Incorporated: 1781
Population: 2,700
County Name: Sullivan
(county map)
Town Contact:
Town of Sunapee
PO Box 717
Sunapee, NH 03782

Phone: 603-763-2212
Fax: 603-763-4925
Website: Town of Sunapee

Origin:
Like many other towns, this one went through four name changes before its incorporation: Savile, Corey's Town, and then Wendell, for one of the Masonian proprietors, John Wendell. The name Sunapee was substituted for Wendell by the Legislature in 1850. The town, Lake Sunapee, and Mount Sunapee share the name which comes from the Algonquin Indian words "suna," meaning goose, and "apee," meaning lake. The Indians called the area Goose Lake because it was a favorite spot of wild geese. Sunapee includes the village of George's Mills.

More about Sunapee:
The town of Sunapee has long been a popular tourist destination. Incorporated in 1781 as Wendell, the town's name was changed to Sunapee (the Algonquin Indian word for "wild goose water") in 1850. The major attraction was the pristine lake, which was once surrounded by a number of grand hotels. Lake Sunapee is the only lake in New Hampshire with three working lighthouses, built in the 1890's and maintained today by the Lake Sunapee Protective Association.

Recreation is key to the region. The Mount Sunapee State Park on the western side of the lake draws swimmers and sunbathers during summer months. Mount Sunapee is popular with skiers during the winter and hikers in the summer. Snowmobile trails wind through town. Fishermen have long fished the deep water for salmon, bass and trout. On a lazy Sunday morning you might see a windsurfer gliding across the lake or sailboats racing. You can take a ride yourself on the M.V. Mount Sunapee for a tour of the beautiful lake or enjoy a dinner cruise on the M.V. Kearsarge. Grab an ice cream cone and sit on the grass near the gazebo that overlooks the harbor.

The Inns, which are scattered about the region, are charming and historically vital to the community. A drive down Route 11 offers a beautiful view of Otter Pond and a sneak peek of Lake Sunapee's George's Mills area. A short drive up Prospect Hill Road will bring you to Prospect Hill Antiques, a must for anyone who appreciates the beauty of antique furniture. If not, just enjoy the art of placement. The shop combines the new with the old in a huge old dairy barn.

Restaurants are a bit scarce, but the Anchorage sits lakeside and the harbor has an ice cream stand that brings out the locals and summer residents on warm summer nights. Around the corner on Route 11 is a pizza place. The shops along the water are quaint, offering t-shirts, penny candy, toys and jewelry. A stroll through the historical society offers an interesting glimpse into the past.

So, dust off that old canoe, grab your fishing poles or put on your hiking shoes and make your way to this beautiful town. The blue skies and puffy clouds are a perfect backdrop wherever you are in Sunapee. But even on a cloudy day, you can still see why people are drawn to this magical place.