Hidden lakes in the Northeast beyond the Finger Lakes to visit this summer

New York is known for its impressive bodies of water, but hot spots like Lake Placid and the Finger Lakes can get crowded in the summer months. Venture a little further north to discover some less-celebrated locations -- from a New Hampshire lake on the edge of the state's famed White Mountains to a Vermont lake with historic shipwrecks and a legendary sea serpent or a Maine lake where you are sure to spot a moose.

Lake Winnipesaukee

The largest standing body of water in New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesaukee is a scenic wonderland. Surrounded by small towns offering a respite from modern life, the lake has 178 miles of shoreline (the indigenous name translates to either “smile of the great spirit” or “beautiful water in a high place"). Wolfeboro, on the lake’s eastern shore, is known as America’s oldest summer resort. “There’s a lot of happiness in Wolfeboro,” said  Mary DeVries, who heads the Chamber of Commerce , noting visitors love the easy access to the lakefront where they can walk, bike, enjoy a weekly concert or model yacht races.

 Founded in 1759 by Governor John Wentworth, the village has a walkable downtown with galleries and charming shops like Black’s Paper Store, which has been around since 1860 selling books, toys and art supplies. Bailey’s Bubble is known for unique seasonal ice cream flavors — expect a line. Getting out on the lake is a highlight for many visitors. The MS Mount Washington, a 1,000-passenger excursion ship, runs narrated tours taking visitors to Laconia across the lake. Cruises with the “stay-and-play” option let travelers spend a few hours in Laconia, allowing a visit to the popular Weir’s Beach or the Funspot Arcade, one of the largest in the world. Other attractions include Castle in the Clouds, an arts and crafts estate in nearby Moultonborough, where you can tour the original 16-room mansion or hike 28 miles of trail, and the Wright Museum of World War II, with its exhibit of military vehicles.

WHERE TO STAY

Wolfeboro Inn dates to 1812 when farmer Nathaniel Rogers built what remained a private home for 75 years. With the railroad bringing visitors to the area, guests were welcomed, at first just for refreshments. But over the years, the inn took over, and today there are 44 guest rooms with access to a private beach. Rooms start at around $150 (90 N. Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-3016, wolfeboroinn.com).

Pickering House is another local landmark that started out as a private home. This deluxe bed and breakfast has 10 guest rooms with rates start at $725 (116 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 603-569-6948, pickeringhousewolfeboro.com).

Lake Champlain

Bordering New York, Vermont and Quebec, this 12-mile lake contains the oldest known fossil reef on earth, along with its own legendary monster — a horned serpent known as Champ. “I’ve been out on the lake day and night and never saw it,” says Bob Beach, proprietor of Basin Harbor Resort in Vergennes, Vermont. Beach is far more interested in the history of the lake, which he discusses in weekly talks, regaling his guests with stories of sunken ships (a Benedict Arnold gunboat) that remain in the lake to this day.

The bustling city of Burlington, Vermont, on the lake’s eastern shore, is a good starting point for Lake Champlain, which Beach says is one of the most “underutilized” lakes in the world. Visitors to Vermont’s largest city are drawn to the open-air Church Street Marketplace, with more than 100 shops and a waterfront park with walking and bike trails. Get on the lake with a tour on the Spirit of Ethan Allen, a three-level excursion ship offering a variety of cruises, from narrated scenic tours to lunch, brunch and dinner cruises. For a deep dive into American folk art, visit the 45-acre Shelburne Museum, with 39 buildings housing everything from French Impressionist paintings to duck decoys. Or take a 45-minute drive to the 85-acre Goodsell Ridge Preserve in Isle La Motte to see ancient marine fossils visible on the trail.

WHERE TO STAY

Basin Harbor Resort has four lodges and 74 cottages, offering guests water activities like kayaks and canoes, tennis and pickleball courts and a fitness and yoga center. Along with two restaurants, the resort is known for its North Dock dinners offered Thursdays and Sundays in the summer. Open through Oct. 23. Rooms start at around $200 (4800 Basin Harbor Rd., Vergennes, 800-622-4000, basinharbor.com).

Hotel Vermont combines a big-city feel with waterside charm, as the lake and attractions like the Shelburne Museum are a short walk away. Rooms start at $339 (41 Cherry St., Burlington, 855-650- 0080, hotelvt.com).

Moosehead Lake

This idyllic Maine lake is shaped like a moose, thus its name. More important, it’s one of the best places in the country to actually see a moose. Guides are available to help in your hunt, which ideally should take place at dawn or dusk. Moosehead Lake is the largest freshwater lake in New England at 40 miles long. Rising from the middle of the lake is Mount Kineo, known for its sheer cliffs as high as 800 feet. A boat shuttle from Rockwood gets you to Mount Kineo State Park, where you can get a panoramic view from a steel fire tower, hike one of several trails or watch for peregrine falcons. For a somber look at the nation’s Cold War history, hike a trail on Elephant Mountain to see the remains of an Air Force B-52C that crashed in 1963. A memorial honors the seven who were killed and the two who survived.

Start your trip in Greenville, on the lake’s southern tip. A gateway to the North Woods, the town has pitstops like the Indian Hill Trading Post or Northwoods Outfitters if your camp gear needs updating. A pedestrian boardwalk wanders the lake front, and of course there’s a boat plying the waters. The steamboat Katahdin Cruisesoffers a three-hour narrated tour to Sugar Island, along with a variety of specialty cruises—happy hour, country music, fireworks.

WHERE TO STAY

At Kineo View Lodge, it's all about the views at this lodge—every room has a balcony overlooking the lake. Rooms start at $139 and continental breakfast is included through Columbus Day (50 Overlook Dr., Greenville, 207-695-4470, kineoview.com).

Romance and serenity at Lodge at Moosehead Lake, which doesn’t allow children under 15. Breakfast is included and the lodge offers several packages to help guests explore the region (seaplane rides, moose safaris). Rooms start at $480; (368 Lily Bay Rd., Greenville, 800-825-6977, lodgeatmooseheadlake.com).