Fall in New Hampshire is really one thing particular. The air turns crisp, the timber burst into sensible reds and golds, and small cities come alive with harvest festivals and comfortable appeal. Whether or not you are chasing peak foliage, searching for scenic drives, or simply wish to sip cider with a view, New Hampshire is without doubt one of the greatest locations on this planet to expertise autumn.
From the gorgeous white mountains, the scenic drive alongside the Kancamagus, or visiting the charming cities of Sandwich or Conway, you may discover a lot to see and do.
Cozy sweaters, pumpkin-spiced every thing, and naturally attractive fall foliage!
New England as an entire is understood for its gorgeous fall foliage. As a matter of truth, till I took my very own fall highway journey via New England, I really thought that these brilliant fall colours have been all pretend! However let me let you know – they’re fully actual! No colour enhancement or photoshop wanted.
However New Hampshire specifically has its personal set of fall perks. Whereas leaf peeping is certainly the spotlight of fall in New Hampshire, that’s actually not the one factor to do there! It’s also possible to take time to attend fall festivals, carve pumpkins, go apple choosing, and a lot extra.
If you wish to expertise every thing fall-related that New Hampshire has to supply, I’ve bought you coated. With out additional ado, right here’s my information to the most effective locations for fall in New Hampshire.
When Is the Greatest Time to See the Leaves in New Hampshire?
Yearly, the autumn leaf-changing season adjustments barely. Sometimes, it takes place sooner or later between the center of September and the center of October. That stated, to ensure you see the fiery leaves throughout any given yr, I extremely advocate utilizing a fall foliage prediction map.
What Is the Greatest Time to Go to New Hampshire within the Fall?
If the leaves come between the center of September and the center of October, so do you have to! In spite of everything, that’s the most effective components of fall in New Hampshire. This time-frame additionally occurs to coincide with lots of the state’s greatest fall festivals.
What Is the Greatest Airport to Fly Into in New Hampshire?
Since the entire states in New England are small, you really don’t should fly instantly into New Hampshire. As a matter of truth, for those who’re coming from one other a part of the nation, it may be simpler to fly to a bigger airport, like Boston Logan Worldwide Airport or Albany Worldwide Airport.
In case you’d desire to fly into New Hampshire instantly, you’ll be able to try the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.
Learn extra: The best way to Plan the Excellent New England Fall Highway Journey
What Ought to I Pack for Fall in New Hampshire?
Layers are your greatest pal relating to fall climate. Throughout that point of yr, the climate usually adjustments rather a lot over the course of a day. So when it will get somewhat too chilly, add one other layer. If it will get too sizzling, take one off.
Another requirements embody a heat coat, gloves, and even sunscreen! Additionally, for those who plan on tackling a few of the hikes I like to recommend later on this article, you’ll desire a pair of climbing boots. These are my favourite climbing boots, and right here’s my full information on what to pack for climbing.
Greatest Locations for Fall in New Hampshire
White Mountain Nationwide Forest
White Mountain Nationwide Forest covers an enormous chunk of New Hampshire (and even somewhat little bit of Maine!). This forest is so massive that it really features a few different spots on this record – however that doesn’t imply it doesn’t deserve a characteristic of its personal!
This 800,000-acre forest is totally huge. It’s stuffed with thriving oaks, maples, and pines – which all totally embrace the fiery colours of fall. The surroundings is so attractive that it really introduced tears to my eyes!
One of the crucial fashionable methods to expertise autumn in White Mountain Nationwide Forest is by driving on Kancamagus Freeway. This 34.5-mile highway is stuffed with completely breathtaking fall foliage. Be happy to drag over and get a more in-depth look!
In case you’d prefer to fully immerse your self within the reds, oranges, and yellows of fall, I like to recommend occurring one of many many hikes in White Mountain Nationwide Forest. Mount Tecumseh, Mount Moosilauke, and West Rattlesnake Mountain are all improbable choices.
Conway
When trying out the most effective locations for fall in New Hampshire, you don’t wish to miss out on Conway. This little city is dwelling to the Conway Scenic Railway, which is an old school railroad expertise that takes you previous a few of the brightest fall colours and the cutest small cities.
The Conway Scenic Railway affords three totally different railroad tour choices. We opted for the Bartlett-Sawyer Tour, which allowed us to pop into cute retailers, dine at improbable native eating places, and naturally perform a little leaf peeping.
As you’ll be able to think about, that is fairly a well-liked attraction in New Hampshire. To ensure your spot, it’s a good suggestion to ebook tickets prematurely.
Sandwich
Not removed from Conway is the cute little city of Sandwich. Along with a enjoyable title, Sandwich boasts a improbable location. Located within the stunning White Mountains and on the gorgeous Squam Lake, it’s completely picture-perfect. And when this pure panorama is decked out within the rusty reds, golden yellows, and brilliant oranges of fall, it turns into much more unbelievable.
