Late fall….the leaves are past peak and tumbling to the forest floor. In their stead comes snow sprinkled across our mountain peaks, and cozy, abundant adventures. What is the best thing to do in the White Mountains during late October and early November? We’d say a throwback train ride, a self-guided tour of our haunted spots, and local tax-free shopping, but there’s so much more to see. Take the next few paragraphs as your free ticket to fall daydreaming. The adventure part? That’s up to you!
ROLL THROUGH THE DAY ABOARD A TRAIN
CONWAY SCENIC RAILROAD (North Conway, NH)
Is Mount Washington Valley a must-tour this time of year? Yes! Book a ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad to see it all aboard either the Mountaineer, Sawyer River, or Conway excursions. Each trip varies in length and scenery, so do a bit of scrolling on the Conway Scenic’s website to book your optimum adventure.
Book tickets online in advance. Open daily through 11/11, followed by teh weekends of 11/16 & 11/17 and 11/23 & 11/24 (plus special Santa Train excursions).
GRANITE STATE SCENIC RAILWAY (Lincoln, NH)
If you’ve been after an old-fashioned train ride that includes woodsy and river views in close proximity to Lincoln, NH, opt for the Granite State Scenic Railway. The GSSR’s 90-minute excursion along the banks of the Pemigewasset River is a prime pick if you want to enjoy a picnic lunch (pack your own) with an ever-changing view.
Excursion offered 10/26. For more information, visit the Granite State's website.
MOUNT WASHINGTON COG RAILWAY (Marshfield Station, NH)*
Mother Nature might be winding down for the season, but don’t sleep on the spectacular views found during a ride on the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Spot the last remnants of fall color in the valleys down below while also admiring the crisp white dusting of snow on nearby mountain peaks. *CLOSED 10/28 - 11/8 for track replacement at the Base Station.
Excursions to the summit run through 10/27 (state park amenities at the summit closed for the season). After the Cog's brief closure 10/28 - 11/8, the Cog, winter operations to Waumbek Station (3,900') will commence on Saturday, November 9.
RECORD YOUR OWN KIND OF MOUNTAIN MUSIC
All you creative types, take note: late fall is a great time to capture the sounds of the White Mountains. Think rain drumming against a cabin’s weathered roof, the crunch of fall leaves underfoot, Canadian geese honking in the sky, and the wind whistling at a scenic overlook. Head out on one of these waterfall walks if you’d like to add in the sound of a burbling river, or get in the spirit and record the Christmas tunes playing throughout Santa’s Village (Jefferson, NH) during their last fall weekend of Holly Jolly Halloween (Story Land's new Happy Hauntings could be a great option too). Edit all your clips together, and long after the season has ended, your soundscape can send you right back down memory lane.
ZIP AND RIDE THROUGH THE SEASONS
A six-wheeled Swiss Army Pinzgauer might be the last thing you’d expect to see in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, but Alpine Adventures (Lincoln, NH) has upped the ante on unique ways to explore our region. Book a guided Pinzgauer tour up Barron Mountain to see fall as it transitions towards winter (the views are even better once the leaves are down) – if you’re feeling ultra daring, you can also add on a ziplining sesh to see it all from up above.
Open Fridays - Mondays, plus select dates. Reservations highly recommended. Visit Alpine's website for available dates by activity.
TAKE A SCARY GOOD SELF-GUIDED TOUR
Halloween will be here before you know it – time to embrace spooky season! The White Mountains is filled with historic haunted spots (like the ghost town of Livermore and the Princess Room at the Omni Mount Washington Resort) and scary tales to tell during your next road trip through the region.
For even more thrills and chills, check out "Ghost Light", a haunted theatrical attraction found at the North Country Center for the Arts at Jean’s Playhouse (through 10/26), the Haunted Winnipesaukee excursion offered by Mount Washington Cruises (through 10/26) and the Graveyard History Walking Tour at Castle in the Clouds (through 10/28).
HEAD INDOORS FOR SOME SUPRISING COLOR
The fall leaves have shifted from decorating our trees to fluttering around on the ground in soft shades of brown. If you are still craving some punchy hues, our best advice over these next few weeks is to head inside! Living Shores Aquarium (Glen, NH) houses all sorts of fauna plus every imaginable color – the vivid green of a tropical snake, the bejeweled hues of a lorikeet, and rusty red circles on the side of a native trout (just to name a few).
Open year round. Fall dates: Fridays – Mondays (through 12/23).
GET “BOULDER” WITH YOUR ROAD TRIP CHOICES
If you think you’ve seen it all for road trips, try a novel approach: look for rocks that rock! From immense glacial erratics like Madison Boulder to elephantine landmarks, our region is peppered with noteworthy geologic features. See if you can hit all the ones featured in this blog before the snow truly flies.
BEAT THE HOLIDAY RUSH & SHOP LOCAL
Procrastinators might want to keep scrolling, but our favorite way to avoid a holiday headache is to start shopping for presents well before the holiday season kicks off. Not sure where to start? Add these local shops and outlet centers (all tax-free!) to your list.
See you out there, late fall fans!
