Tuftonboro has lake and mountain views with outdoor recreation
On Lake Winnipesaukee, Tuftonboro, New Hampshire, is a rural community that values outdoor recreation and its natural landscape. The town is primarily the hilly valley below the Ossipee Mountains, but also encompasses 27 islands off its coast. The area is 56 miles from Portland, Maine, and 7 miles from Wolfeboro, another lakeside town with a small shopping district. “Tuftonboro is home to many beautiful lakes and mountains,” says Nicole Shamlian, an associate broker with Maxfield Real Estate. Shamlian has been working in the industry for 25 years. “We have a high quality of life here because it is so beautiful and rather rural. We also have very low tax rates.” Carroll County has some of the lowest property taxes in New Hampshire.
Year-round mountain and lake activities
“A lot of people retire here,” says Shamlian. “The people I’ve sold to here, every last one of them, commented to me that there's so much to do in the winter. Even though this is a summer area, there’s so much to do in the winter months, plus the gorgeous foliage in the fall.” Winter activities such as cross-country skiing and downhill skiing are most common on the slopes of the Ossipee Mountains. Certain trails allow snowmobiles and ATVs. In the summer, hiking in the mountains and fishing in the lake are popular pastimes. A short hike leads to Abenaki Tower, a lookout point built in the 1920s to survey the landscape. Swimming, fishing, boating and sunbathing can be done at 19-Mile Bay, a public beach with a fishing area and a boat launch.
Homes are in nature and along waterways
Homes are built along winding roadways on large lots or near the water with private docks surrounded by mature trees. Some houses are on the islands off Tuftonboro. Boat tours are available throughout the area, but most residents must use private boats to reach the mainland. Many residents rely on wells and septic systems for water and waste disposal. “Theres an assortment of summer-only homes,” says Shamlian. “There’s a huge increase in people in the summer. With COVID, many people purchased homes here because they were working remotely and could work in a much prettier and less congested area.”
Saltbox, National and ranch-style homes are common. They range from $300,000 to $875,000, and large homes range from $1.3 million to $3.5 million.
Shopping and dining in Wolfeboro
Birch & Vine is one of Tuftonboro's only restaurants offering upscale seafood and American dishes. Pier 19 Country Store has grab-and-go dishes, snacks and other convenience items. “People in Tuftonboro, when they say they're going downtown, they're going to Wolfeboro,” says Shamlian. “There are some really good restaurants all around this area.” Pavilion is an upscale restaurant with seafood and modern American dishes. The eatery has a modern-rustic, dimly lit interior on Wolfeboro’s Main Street. There is also a Harvest Market in the area for groceries.
Tuftonboro is in the Governor Wentworth Regional School District
Governor Wentworth Regional School District, which receives a B-minus from Niche, serves the area. Tuftonboro Central receives an A-minus and serves Kindergarten through sixth grade. Kingswood Regional Middle receives a B-minus, and Kingswood Regional High receives a C-plus. High school students may take career prep and technology courses at the Lakes Region Technology Center.
Community events in Tuftonboro
The Tuftonboro Free Library holds year-round events and programs, such as a summer reading program with a concluding ice cream party and storytimes. The library also has several book groups, including a writer’s group. The town also hosts an annual Christmas Tree Lighting next to the Tuftonboro Fire Rescue Department building.
State Routes lead to nearby towns and cities
Using state Route 109, Wolfeboro is 7 miles from Tuftonboro. Portland, Maine, is 59 miles away using state Route 25.
Huggins Hospital is 8 miles away in Wolfeboro and the Portland International Jetport is 59 miles away. Tuftonboro Methodist Church and Mirror Lake Community Church are the two houses of worship in the area.
Mud season in Tuftonboro
Mud season lasts from mid-March to mid-May. During this time, frozen earth thaws, releasing more water into the soil and turning the ground into a thick sludge. Hiking and driving on unpaved roads is not recommended during this time.
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