In case you time it proper, you may have the ability to participate within the Sandwich Honest. This annual pageant holds fairly an array of competitions and demonstrations. Whereas there are some fall-inspired actions, like pumpkin carving, there are additionally many extra distinctive ones. Take a look at the skillet tossing, ox pulling, and the pick-up truck pulling competitions.
Albany Lined Bridge
The Albany Lined Bridge is not only stunning. It additionally has fairly a little bit of historic significance.
All of New England, not simply New Hampshire, is stuffed with coated bridges. These bridges served as a means for extra remoted farmers to enter city on their stagecoaches. As soon as there, these farmers would each purchase the products that they wanted and promote the merchandise that they’d. With out these coated bridges, life can be a lot tougher for these necessary farmers!
In fact, with the development of transportation know-how, coated bridges should not as a lot of a necessity anymore. That stated, they’re nonetheless pretty to take a look at, particularly once they’re surrounded by the gorgeous colours of fall! And the Albany Lined Bridge is especially gorgeous. You gained’t wish to miss out on it!
Walpole
Walpole is one other spot that’s positively the most effective locations for fall in New Hampshire. With improbable leaf peeping, cute cafes, and cute farms, what extra might you ask for?
First, let’s discuss concerning the colourful autumn leaves. Like most of New Hampshire, you’ll be able to merely stroll round Walpole and see a great deal of gorgeous fall leaves.
As a matter of truth, you’ll be able to stroll all the best way to one of many city’s cute cafes for a fall drink! In spite of everything, is fall actually full and not using a fall deal with? Attempt the recent chocolate from L.A. Burdick Handmade Candies, the recent maple drink from Moon Canine Café, or the maple latte from Rockingham Roasters. (Simply as a word, these final two technically are throughout the border in Vermont, however they’re lower than a 10-minute drive from Walpole, New Hampshire.)
Final however actually not least, there are the superb farms. Walpole is understood all through New Hampshire for its many fabulous farms, together with Walpole Valley Farms, Boggy Meadow Farm, and Walpole Mountain View Vineyard. However probably the most fashionable ones to go to within the fall is Alyson’s Orchard for some prime apple choosing.
In case you want greater than only a fast day journey to Walpole, you’ll be able to spend the night time! The most effective locations to remain is The Inn at Valley Farms. In spite of everything, when you see how unbelievable the farms in Walpole are, you gained’t wish to go away!
Learn extra: Greatest Locations for Fall in Vermont
Jackson
When you cross via the beautiful Honeymoon Lined Bridge, you’ll identified you’re in Jackson. It’s really extra of a well-liked trip vacation spot in the summertime and winter, however it’s simply as unbelievable within the fall.
Given Jackson’s location within the gorgeous White Mountains, climbing is certainly one of the simplest ways to see the entire fall colours. A couple of of the most effective hikes on the town embody the Jackson Scenic Loop, Double Head Path, and Winniweta Falls Path.
However climbing isn’t the one kind of fall enjoyable in Jackson! As a matter of truth, this small city has its personal autumn custom: The Return of the Pumpkin Folks. Dozens of pumpkin-headed characters are unfold all through the city. The most effective methods to recollect this distinctive custom is by taking footage with the quirky characters.
Franconia Notch State Park
Thus far on this record of the most effective locations for fall in New Hampshire, I’ve listed quite a lot of small cities. And whereas these little cities are some folks’s dream fall holidays, others desire extra nature-focused journeys. If the latter sounds such as you, I extremely advocate visiting Franconia Notch State Park.
Franconia Notch State Park is named probably the most picturesque components of New Hampshire – and it solely will get higher within the fall. With towering mountain peaks, glimmering lakes, and fiery leaves, it appears to be like prefer it was plucked straight out of a fairytale!
This stunning state park affords just a few alternative ways to see the superb pure panorama. The best means is to easily drive on Interstate 93, which is the mountain cross that winds via the park. In case you’d desire to be somewhat extra lively, there are lots of hikes which can be well worth the effort, together with Artist’s Bluff Path, the Flume Gorge Path, and Lonesome Lake Path.
However for those who’d prefer to catch a unique view of the autumn leaves, you’ll be able to take to the sky! Hop aboard the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and see the attractive colours of autumn from above.
Laconia
There’s one most important cause that the little city of Laconia made it onto this record: the New Hampshire Pumpkin Pageant. This improbable pageant – previously often called the Laconia Pumpkin Pageant and the Keene Pumpkin Pageant – boasts a great deal of pumpkin-centric actions. However it’s most well-known for its THOUSANDS of pumpkins.
The New Hampshire Pumpkin Pageant beforehand snagged the world file for the very best variety of lit jack-o-lanterns in a single place! Whereas it has misplaced the title a few occasions to worthy opponents, this dedicated pageant all the time appears to reclaim it. As of 2021, Nobody has managed to beat the New Hampshire Pumpkin Pageant’s 2013 file of a whopping 30,581 lit jack-o-lanterns.
