The Northern White Mountains are home to so many different amazing fall activities that we are having a hard time choosing ourselves! This Northern White Mountains fall itinerary has something for everyone from a tram ride to a train ride to a Christmas-Halloween crossover.
Choose your adventure
Depending on where you are starting, there are many different adventures to choose from! For the first half of the day, choose your adventure.
Please keep in mind that fall is a very busy time of the year for the White Mountains. If you are visiting an attraction, it is recommended that you make a reservation beforehand. If you are visiting a hiking location and the parking area is full, please pick an alternative trailhead or come back another day.
ADVENTURE ONE:
For adventure one, start the day off at Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola in Bretton Woods, NH for a scenic ride to the top of the mountain. Once you arrive, you can marvel in the views of the Presidential Range, most notably the western side of Mount Washington. While you take in the views, you can grab snacks at Rosebrook Lodge from Peaks Café or Switchback Grille.
After the gondola, get ready for a walk! One of our favorite picks in the area is Mount Willard, a 3-mile hike that leads to gorgeous views of Crawford Notch. Another great option is Mud Pond Trail (on the way to your next stop!), a 1-mile loop that leads to a little pond.
ADVENTURE TWO:
For adventure two, we recommend starting off your day at the Flume Gorge in Franconia, NH. Take a fall walk around the gorge and enjoy the crisp fall air as it surrounds you. The Flume Gorge is a 2-mile walk in Franconia Notch State Park that leads to waterfalls, covered bridges and more amazing sights. Once you are finished exploring all the flume has to offer, head up to Cannon Mountain’s Aerial Tramway for your next activity!
What better way to take in the fall foliage than a tram ride with 360-degree views of Franconia Notch? We can’t think of many. You won’t want to miss a ride on the famous Ketchup and Mustard this fall, as fall 2025 will be the last season in service for this 2nd generation of the Tram after 45 years in service (a 3rd-generation tram will be installed in coming years). Once you are at the 4,080' summit, the options on how to take it in are endless! Walk up to the weather tower, enjoy a beer from the highest tap in NH, or just take in the views from the deck - the choice is yours.
Lunch
If you are feeling hungry from the morning of adventures, it may be time to grab some lunch! You can either charge on and grab lunch from the next stop on our list, or you can stop at a restaurant of your choice!
Visit an attraction
Next on the docket, a visit to an attraction! We know it can be very hard to choose, but you really cannot go wrong. Santa’s Village will be celebrating Halloween the entire month of October with Holly Jolly Halloween! Santas Village will have all their normal holiday treats, but with a Halloween flair.
Another unforgettable attraction to visit is the Mt. Washington Cog Railway. There are so many ways to get to the top of Mount Washington, but the Cog Railway is a fan favorite! Board the train and ride to the top of the highest peak in New England, relishing in all the fall views along the way. Don’t forget that the top of Mount Washington can have completely different weather conditions than the base, so pack warm clothes and lots of layers for the summit.
Reservations are highly recommended at both of these attractions as they will sell out in the busy months.
Dinner
You are most likely hungry after a very fun-filled day, so dinner is next on this list. There are many great options in the area, but if you are up for it, a drive to Littleton will be worth your while if you choose to dine at Schilling Beer Co. Schilling has delicious food, great beer and picturesque views, right in the heart of Littleton, NH. If that’s not your speed, there are several other amazing dining options in the northern White Mountains.
Lodging
There are so many options for lodging in the northern White Mountains, so find one close to where you would like to start your day tomorrow and recharge.
