$920,996Average Value$445Average Price per Sq Ft10Homes For Sale
A pristine harbor town that was Whittier’s muse
A small town of about 1,000 people in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, Center Harbor is the kind of sought-after community that acts as a peaceful getaway for visitors and a lifelong dream for residents. “I always said that I would retire to a little public library overlooking the water, and that’s exactly what I did,” says Linda Verge, Director of James E. Nichols Memorial Library. “When I walk out the library door at 5 o’clock, I can hear the church bells pealing from Center Harbor Congregational Church a couple of doors down. The town is very special and pristine, like a step back in time.” A quiet, slow-paced atmosphere coupled with serene views of Lake Winnipesaukee and White Mountain are why John Greenleaf Whittier felt compelled to write a poem about Center Harbor. Whitter’s poetic sentiment can be seen on a boulder outside of the Center Harbor Gazebo in the downtown area, where the library, supermarket and a few local restaurants are located. Fittingly, Whittier Highway is the two-lane road through the town’s center, and U.S. Route 3 weaves around the more rural sections of the community and connects residents to the city of Laconia about 15 miles south.
Whether your in the mountains or on the lake, Center Harbor offers the best one could ask for.
Be sure to read this famous boulder poem before traveling back home in Center Harbor.
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Life on Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake shores
Center Harbor attracts lifelong residents and seasonal visitors alike, thanks to the abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities surrounding this small town. “We're one of the Lakes Region towns that swells in the summertime with visitors,” Verge says. The eastern border kisses the shores of the glacial Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest and deepest lake in the state. While known for its salmon and trout fishing, people enjoy their summers swimming and boating on this lake. Center Harbor residents have private access to their own beach, but the public and popular Weirs Beach is about 10 miles south on U.S. Route 3. The north side of town opens to several scenic bays and coves that lead to the spring-fed Squam Lake, the state’s second-largest lake. Just north of Squam Lake, White Mountain National Forest provides 1,200 miles of hiking trails, 400 miles of snowmobile trails and 23 campgrounds. In addition to offering something for every season, this mountain has one of the highest peaks in the New England area, making it a go-to stop for travelers. More sought-after hiking destinations nearby include Belknap Mountain and Mount Major, located about 20 miles south of Center Harbor.
Leave the motors at home and enjoy a morning kayak in Center Harbor on Lake Winnepesaukee.
You can enjoy a swim in Squam Lake even on a cloudy day in Center Harbor.
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Secluded mountain chalets and lakefront contemporary cabins
Homes in Center Harbor reflect the lifestyle of the town, from mountain chalets with picturesque vistas to waterfront properties with private docks. Architectural styles include Farmhouse-inspired, colonial influences and contemporary builds, some houses tucked in the woods with long driveways on multiple acres and others providing direct or walking access to one of the surrounding lakes. Typically ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet in size, homes in Center Harbor are priced anywhere between $825,000 and $3 million.
Center Harbor has a decent amount of larger homes that offer a bit more privacy.
Many residents of Center Harbor live by the lake and love the lifestyle it offers.
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Beloved local dining options along Whittier Highway
Many of Center Harbor’s shops and diners can be found along Whittier Highway, or New Hampshire Route 25, which runs along the town’s center. On the north end of this downtown area, Lemongrass Restaurant & Sake Bar serves Thai cuisine. A half mile down the two-lane highway, Center Harbor Diner is the local spot for classic American breakfast food. A few blocks from there, Gusto Italian Cafe is a counter-serve Italian bakery and deli with a produce market that sells wine. Another half mile down Whittier, Canoe Restaurant & Tavern offers upscale tavern food and beers on tap in a rustic boathouse atmosphere. For convenient grocery runs in Center Harbor, there’s E.M. Heath Supermarket.
Gusto Cafe is a favorite among many living in Center Habor.
Be sure to finish your coffee before finishing your breakfast at the Center Harbor Diner.
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Center Harbor’s quiet coves and tree-canopied trails
Where the town center reaches the water, Center Harbor Town Beach is a resident-only sandy beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. Across town on the west side, Chamberlain-Reynolds Beach Cove offers hiking trails and calm kayaking coves on Squam Lake. Also on the west side, Fogg Hill Conservation Area provides quiet and woodsy trails around Bear Pond. Close by, Waukewan Golf Club has an 18-hole golf course that’s open to the public. To the north, Proctor Preserve features an almost 2-mile loop that follows a brook, and nearby, Red Hill Summit is a trail that leads to an old fire tower. Back in town on Main Street, the historic Nichols Memorial Library has been operating in the same building since 1910. “Right outside the library, there’s a band that plays every Friday night during the summer months,” Verge says. Highly anticipated in the community, the annual Fourth of July Celebration also happens across the street from the library. The festivities begin with the Annual Footrace on Main Street, followed by a parade and a concert in the gazebo, ending with a fireworks display over the bay.
Journey through the woods to one of many beautiful coves along Squam Lake in Center Harbor.
Dive in and cool off as you swim in Lake Winnepausakee at the Center Harbor Town Beach.
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Less than 1,000 students in the Inter-Lakes School District
The Inter-Lakes School District serves students living in the Center Harbor, Meredith, and Sandwich communities. Inter-Lakes Elementary is a kindergarten through sixth-grade school with a B-minus grade from Niche. Inter-Lakes Middle School, also graded a B-minus, is in the same building as Inter-Lakes High School, which Niche grades a C-plus. The high school boasts a well-accomplished robotics team called the Lakerbots, and the Varsity girls volleyball team won the state championship for the 2023 season.
