Things to Do

Turn the wedding weekend into a New Hampshire getaway

Laconia & Lake Winnipesaukee

Laconia sits on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and is a fun spot for a classic New England lake day. Guests can wander the Weirs Beach boardwalk, play arcade games, and grab ice cream with views of the water. Out on the lake, there are options for boat cruises, rentals, fishing, swimming, and tubing, plus quieter town beaches for simply relaxing by the shore. Nearby attractions in the Lakes Region include family‑friendly mini‑golf and arcades, lakeside restaurants and bars, and scenic drives that show off the mountains meeting the water.

Mount Major – Scenic Half‑Day Hike near Concord

Mount Major trailhead (near Alton Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee) is about a 50–60 minute drive from Concord in normal traffic. The standard loop is roughly 3–4 miles round‑trip with about 1,100 feet of elevation gain, usually 2–3 hours of hiking time for most people.

Day trip: Dartmouth College & Upper Valley

Drive to Hanover, NH (about 1 hour north) to wander the classic New England campus of Dartmouth College and its green. ​ Pair the visit with nearby attractions like the Montshire Museum of Science, which has hands‑on exhibits and outdoor trails along the river. ​ Stop at Quechee Gorge in Vermont to walk the bridge and enjoy dramatic river and gorge views.

Day trip: Ogunquit, Maine (coastal town)

Head to Ogunquit (about 1.5 hours east) for a classic seaside village with shops, galleries, and restaurants in town and in Perkins Cove. ​ Walk the Marginal Way, a paved cliff walk of roughly 1–1.5 miles that runs between Ogunquit’s shoreline and Perkins Cove with benches and ocean overlooks. Spend time on Ogunquit Beach, a wide sandy beach ideal for swimming, strolling, and sunset watching in July.

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Take a trip down to the Farris's home town Ipswich, MA to explore the famous Crane Castle and Crane Beach. This is Madeleine's favorite place in Ipswich! The mansion was built in 1928 on 165 acres of land and overlooks the ocean with trails running from the mansion down to Crane Beach. Tickets to tour the mansion are available for purchase, or you can choose to spend a day exploring the beach. Fun fact: In high school, Madeleine's senior prom was held at the Crane Castle as well as multiple of her band and orchestra performances!