New Hampshire Fall Visitors Guide

If you’ve never tasted an apple plucked directly from the branch, then you’re missing out on one of the unique pleasures of New Hampshire in the fall. That perfect crisp crunch and sweet juice are only found during fall while strolling through orchards or perusing the shelves of the local farmstand. There are many pick-your-own orchards in New Hampshire, but here’s a quick roundup of some of our favorites. Our favorites include Alyson’s Orchard in Walpole, Brookdale Fruit Farm in Hollis, Applecrest Farm in Hampton Falls, and Poverty Lane Orchards in Lebanon.

Nothing screams quintessential New Hampshire in autumn than a fall foliage train tour. Watching the foliage whiz by as you gaze out the window of a train is extra special. Undoubtedly, the most popular New Hampshire fall foliage train tour is the Mount Washington Cog Railroad. Mount Washington is the highest peak in New England, and it’s pretty easy to get to the summit on the very first mountain railway ever to be built. Mount Washington Cog Railroad is an epic place for fall foliage. You will need to be prepared for weather changes during the fall on Mount Washington.

There are several other fantastic fall foliage train rides, including the classy Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train in North Woodstock. On this train, you can opt for a five-course meal as you spend two hours traveling through the heart of New England. The Conway Scenic Railroad and Lincoln’s Hobo Railroad both offer more traditional scenic train rides.

In Franconia Notch State Park, the Artist Bluff Trail is one of the most famous trails for fall foliage in the entire Granite State, and for good reason. This moderate 1.5-mile hike offers stunning views of Echo Lake. You’ll need to park in the parking lot at Echo Lake and walk across the street to find the trailhead specifically for Artist Bluff, which is around .5 miles. Keep going up the street for a separate parking lot if you are hiking the 1.5-mile loop. We recommend doing this hike in the afternoon or for sunset so that the morning fog clears and you can see the stunning fall foliage.

What would fall be without the challenge of a corn maze? Farms across New Hampshire put months of planning, plowing, and creativity into their corn mazes every year. With various sizes, difficulty, and unique themes for each, there are plenty of corn mazes to suit your needs. Some farms even go all out by carving their corn maze into intricate designs that can be seen from a bird’s eye view, like these mazes at Sherman Farm in East Conway or the Coppal House Farm in Lee. A corn maze is perfect for a crisp fall day in New Hampshire.

Some of New Hampshire’s oldest fall festivals date back over 150 years, which means the traditions have deep roots. There are dozens of annual events and festivals dedicated to the best fall activities, like pumpkin carving, apple picking, beer tasting, apple cider donuts, and the star of the season, the fall foliage leaves. You can expect old-fashioned hayrides, pumpkin patches, and fun carnival rides at New Hampshire fall festivals. There are so many amazing ways to celebrate the season in New Hampshire!

Head to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire for a wonderful day trip filled with brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges. Lake Winnipesaukee is a popular summer destination, and New Hampshire’s largest lake offers stunning color in the fall. It is often named one of New England’s most scenic fall foliage destinations.

For a truly immersive experience, embark on the Lake Winnipesaukee scenic drive. This enchanting loop around the lake, spanning just under 100 miles, meanders through quaint small towns, each adding its unique touch to New Hampshire’s fall beauty. The town of Meredith, Alton Bay, and the Castle in the Clouds Estate in Moultonborough are some of the most picturesque spots along the way. And while in Meredith, don’t miss the chance to savor some Cider Bellies Doughnuts, a local favorite often hailed as the best in the state.

It’s spooky season, and New Hampshire has plenty to offer in terms of spooky destinations. Take a haunted ghost tour in New Hampshire for a few extra goosebumps on your fall foliage trip. New England Curiosities offers fun walking tours in Portsmouth that combine folklore, local history, and ghost sightings. With different options depending on your preferences, you’ll find one that piques your curiosity.

While you can see the beautiful covered bridges throughout the year in New Hampshire, fall is an excellent time to see them blanketed by stunning fall colors. New Hampshire has around 60 covered bridges, many built in the mid-to-late 1800s. The bridges are scattered throughout the state, so regardless of your New Hampshire fall foliage route, you can visit at least a few.

If you’re in the White Mountains, several are easy to see, including the Swift River Covered Bridge, the Honeymoon Covered Bridge, and the Albany Covered Bridge. If you’re headed to hike Flume Gorge, you’ll also see Sentinel Covered Bridge and Flume Covered Bridge.

Who doesn’t love the flavors of autumn? Fall in New Hampshire means all the season’s flavors are introduced into new, unique pumpkin and fall beer releases. New Hampshire is home to some spectacular breweries, so make sure to try some of the fall seasonal brews while in the Granite State.

We love Stoneface Brewing in Newington, which also hosts a fun Oktoberfest event to celebrate its seasonal brew releases. Some other fantastic breweries include the Outlaw Brewing Company in Winchester, Blasty Bough Brewing Company in Epsom, and Tuckerman Brewing in North Conway.

While we’re on the subject of adult beverages, sipping on an incredible craft cocktail with pumpkin and apple flavors is a special treat to enjoy during fall in New Hampshire. Tamworth Distilling in Tamworth releases its Chocorua Cider Rye Whiskey and Old Hampshire Applejack around this time and typically offers mulled apple cider in October. Sweetwater Distillery in Winchester releases its maple bourbon during the fall, and White Mountain Cider Co. in Glen serves up its famous Cidertini, which has been the house specialty for years.