Family Day in Laconia: Kid-Friendly Stops

Laconia is the hub of the Lakes Region, and families usually know it for one thing: Weirs Beach in summer. But the city works for kids well beyond July. It has a nature center with trails and programs, a year-round indoor ice arena, a historic mill museum, and, when the weather warms, go-karts and a drive-in theater. This guide covers things to do with kids in Laconia NH across the seasons, with businesses and organizations from our directory.

Laconia at a glance

Laconia is the county seat of Belknap County. The 2020 census counted 16,871 residents. The city sits between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam and includes the villages of Lakeport and Weirs Beach.

The area has deep roots. A large Abenaki settlement called Aquadoctan once stood at The Weirs, which colonists named for the fishing weirs they found at the outlet of the Winnipesaukee River. Endicott Rock, a local landmark at The Weirs, commemorates a surveying party that visited around 1652. These stories make good material for curious kids on a walk.

For planning, think of Laconia in two parts. Downtown and the neighborhoods south of the lake hold the year-round stops. Weirs Beach, on Winnipesaukee to the north, is the summer side of the city.

Year-round stops

• Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center on White Oaks Road is a nature center with walking trails, a preschool, seasonal camps, field trips and public programs and workshops. It is one of the best places in the region to get kids outside and learning, and the trails make a good low-key outing in any season. Check the center's site for its trail hours and dog policy before you go.
• Merrill Fay Arena on Province Road is an indoor ice rink offering public skating, learn-to-skate lessons, stick and puck sessions and birthday parties. Public skating schedules change through the year, so check before you drive over.
• Jump N Joy, also on Province Road, is an indoor recreation and party venue, useful to know about for a rainy day or a birthday.

History and the arts

• The Belknap Mill in downtown Laconia is a historic mill building turned museum and community space. Its galleries explore the building's architecture and the city's industrial heritage, and the mill runs classes, workshops and kids and family programs. It is a good choice for a family with a young history or machinery fan, and it pairs well with a walk along the river downtown.

Summer at The Weirs

When warm weather arrives, Weirs Beach becomes the center of family life in Laconia.

• Weirs Beach Go-Kart Track runs a quarter-mile paved outdoor course with 16 double-seated go-karts that reach up to 20 miles per hour. The double seats mean younger kids can ride along with an adult; the track posts its own rider requirements. It is a seasonal attraction.
• Weirs Drive-In Theater is a classic American drive-in in the heart of Weirs Beach, a landmark for generations, with movie nights under the stars in season. A double feature from the car is a memorable night for kids who have only seen movies indoors.

Two lakes, one city

One of the easiest things to do with kids in Laconia costs nothing: look at the water. The city touches both Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam, and the Winnipesaukee River runs through downtown between them. A short drive lets kids see how the lakes connect, and it turns a map lesson into something they can actually see.

At The Weirs, Endicott Rock commemorates the 1652 surveying party sent to find the head of the Merrimack River. It is a quick stop, but it gives older kids a concrete link to the history they read about in school. In spring, before the summer crowds, The Weirs is quiet enough to walk the waterfront and talk about how the area looked when the Abenaki fished there.

A simple one-day plan (spring or fall)

1. Morning: walk the trails at Prescott Farm.

2. Lunch: downtown Laconia.

3. Early afternoon: the Belknap Mill's galleries.

4. Late afternoon: public skating at Merrill Fay Arena, if a session is scheduled.

A simple one-day plan (summer)

1. Morning: a nature program or trail walk at Prescott Farm before the heat.

2. Midday: head to Weirs Beach for lake views and a picnic.

3. Afternoon: go-karts at the Weirs Beach track.

4. Evening: a movie at the Weirs Drive-In.

Matching stops to ages

• Toddlers and preschoolers: Prescott Farm's trails, and a ride-along go-kart lap with a parent in summer.
• Elementary ages: skating lessons, the Belknap Mill's family programs and the drive-in.
• Tweens and teens: stick and puck sessions, driving their own go-kart if they meet the track's requirements, and longer trail walks.

Laconia by season

Spring: stick to indoor stops and short, muddy-boot walks at Prescott Farm. Many summer attractions at The Weirs are still closed.

Summer: The Weirs comes alive with go-karts, the drive-in and the lake.

Fall: foliage on the trails and around both lakes; the city quiets down after summer.

Winter: skating at Merrill Fay Arena and snowy walks at Prescott Farm.

Packing for a family day

Laconia weather can change quickly between the lakes, especially in spring and fall. Pack layers, a rain shell and a spare pair of socks for each child, since trail walks in shoulder season are often wet underfoot. For the ice arena, bring warm gloves and a hat, plus helmets for young skaters if you have them. In summer, add sunscreen, water bottles and bug spray, and plan a shady break in the middle of the day. A small cooler with snacks makes it easier to keep moving between stops without long waits, and a change of clothes in the car is always worth it with younger kids near the water.

Tips for visiting

• Check seasons and schedules. Weirs Beach attractions are seasonal, and indoor schedules shift through the year. Always check official sites before you go.
• Know about Motorcycle Week. Each June, Laconia hosts Laconia Motorcycle Week, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the country. Families who prefer quiet should plan around it, and those who enjoy the spectacle should book early.
• Use Laconia as a base. The city is central to the Lakes Region, so it pairs well with a day in Meredith, Wolfeboro or Gilford.

FAQ

What is there to do with kids in Laconia, NH?

Year-round options include Prescott Farm's trails and programs, skating at Merrill Fay Arena, indoor play at Jump N Joy, and the Belknap Mill. In summer, add the Weirs Beach Go-Kart Track and the Weirs Drive-In.

Is Weirs Beach part of Laconia?

Yes. Weirs Beach is a village within the city of Laconia, on Lake Winnipesaukee.

What can families do in Laconia on a rainy day?

Skate at Merrill Fay Arena, visit Jump N Joy, or tour the Belknap Mill's galleries.

When is Laconia busiest?

Summer weekends and Laconia Motorcycle Week in June draw the biggest crowds.

Sources

• Laconia, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census; villages; Aquadoctan; Endicott Rock): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconia,_New_Hampshire
• Laconia Motorcycle Week, Wikipedia (held over nine days in June): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconia_Motorcycle_Week
• Organization and business websites: prescottfarm.org, merrillfayarena.com, belknapmill.org, wbgokarts.com, weirsdrivein.com; Jump N Joy via Lakes Region Chamber listing