5 Best Things to Do in Gilford, New Hampshire

By VacationIdea Staff on June 15, 2022 - Updated

Patrick's Pub & Eatery in Gilford NH

Offering year-round outdoor recreational facilities at the Gunstock Mountain Resort, Gilford is a popular vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In summer you can enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, biking and more while winter offers the full gamut of exciting snow sports. Ellacoya State Park also offers a range of outdoor recreational facilities including boating, canoeing and kayaking. In addition, Gilford regularly attracts Big-Name performers to the brilliant Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, one of the best big concert venues in the U.S. When you are not out exploring Gunstock Mountain you can take a tour of the Pepi Herrmann Crystal Gallery and Museum. After a busy day on the slopes or the trails you can stop by Patrick’s Pub and Eatery for some genuine Irish hospitality.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, Gilford, NH

Formerly known as Meadowbrook, the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion is a stunning indoor/outdoor amphitheatre, scenically located right on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. The pavilion started off as a much smaller summer music venue with a temporary stage and seating for around 3,000 visitors. Today the pavilion can seat 9,000 avid concert-goers and is the prime concert venue in New England, as well as being named as one of the best concert venues in the U.S. If you happen to live close by you can buy season tickets to all the shows and there is an on-site campground available for every show.

Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, NH 03249, Phone: 603-293-4700

2.Gunstock Mountain Resort, Gilford, New Hampshire

Located on Gunstock Mountain, the Gunstock Mountain Resort was built by the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. It originally opened to the public in 1937 and was the first U.S. ski resort to own a chairlift. Today visitors flock to the resort to enjoy a wide range of activities in summer and winter. Primarily a ski resort, Gunstock Mountain boasts an excellent selection of exciting snow sports including tubing, a thrilling Mountain Coaster, Cross Country, ski lessons and three terrain parks. In summer you can visit to enjoy great hiking trails, camping, biking, fishing and scenic lift rides.

Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, NH 03249, Phone: 603-293-4341

3.Pepi Herrmann Crystal Gallery and Museum, Gilford, NH

Having learnt the craft of crystal cutting in his native Austria, Pepi Herrmann came to American determined to revive this art form in the U.S. Since 1974 this master craftsman has been producing superb examples of carved crystal from his workshop and gallery located in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The range of beautiful cut crystal objects‘d art in his gallery and museum include jewelry, Christmas ornaments, barware, home décor pieces, ornaments and stemware. In addition to many smaller and less expensive pieces which would be perfect for gifts, the collection also contains several once-off limited edition works of art.

Pepi Herrmann Crystal Gallery and Museum, 3 Waterford Place, Gilford, NH 03249, Phone: 603-528-1020

4.Things to Do in Gilford, NH: Patrick’s Pub and Eatery

Since 1987 Patrick’s Pub and Eatery has been a popular meeting place for Gilford locals and their visitors. The pub is named for the original owner’s Irish father who hailed from County Cork in Ireland. Today the pub/restaurant is owned and operated by the Beetle family who have made a few changes but still maintain the original ethos of the pub, namely Irish Roots – American Spirit. The menu features a good selection of predominantly American dishes, with a few Irish classic like Guinness Braised Short Rib, Shepherd’s Pie and fried Fish and Chips. The pub is open daily and hosts regular live entertainment.

Patrick’s Pub and Eatery, 18 Weirs Rd, Gilford, NH 03249, Phone: 603-293-0841

5.Things to Do in Gilford, New Hampshire: Ellacoya Bar and Grill

Located in a historic old barn which dates back to 1843, the Ellacoya Bar and Grill extends a warm welcome to guests. The barn provides the ideal rustic yet welcoming ambiance and the food is an electric mix of fresh and delicious flavors and textures. The extensive menu features a good selection of appetizers followed by soups and salads. The entrée list is also extensive, featuring steaks, lamb shanks, ribs, chicken dishes and several seafood options like Panko Crusted Haddock, Seared Ahi Tuna, Grilled Salmon and Seafood Saffron, a selection of fresh seafood tossed in a saffron cream sauce. A lighter lunch menu features sandwiches, burgers, pizza and wraps.

Ellacoya Bar and Grill, 2667 Lakeshore Rd, Gilford, NH 03219, Phone: 603-293-8700