Tilton Town Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore

For many travelers, Tilton is the exit where they stop for gas or a coffee before heading deeper into the Lakes Region. It deserves a longer look. The town has a historic village on the Winnipesaukee River, one of the most unusual monuments in New Hampshire on the hill above it, a shoreline on Lake Winnisquam and a cluster of places to eat, shop and play. This guide covers the things to do in Tilton NH that are worth planning around, along with local businesses from our directory.

Tilton at a glance

Tilton is a town on the Winnipesaukee River in Belknap County. Its population was 3,962 at the 2020 census. The town includes the village of Tilton and parts of the villages of Winnisquam and Lochmere, and it is home to the Tilton School, a private preparatory school.

Geographically, the town is drained by the Winnipesaukee River and bounded on the east by Silver Lake and Lake Winnisquam. Its neighbors are Sanbornton to the north, Belmont to the east, Northfield to the south and Franklin to the west.

Tilton is considered the gateway to the Lakes Region. Interstate 93, U.S. Route 3 and state routes 11, 132 and 140 all meet here, and a large commercial and retail district has grown up around Exit 20 of I-93. The historic village sits a short distance west of that newer development, on the northern bank of the Winnipesaukee River. That split is worth understanding before you visit: the highway exit is where you shop, and the village is where you slow down.

A short history

The area that is now Tilton was originally the southern part of Sanbornton and was known as Sanbornton Bridge or Bridge Village, after a bridge built in 1763 across the Winnipesaukee River. In 1869 Sanbornton Bridge was set off and incorporated as Tilton, named for Nathaniel Tilton, whose great-grandson Charles E. Tilton owned textile mills and was the community's wealthiest citizen.

Charles E. Tilton left a visible mark on the town. He donated many statues to the community, a feature that sets Tilton apart from its neighbors, and his former mansion, Tilton Hall, built in 1861, is now part of the Tilton School and houses its library.

The Memorial Arch

The landmark most people remember is the Memorial Arch of Tilton, sometimes called Tilton's Folly. It stands on Elm Street in neighboring Northfield, on a hill overlooking Tilton across the river.

Charles E. Tilton was inspired to build the arch after visiting Rome in 1881 and seeing the Arch of Titus. He wanted a structure that would, in his words, symbolize the victories of peace rather than those of war. The arch was completed in 1882. It is 55 feet tall and 40 feet wide, built of Concord granite, and sits on a hill about 150 feet above the Winnipesaukee River. At its base is a 50-ton sarcophagus and a red granite lion. Tilton intended to be buried there but was instead buried in Park Cemetery in Tilton.

When it was built, gas lamps lit each corner of the arch, and because Tilton had no electric street lights at the time, the arch was the only illuminated object for miles. The monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and after repairs in 1984 a small park with picnic tables was created around it. It is a good stop for a picnic and a view on a summer day.

Tilton Island Park Bridge

In the village, the Tilton Island Park Bridge is another of Charles Tilton's gifts. Built in 1881, it is a rare surviving footbridge with cast iron trusses of a design patented in 1858, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The bridge leads to a wooded island park in the river. Note that the park was closed in late 2021 because of structural concerns about the bridge, so check the current status with the town before planning a visit. The bridge is still worth seeing from the riverbank.

Lake Winnisquam

Tilton's eastern edge touches Lake Winnisquam, which at 4,214 acres is the fourth-largest lake entirely in New Hampshire. The lake lies along the Winnipesaukee River, which carries water from Lake Winnipesaukee into Winnisquam and then south toward the Merrimack. Winnisquam is shared by Meredith, Laconia, Sanbornton, Belmont and Tilton.

In July, the lake is the reason many visitors come. Boating, paddling and swimming are the classic summer activities. If you are paddling, stay close to shore and watch for boat traffic on busy weekends.

Where to eat and drink

Kettlehead Brewing Company is a brewery and kitchen on West Main Street in Tilton. It advertises award-winning beer and wood-fired pizza, and it also has locations in Meredith and at Stevens Mill in Franklin. Its Tilton location hosts a weekly trivia night, which makes it a lively stop for an evening.

DOX on Winnisquam is a Tilton restaurant on Laconia Road serving modern American food, and its name points to nearby Lake Winnisquam. It is a good choice for a relaxed dinner after a day on the water; check the restaurant's website for its current menu.

Dining tips:

• Summer weekend evenings are busy at any lake-area restaurant. Plan ahead or go early.
• Kettlehead's three locations make it easy to work a brewery stop into a longer drive around the Lakes Region.

Shopping

Tanger Outlets in Tilton is the outlet center in Tilton's retail district, with factory stores from brands such as Columbia, Coach and Brooks Brothers. Brands vary, so check the center's directory before you go. An outlet stop pairs well with a rainy day or a break on the drive north.

For something local, Alan Soule Jewelers has been in business since 1981. It is a full-service jeweler on West Main Street specializing in gold and silver jewelry, engagement and wedding rings, coins, custom pieces and appraisals, with repairs done in-house and a GIA Graduate Gemologist on staff. It is a good stop if you need a repair or are shopping for something meaningful.

Golf

Lochmere Country Club is a public golf course in the Lochmere area of Tilton, open to everyone with public tee times through the season. The course highlights its elevation changes, mountain views and bentgrass conditions. It also has a restaurant and indoor golf simulators, which make it useful in the off-season too.

Planning a day in Tilton

A simple summer day in Tilton might look like this:

1. Morning: Walk the historic village along the Winnipesaukee River and look at the Island Park Bridge from the bank.

2. Late morning: Drive up to the Memorial Arch in Northfield for the view over town.

3. Afternoon: Get on Lake Winnisquam, play a round at Lochmere, or browse the outlets.

4. Evening: Dinner at Kettlehead or DOX on Winnisquam.

Practical tips:

• Tilton's location at the I-93 interchange makes it an easy stop between southern New Hampshire and the Lakes Region or White Mountains.
• Traffic around Exit 20 can be heavy on summer Fridays and Sundays. Time your stop to avoid the peak.
• Confirm hours and seasons directly with each business before you go.

FAQ

Where is Tilton, New Hampshire?

Tilton is in Belknap County on the Winnipesaukee River, at the junction of I-93 and several state routes. It is considered the gateway to the Lakes Region.

What is the Tilton Arch?

The Memorial Arch of Tilton is a 55-foot granite arch built in 1882 by Charles E. Tilton, modeled after the Arch of Titus in Rome. It stands on a hill in Northfield overlooking Tilton.

Is there a lake in Tilton?

Yes. Tilton borders Lake Winnisquam, the fourth-largest lake entirely in New Hampshire, and Silver Lake.

Where can I get a beer in Tilton?

Kettlehead Brewing Company has a brewery and kitchen on West Main Street.

Is there golf in Tilton?

Lochmere Country Club is a public course with tee times available throughout the season.

Sources

• Tilton, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (population, history, geography, Exit 20): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilton,_New_Hampshire
• Memorial Arch of Tilton, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Arch_of_Tilton
• Tilton Island Park Bridge, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilton_Island_Park_Bridge
• Lake Winnisquam, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Winnisquam
• Kettlehead Brewing Company official site: https://kettleheadbrewing.com
• Alan Soule Jewelers official site: https://www.alansoulejewelers.com/
• DOX on Winnisquam official site: https://www.doxonwinnisquam.com/
• Tanger Tilton official site: https://www.tanger.com/tilton
• Lochmere Country Club official site: https://www.lochmeregolf.com