In case you occur to be from a close-by space, you’ll be able to assist contribute to this world record-breaking quantity by bringing a pumpkin of your individual. If not, you’ll be able to take part within the pageant’s many different actions.
Whereas at this superior pageant, you’ll be able to carve a pumpkin, devour a scrumptious pumpkin pancake breakfast, and stroll via the pumpkin beer gardens. As for non-pumpkin associated actions, you’ll be able to take part in a 5k, take a journey on a zipline, and play just a few enjoyable video games. And also you positively can’t overlook to take an image with the huge, 34-foot wall of jack-o-lanterns!
3-Day Fall Itinerary for New Hampshire
Day 1: The Kancamagus Freeway and North Conway
Begin in Lincoln and finish the night time in North Conway
Kick issues off with probably the most iconic foliage drives in New England: the Kancamagus Freeway. This 34.5-mile route cuts via the White Mountain Nationwide Forest and is filled with scenic overlooks, brief hikes, and photograph ops round each bend.
Morning:
- Seize breakfast at White Mountain Bagel Co. in Lincoln
- Begin the Kancamagus Freeway drive (Route 112)
- Cease at Hancock Overlook, Sabbaday Falls (a brief and simple waterfall hike), and Rocky Gorge
Afternoon:
- Arrive in North Conway
- Have lunch at Frontside Espresso Roasters or Delaney’s Gap within the Wall
- Discover the Conway Scenic Railroad depot and the charming city middle
- Elective: Take a journey on the Conway Scenic Railroad for classic views via the foliage
Night:
- Browse Zeb’s Normal Retailer for fall goodies
- Dinner at Moat Mountain Smokehouse
- In a single day at an area inn or B&B (Japanese Slope Inn, Journey Suites, or Buttonwood Inn are nice picks)
Day 2: Franconia Notch and Sugar Hill
Begin in North Conway and finish in Sugar Hill or Franconia
Right this moment is all about absorbing large mountain views and comfortable small-town appeal. You’ll discover Franconia Notch State Park after which wind down in considered one of New Hampshire’s most picturesque cities.
Morning:
- Drive west towards Franconia Notch (about 1.5 hours)
- Cease at Echo Lake for mirrored fall reflections
- Experience the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway or hike Artist’s Bluff for panoramic views
Afternoon:
- Head to Sugar Hill, a peaceable city with views of the White Mountains
- Have lunch at Polly’s Pancake Parlor—sure, it’s well worth the wait
- Discover the backroads round Sugar Hill for foliage, farms, and coated bridges
Night:
- Watch sundown from Sundown Hill Highway
- Dinner at The Horse and Hound Inn or the restaurant at The Inn at Sundown Hill
- Keep in a single day at Sugar Hill Inn or one other native B&B with mountain views
Day 3: Lined Bridges and Lake Winnipesaukee
Begin in Sugar Hill or Franconia and finish close to Lake Winnipesaukee or the Lakes Area
Spherical out your journey with charming coated bridges, a basic lake city, and perhaps even a fall foliage cruise.
Morning:
- Drive south via Bathtub and Haverhill
- Go to The Bathtub Lined Bridge and Swiftwater Bridge
- Cease at Harman’s Cheese & Nation Retailer to replenish on picnic provides
Afternoon:
- Head to Lake Winnipesaukee (about 1.5 to 2 hours)
- Discover the city of Meredith
- Get pleasure from lunch at Lago or City Docks on the water
- Elective: Take a fall foliage boat cruise with Mount Washington Cruises
Night:
- Cease by Moulton Farm for cider donuts and pumpkins
- Go to Canterbury Shaker Village when you have time
- Finish with dinner at The Widespread Man in Ashland or Harmony
The place to Keep
Night time 1: North Conway – Japanese Slope Inn, Journey Suites, or Buttonwood Inn
Night time 2: Sugar Hill – Sugar Hill Inn or Sundown Hill Home
Night time 3: Meredith or the Lakes Area – Mill Falls on the Lake, or head south towards Portsmouth for a coastal finale
Elective Add-Ons
Cease at native sugarhouses for maple sweet and syrup tastings
Hike the Flume Gorge for waterfalls and foliage (Franconia)
Go to Jackson for the coated bridge and Pumpkin Folks Pageant (October)
Decide your individual apples at Windy Ridge Orchard or Mack’s Apples
When Is Peak Fall in New Hampshire?
Peak foliage in New Hampshire often happens between late September and mid-October, relying on elevation. Northern areas just like the White Mountains usually change first, adopted by southern components of the state. Test foliage maps or use my New England fall by date information for extra correct timing.
Fall in New Hampshire is extra than simply stunning — it’s a full sensory expertise. From crisp mountain air to charming cities bursting with colour, there’s one thing right here for each sort of traveler. I hope this record helps you intend the right autumn escape.
🍁 Planning a full New England journey? Don’t miss my high information to New England right here!
Extra to learn:
So there you have got it! The perfect locations for fall in New Hampshire. I hope this info helps you intend essentially the most superb autumn journey!