Movie road trip: A cinematic site per state for all 50 states

On Golden Pond, movie poster

New Hampshire: On Golden Pond

Family dynamics can be a difficult road to navigate. Relationships between parents and children change and grow over time. The 1981 award winning movie, On Golden Pond, starring Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn, tells the story of an aging couple and their family.

Set on Squam Lake in New Hampshire, the couple returns to the family lake house year after year. A visit from their daughter, her fiancé, and soon to be stepson has the family patriarch lose part of his gruffness. The lake, itself, is the unnamed movie character that draws all the family members together.

Squam Lake is an actual lake in New Hampshire. It is located in central New Hampshire, near the Lakes Region. The lake’s was originally referred to as “goose lake.” The name is fitting, especially with the loon references in the movie On Golden Pond.

For fans of the movie, the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a great place to visit. The area offers trail visits, lake cruises, and a live animal exhibit. A cruise is a perfect way to explore the area and see locations pertinent to On Golden Pond.

The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center Explore Squam Cruise is a 90 minute cruise that provides an overview of the area. During the cruise, guests can see natural history, wildlife and On Golden Pond locales. Depending on the season, guests can see bald eagles, common loons, and other wildlife. Times for this cruise depend on the seasons. For exact times and ticket prices, visit the company website.