Travel Planner: Concord, NH

A favorite with families and outdoors enthusiasts, this 1819 farmhouse became an inn in 1892. It occupies 200 acres on the shores of Contoocook Lake. Accommodations are functional but clean and cheerful; they range from quirky rooms in the main inn to modern hotel-style rooms in the Edgewood building to cabins by the water. There's a nine-hole, par-3 golf course, and of course lots of boating and fishing. Pros:

relaxed, lakefront resort; new owners in 2008 bring focus on food.

older, simple furnishings. www.woodboundinn.com. 44 rooms, 39 with bath; 11 cottages. In-room: no TV (some). In-hotel: restaurant, bar, golf course, tennis court. Credit cards accepted. Rate includes: Breakfast, Some meals.

Rooms in this beautiful home are painted in lively lavenders, yellows, or peaches, a cheery presence in the heart of pristine Jaffrey Center. Although full of period furnishings, they have a hip sensibility as well as high-thread-count bedding, fluffy towels, and fine toiletries. Rocking chairs set out on the front porch overlook the town and the golf course across the street. There's a good restaurant here with an impressive Sunday brunch. Pros:

located in right in town, across from golf, good food.

limited amentities. www.theinnatjaffreycenter.com. 9 rooms, 2 suites. In-room: no TV (some), Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, bar. Credit cards accepted. Rate includes: Breakfast.

What's not to love about this white colossus overlooking the sea on New Castle island? The closest thing New Hampshire has to a Ritz-Carlton, Wentworth by the Sea has luxurious rooms that are lushly carpeted, come with gas fireplaces, and have modern and opulent amenities. There's has a good spa and an attractive indoor heated pool. The coastline and island location are superb. The luxury property was built in 1874 as a summer resort for East Coast socialites, wealthy patrons, and former presidents. It reopened in spring 2003 after literally being rebuilt. All of the bright airy rooms have ocean and harbor views—the huge sunny suites occupy a new building right on the water, facing the marina. Pros:

great spa and restaurants, sense of history, oceanfront perch.

not in downtown Portsmouth. www.wentworth.com. 127 rooms, 34 suites. In-room: Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurants, bar, golf course, pools, tennis courts, gym, spa. Credit cards accepted.

The mother ship of Lake Winnipesaukee's several giddy family-oriented amusement parks, Funspot claims to be the second-largest arcade in the country, but it's much more than just a video-game room. Here you can work your way through a miniature golf course, a golf driving range, an indoor golf simulator, 20 lanes of bowling, cash bingo, and more than 500 video games. Some outdoor attractions are closed in winter months. www.funspotnh.com. Admission: Entry free; fee for each activity. Hours: Mid-June-early Sept., daily 9am-midnight; early Sept.-mid-June, Sun.-Thurs. 10-10, Fri. and Sat. 10am-11pm.