Inter-Lakes Elementary School has an overall grade of B- on Niche.
The Inter-Lakes Middle High School mascot are the Lakers.
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Cruising in and out on U.S. Route 3
Along with Whittier Highway weaving around the eastside shoreline, U.S. Route 3 is the major thoroughfare that cuts through the center of town and leads Center Harbor residents to the city of Laconia less than 15 miles south. This highway offers one Concord Coach Line bus stop, and it connects to Interstate 93 about 10 miles to the west.
Experience the best of both worlds with the mountains and lakes in Center Harbor.
Your new home in Center Harbor could literally be steps from the lake.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Center Harbor
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Center Harbor Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Center Harbor, Holderness sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Center Harbor, Holderness over the last 12 months is $787,500, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
CENTER HARBOR, NH -- Set in the heart of Center Harbor and a gentle walk to Squam Lake, this beautifully crafted custom ranch offers the perfect balance of refined comfort and outdoor lifestyle. Designed with quality and ease of living in mind, the home is tastefully designed with a functional floor plan and attention to detail throughout. Featuring a thoughtfully appointed kitchen with Quartz
Rebecca WhitcherMaxfield Real Estate/Center Harbor
A rare opportunity to own a beautifully renovated timber frame waterfront home on Lake Winnipesaukee, offering 152 feet of shoreline and a level lot—all just a short distance to downtown Center Harbor. Blending timeless craftsmanship with modern comfort, this exceptional property delivers both character and convenience in one of the Lakes Region’s most desirable settings. Thoughtfully designed
Lake Region charm meets country living on 3.8 beautiful acres in Center Harbor. The historic Frost/Reynolds House is a classic New England Cape offering just under 3,000 sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms, including a first-floor primary suite, 3 baths, and an impressive 5-car garage. Thoughtfully updated for today’s living while preserving the charm of yesterday, the home features wide pine wood floors,
WALK to the sugar sand beach on Lake Winnipesaukee where you can enjoy swimming, a boat launch, public docks, basketball courts, and a playground. Welcome to this beautifully maintained, truly turn key home in the heart of the Lakes Region. Filled with warmth, charm, and natural sunlight, this inviting property offers the perfect blend of comfort, character, and an unbeatable location. Inside you
Rachel XavierKW Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty/Meredith
Set in a superb country setting in quaint Center Harbor, this 3-bedroom antique Cape is gracefully sited on 18 private acres overlooking two tranquil ponds. A true sense of peace and connection to nature is felt both from within the home and throughout the property. Lovingly maintained and thoughtfully updated over 39 years of ownership, the home blends historic charm with modern comfort.
CENTER HARBOR: Nestled on over 5 acres in a peaceful country setting, this spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bath home offers the perfect blend of comfort, privacy, and convenience. The open concept floor plan features warm hardwood floors and plenty of natural light, creating an inviting space ideal for both everyday living and entertaining. One of the highlights of the home is the beautiful sunroom with a
CENTER HARBOR: Set on 5.32 acres, this beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 4-bath contemporary home offers a rare combination of privacy, space, and convenience—perfectly balancing tranquil rural living with easy access to town amenities. From the moment you arrive, you’ll appreciate the care and pride of ownership throughout. Inside, the main level welcomes you with gleaming hardwood floors and a
Discover the charm of lakeside living on beautiful Lake Winona. This 2-bedroom, 1-bath cottage sits of a 0.56+/- acre lot and has 90'+/- owned waterfront, offering direct access to one of the Lakes Region’s most peaceful 148-acre freshwater lakes. Enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing right from your own shoreline. Lake Winona is an incredibly peaceful and quiet
Kristin WhiteColdwell Banker Realty Center Harbor NH
Perched on over 4 private acres, this beautifully updated 3-bedroom Adirondack-style ranch offers sweeping, unobstructed views of Center Harbor Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains. Thoughtfully designed for both comfort and style, the home features granite countertops, rich cherry cabinetry, and a spacious addition completed in 2005—perfect for gathering and taking in the scenery
CENTER HARBOR: If you’ve been dreaming of a place where character, land, and lifestyle come together, this converted post-and-beam barn delivers. Set on 3.11 acres of open farmland, pasture, and rich garden soil, this property invites you to slow down and enjoy the simple beauty of country living—complete with your own fruit trees (apple, pear, plum, and cherry) right outside your door. Inside,
WEEKLY VACATION RENTAL "All Spruced Up" is named because its interior walls and ceilings are all spruce, hemlock and fir. Beautiful sunsets and privacy come along with this 3 bedroom cabin on the shore of Squam Lake. Cozy & comfy. There is a dock slip for your boat, a playfield for the kids and beach area. There are four kayaks on the rack to use along with life jackets. NH R&M license #061384
1 BR. Unfurnished $1,100 monthly.Garage under w/washer & dryer First and last month due at lease signing a long w/ $500security deposit. NO pets& NO smoking. Rural setting in West Center Harbor NH. Perfect for one . Work and former housing references are required. Oll heat and electric are not included. Available now!
FISHERMEN TAKE NOTE! Come and explore or fish Squam lake! Easy boat access for launching your boat just 3/10 of a mile down the road. Beach & picnic area to relax or walk down and listen to the loons. 3 bedroom and 2 bath home in Center Harbor. Open floor plan with first floor master bedroom and bath with laundry. Large screen porch and side deck for entertaining. Great yard for play in a
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