Antiquing Adventures in the Lake Region of New Hampshire
- kathyboufford
- Sep 25
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 19
A Weekend of Treasures and Brews
“ANTIQUING”
Let’s start with a little confession: I use the terms “antique” and “antiquing” rather loosely. Technically, an antique is something that’s at least 100 years old. But my definition is broader. I include anything that isn’t mass-produced and is likely aged 50 years or more. This can also encompass vintage items (between 20 and 99 years old) and even modern pieces that have been upcycled. Thankfully, most antique shops I visit embrace this wider definition, offering a delightful mix of wares, including some newer finds.
The inventory in these shops is always evolving. As time marches on, more items become antiques. Buyers are drawn to the unique nature of these pieces, the stories they tell, and the quality that often comes with age. Antiquing is a treasure hunt filled with excitement and anticipation. For some of us, it’s not just shopping; it’s a way to spend a day, and some often plan vacations around it. Plus, reusing and recycling items feels good for the planet!
Where to Find Antiques
Antiques aren’t confined to just shops or shows. You can discover them at estate sales, flea markets, fairs, and even garage sales. Sometimes, you can snag a great deal before these treasures make their way to the antique shops. It’s not quite as raw as going directly to the source like in American Pickers, but it’s the closest most of us will get!
In the Lake Region, there are several antique stores and shops that offer a variety of antiques. Due to time constraints, we couldn’t visit all of them on this trip. One of my favorite spots, Idle A While Country Antiques, located at 1177 Mayhew Tpk, Bridgewater, New Hampshire, was skipped this time as it was part of another adventure: A Day in Bristol, New Hampshire (stay tuned for that post!).
The shops we did visit were as unique as the antiques themselves. Some were cavernous, requiring a bit of navigation to find your way around. Others were so compact that you had to squeeze past fellow treasure hunters. Some proprietors meticulously organized their wares, while others took a more adventurous, find-it-if-you-can approach. I personally love the latter—it adds a thrill to the hunt and often leads to delightful conversations with the shop owners. They’re usually eager to share stories about their finds and their own antique adventures.
The Browsing Experience
I planned a weekend of browsing with my sister. We kicked off each day at a cozy coffee shop for breakfast and ended each day at a brewery. In between, we set off to explore various shops in search of hidden gems. Our Saturday began at 48 Main Cafe & Creperie in Meredith (which is actually located at 94 Main Street, Meredith). This place had me at “creperie.”
The cafe was small but charming, with a white and black motif. The breakfast menu was extensive, but I was fixated on the crepes. I usually lean toward savory, but on this occasion, I chose the sweet route with my All American crepe: apples, walnuts, cinnamon, and brown sugar, all topped with caramel sauce and powdered sugar (I graciously declined the whipped cream). To balance the sweetness, I opted for a black, unsweetened iced coffee. Both were absolutely delightful!
Once we were fully fueled, we set off on our treasure hunt:
Once New Vintage Wares and Salvage, 51 Main Street, Meredith – A compact shop packed with small items. It’s a picker’s paradise!
Bonita D Story Antiques & Estate Jewelry, 5 Main Street, Meredith – A charming boutique for discerning buyers. Here, I found my first treasure: a diamond ring! It was a splurge and a bit of an impulse buy, but I had been contemplating replacing my wedding ring set for a while. It felt like a sign to go for it (or at least that’s what I tell myself).
Note: The above two shops are within walking distance of 48 Main Street Café & Creperie, and that’s exactly what we did. Afterward, we drove to Rockin’ Thru The Ages Antiques and Collectibles.
Rockin’ Thru The Ages Antiques and Collectibles, 36 Endicott Street, West Laconia – A large, well-organized shop with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Despite the many individual vendors, the layout avoids the disjointed feel common in shared spaces. We happily meandered through the aisles, and I found a rustic shelf perfect for a small space.
Red Dragon Antiques, Collectibles and New Gifts Group Shop, 18 Pleasant Street, Laconia – An eclectic mix of old, new, and used items in a cozy space. I picked up some card games here.
Laconia Antiques Center, 601 Main Street, Laconia – The mothership of antique stores! This huge warehouse is filled with aisles upon aisles of treasures. Ironically, I didn’t find anything here, but I had a blast exploring with fellow shoppers.
Note: There is a metered parking area on Pleasant Street near Red Dragon Antiques that serves the nearby retail area. We parked there an walked from Red Dragon Antiques to Laconia Antiques Center, which was nearby, around the corner. Although not on our itinerary, we couldn't resist stopping at Commune à Tea. In the same area (653 Main Street). This is a spacious, happy place with herbal loose-leaf tea concoctions made to order. Bakery items and sandwiches as well. We made way for a warm cup of goodness in the form of herbal tea before heading to Twin Barns Brewing for another kind of aromatic libation. Best to keep hydrated....
Our Sunday began at The Foothills Cafe and Curio, 25 Main Street, Center Sandwich. This cozy spot is filled with delightful décor. The seating is arranged in a communal style, yet there are private spaces away from the bar top. I enjoyed a slice of spinach and goat cheese quiche paired with a cappuccino at a window-side table. My sister, the foodie, opted for the from-scratch coffee cake, which she declared excellent.
From there, we strolled over to our first browsing destination, The Porch, just a few steps from the café.
The Porch, 7 Main Street, Center Sandwich – This isn’t just a porch; it’s a whole Victorian house filled with beautifully staged antiques and housewares. It felt like stepping into a glossy magazine. The owners, Sarah and Mark, were gracious and welcoming. I spotted an antique cupboard with a warm, inviting color that practically begged me to take it home. I couldn’t resist!
The Porch White Mountain Antique Gallery and Estate Services, 1030 NH-16, Ossipee – This multi-room, multi-level space boasts a wide variety of antiques from estate liquidations. The top level features large Victorian and Asian furniture pieces, while the lower level showcases rustic farmhouse items.
Winsor Antiques, 512 Whittier Hwy, Moultonborough – If I were Goldilocks, this would be my “just right” store. It’s not too big or too small, with a well-curated selection of antiques. I once found a hand-sewn birch bark canoe here—an old tourist item—from a previous visit.
White Mountain Antique Gallery and Estate Services
Brew Stops
After a day of antiquing, we needed to unwind with some brews:
Twin Barns Brewing Co, 194 Daniel Webster Hwy, Meredith – We ended our Saturday here, and I thoroughly enjoyed their Sandbar, a golden ale, paired with a cowboy burger. The spacious venue offers plenty of seating at long tables and counters.
Hobbs Brewing Tap Room, 765 Route 16, Ossipee – On Sunday, we concluded our day here. I couldn’t resist the Sugar Moon Bourbon Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale, infused with maple syrup and candy-cap mushrooms. Intriguing, to say the least! They also had grab-and-go snacks, and I opted for some nuts. Food trucks are scheduled from May to October.
Connecting Through Antiquing
This weekend got me thinking about connection. Antiquing is a way to connect with the past and an opportunity to bond with shop owners and fellow treasure hunters in the present. There’s a sense of kinship among those who share a love for the unique and the old. People in antique shops aren’t in a hurry; they’re often eager to share their finds and favorite spots. It’s a refreshing change of pace that encourages genuine conversations.
Antiquing also allowed my sister and me to slow down and enjoy quality time together. The relaxing atmosphere of the coffee shops and breweries provided the perfect backdrop for winding down and connecting. They were the ideal starting and ending points for our New Hampshire Lake Region antique weekend. I can’t wait to plan our next antique adventure in the White Mountains this fall!
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