.

For a day on the water, Winnisquam Marine is the place to start. It is a family-owned boat dealer with three locations: Belmont on Winnisquam, Laconia on Lake Winnipesaukee, and Ossipee. Its website lists boat sales, service and rentals, and the Belmont location has a marina with a fuel dock and storage. If you do not own a boat, a rental is the simplest way to see the lake from the water.

Tips for a lake day:

• Reserve a rental early. Summer weekends are the obvious busy time on any lake in the region.
• Know the bridge. The US 3 and Route 11 crossing divides the two basins of the lake, so plan your route.
• Bring layers. Wind on open water can feel cooler than it does on shore.

Where to eat

Tilly Market Cafe is a counter-service cafe with specialty coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and grain and acai bowls. It also has a wine store and offers catering, so it works for both breakfast on the way to the lake and a picnic to take with you.

China Garden Restaurant is a Chinese restaurant in Belmont. Check its website for the current menu and ordering options.

Belmont's location also puts you within a short drive of Laconia's restaurants if you want more choice.

Where to shop

Kate's Candle Co makes candles from 100 percent soy wax, along with soaps and diffusers. Its Wildflower Collection uses plantable paper, so part of the packaging can go into the garden after you use the candle. It is a good stop for a small gift that is made locally.

Grove Shops specializes in olive oils and balsamic vinegars, along with chocolates and gift baskets. If you are putting together a picnic for the lake or a host gift for a weekend at a rental, it is worth a look.

A suggested day in Belmont

1. Morning. Coffee and a pastry at Tilly Market Cafe, then a picnic order to go.

2. Late morning. Walk the village: the Belmont Mill, the historical marker on Route 140, the bandstand and the library.

3. Afternoon. Rent a boat from Winnisquam Marine and spend a few hours on Lake Winnisquam.

4. Late afternoon. Stop at Kate's Candle Co and Grove Shops for gifts.

5. Evening. Dinner at China Garden, or head into Laconia.

Getting there

Belmont is in Belknap County in the Lakes Region. Route 106 passes through the town center, connecting Laconia to the north with Loudon and Concord to the south. Route 140 crosses Route 106 in the village, leading east to Gilmanton and Alton and west to Tilton. US 3 and Route 11 run together through the northwest corner of town along Lake Winnisquam, toward Laconia in one direction and Tilton and Franklin in the other. Neighboring towns are Laconia, Gilford, Gilmanton, Northfield, Tilton and Sanbornton.

FAQ

What is Belmont, NH known for?

The restored 1833 Belmont Mill in the village center, the award-winning bandstand, and access to Lake Winnisquam.

Why is the town called Belmont?

It was renamed in 1869 after the financier August Belmont. Before that it was Upper Gilmanton, a parish of Gilmanton chartered in 1727.

How big is Lake Winnisquam?

It covers 4,214 acres, making it the fourth-largest lake entirely within New Hampshire, with a maximum depth of 155 feet.

Can I rent a boat in Belmont?

Yes. Winnisquam Marine lists boat rentals, and its Belmont location has a marina with a fuel dock.

Sources

• Belmont, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (history, name, geography, population, historic sites): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmont,_New_Hampshire
• Belmont (CDP), New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmont_(CDP),_New_Hampshire
• Belmont Mill, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmont_Mill
• Lake Winnisquam, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Winnisquam
• Winnisquam Marine: https://winnisquammarine.com/
• Tilly Market Cafe: https://www.tillycafe.com/
• Kate's Candle Co: https://www.katescandleco.com/
• Grove Shops: https://groveshops.com/
• China Garden Restaurant: https://chinagardenbelmont.com/