Hollywood Comes to the Lakes Region
The stunning natural beauty of New Hampshire's Lakes Region has attracted filmmakers for decades. While Lake Winnipesaukee itself has appeared in various productions, the most famous "Lake Winnipesaukee movie" was actually filmed on neighboring Squam Lake. Here's the complete guide to movies connected to the area.
On Golden Pond (1981)
The iconic film that put New Hampshire lakes on the Hollywood map.
On Golden Pond starred Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda in a touching story about an elderly couple spending their summer at their lakeside cottage. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Henry Fonda (his only Oscar) and Best Actress for Katharine Hepburn.
Important clarification: Despite common misconception, On Golden Pond was filmed on Squam Lake, not Lake Winnipesaukee. Squam Lake is about 20 miles northwest of Winnipesaukee and is sometimes called "Golden Pond" by locals and tourists. However, both lakes are part of the same Lakes Region, and the film perfectly captures the atmosphere of the entire area—including communities like Wolfeboro.
Can you visit the filming locations?
- Squam Lakes Natural Science Center offers boat tours that visit On Golden Pond filming locations, including views of the Thayer cottage
- The original cottage ("Camp Doolittle") is privately owned but visible from the water
- The church scenes were filmed at Trinity Episcopal Church in Holderness
- Squam Lake is about 30 minutes from Wolfeboro—an easy day trip
What About Bob? (1991)
The beloved Bill Murray comedy set in the Lakes Region.
What About Bob? features Bill Murray as an obsessive patient who follows his psychiatrist (Richard Dreyfuss) on vacation to a lakeside New Hampshire town. The film's setting is meant to evoke the Lake Winnipesaukee area, though filming actually took place primarily in Monmouth, Maine.
The movie captures the quintessential New England lake vacation atmosphere—charming small towns, beautiful water, and the summer resort culture that Wolfeboro embodies as "America's Oldest Summer Resort." Many visitors say the fictional town in the film reminds them of Wolfeboro.
Other Productions
The Lakes Region has been featured in several other productions over the years:
- Grown Ups (2010) — The Adam Sandler comedy was set in the Lakes Region, though filming took place primarily in Massachusetts
- Documentary films — Various documentaries have showcased Lake Winnipesaukee's history, ecology, and the M/S Mount Washington cruise ship
- Television appearances — The lake and surrounding towns have appeared in travel shows, HGTV programs, and news features
- Independent films — Local filmmakers have used the region's scenery for independent productions
Why Hollywood Loves the Lakes Region
The New Hampshire Lakes Region offers filmmakers several appealing qualities:
- Quintessential New England scenery — Picture-perfect lakes, mountains, forests, and charming villages
- Four distinct seasons — From summer lake scenes to fall foliage to winter wonderlands
- Authentic small-town America — Real communities with genuine character, not manufactured movie sets
- Proximity to Boston — Easy access for film crews while feeling worlds away from urban life
- Protected landscapes — Much of the region looks the same as it did decades ago
Experience the Movie Magic
While you may not spot any film crews during your visit, you can experience the same landscapes and atmosphere that have inspired filmmakers:
- Take a lake cruise — The M/S Mount Washington offers scenic cruises that showcase the lake's beauty
- Visit Squam Lake — Take an On Golden Pond tour to see actual filming locations (30 min from Wolfeboro)
- Explore downtown Wolfeboro — The Town Docks and Main Street capture that quintessential lakeside town feeling
- Stay at a lakeside inn — The Wolfeboro Inn and other properties offer the classic New England lake vacation experience
- Rent a boat — Experience the lake the way the characters in these films do
Celebrity Connections
Beyond the silver screen, Lake Winnipesaukee has attracted numerous celebrities as residents and visitors:
Jimmy Fallon maintains a home on the lake and is frequently spotted in the area. The Tonight Show host is known for supporting local businesses and has been seen at restaurants, ice cream shops, and community events throughout the region.
The lake's reputation as a getaway for Boston's elite dates back over a century, and it continues to attract visitors seeking the same peaceful escape that's made it famous on film.
