Fall in the White Mountains...can you feel it?
Crisp air, colorful leaves, endless painted peaks, and driving slow down winding rural roads - an autumnal road trip is a must if you're planning a visit to our region. But what else is there to do? We'd recommend adding some of the best fall activities in the White Mountains to your seasonal bucket list. Our award-winning foliage is only here for a short time, and we can't wait to show it off!
Fall in the White Mountains is beautiful AND busy. Plan ahead, and brush on the latest operating dates and hours for all major attractions. After that, peruse "Fall Foliage 101" . The top takeaway? Book your tickets online today -- attractions can sell out quickly during peak foliage season.
VISIT AS MANY ATTRACTIONS AS YOU CAN!
There are 17 major attractions in the White Mountains; how many can you cross off your list this year? Columbus Day is usually the last hurrah for several of these iconic attractions, so plan ahead if you'd like to take a fall foliage train ride through Crawford Notch, watch a bear play basketball, zipline through the leaves, or squeeze through a series of granite caves. Better hop to it! And use hashtag #yeswhitemountains if you'd like to show off pictures of your adventures.
NAVIGATE YOUR WAY THROUGH A CORN MAZE
The largest corn maze in New England? Don't mind if we do! Head just a little north and west of the White Mountains and cross the NH border; you're traveling to The Great Vermont Corn Maze. This Danville, VT behemoth has been named one of the Top 6 Corn Mazes in America, and a few quick turns through this twisty, 26-acre swath of corn will tell you why. Plan at least a few hours if you want to conquer the whole maze; it's massive, fun, and challenging, and it's also a great way to get outside and enjoy a crisp, fall day!
All tickets must be purchased in advance. Weather dependent. Visit The Great Vermont Corn Maze's website for hours and dates.
ENJOY ALL THINGS APPLE
Year after year, Windy Ridge Orchard in Haverhill, NH tops the fall lists for "favorite apple orchard," "favorite cider donut," and "favorite place to spend a fall day." Meander the back roads of the White Mountains to get there, and take your time doing some leaf-peeping along the way. Once you arrive at Windy Ridge, grab a bag and head out into the orchard. Stay for lunch, feed the farm animals, and bring home some delicious apple cider! We'd also recommend snagging some still-warm cider donuts for the road.
FROLIC AT A FALL FAIR
During the fall season, the White Mountains region is THE place for fairs and festivals. From beloved traditions like the Sandwich Fair and the Fryeburg Fair (found just over the Maine border) to new, family-friendly events like Happy Hauntings at Story Land and Holly Jolly Halloween at Santa's Village, there is so much to do once the leaves start their colorful show. While we can't cover it all here, we'll give a special shoutout to Oktoberfest at Loon Mountain Resort and the Return of the Pumpkin People in Jackson, NH (more on that below).
Bookmark our Events Calendar for the latest fall fun. We'll see you out and about!
TAKE A HIKE
The White Mountains aren't just great to look at; they're also perfect for exploring! Take a short walk beneath a canopy of leaves or ascend a 4,000-footer to look down on the trees. There are hundreds of hikes to pick from; here are a few of our favorite foliage hikes to get you started.
In all seasons, weather in the White Mountains is unpredictable. Review the Mount Washington Observatory's Higher Summits Forecast before your hike. Plan your route based on the lowest experience level in your group and pack the 10 Hiking Essentials (including, but not limited to, water, snacks, warm clothing, waterproof layers, and hiking boots). We also recommend purchasing a NH Hike Safe card and following Leave No Trace principles from trailhead to summit.
TOUR THE TASTES OF THE SEASON
Wine, beer, and spirit samplings are just more fun during fall!
Start your White Mountains wine and beer tour with a visit to Lincoln, NH's Seven Birches Winery, as well as the wine tasting bar at the Purple Tomato. After that, lunch is in order! The Woodstock Inn Brewery offers cleverly-named brews that nod to local events, lore, and natural beauty. Grab a flight while you wait for a hearty meal, and then stroll down the street to Twin Barns Brewing Co. North Taproom.
From there, take in the fall colors as you head “north of the Notch” and visit our friends at Rek-Lis Brewing Company in Bethlehem, NH.
Last but not least, it's a quick drive to Littleton, NH, where you can explore historic Main Street and pop by the River District for a beer tasting at Schilling Beer Co. This brewery is perched on the banks of the Ammonoosuc River, and has one heck of a deck if you'd like to unwind outside at the end of your tasting tour.
For an in-depth guide, check out our Tasty Tour of the White Mountains. If you make it over to North Conway during your travels, add in a spirited stop at Cathedral Ledge Distillery.
CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF THE PUMPKIN PEOPLE
For over 40 years, Jackson, NH and surrounding towns in the Mount Washington Valley have been delighting visitors with their annual "Return of the Pumpkin People" event. Over 80 businesses and homes take part, creating fun and unique displays using pumpkins and their imaginations. Take the self-guided tour and find your favorite! Maps can be found at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and participating businesses.
"Return of the Pumpkin People" runs October 1-October 31.
Wouldn't you love to add all these activities to your fall bucket list this year? Get started planning your great autumn escape! Monitor our foliage tracker, and view our fall itineraries for even more inspiration.
