Do you dream of witnessing some of the best fall foliage in the world? New Hampshire is the place to be. You can take a gorgeous drive on the Kancamagus National Scenic Byway, take some idyllic photos of covered bridges, and take a hike through the White Mountains. Here is a list of our top three things to do while exploring New Hampshire in the fall.
1. Hike Franconia Notch State Park
This is one of our favorite state parks in the country and for good reason. Every hike here feels like you are walking through a magical fairy land.
The flume gorge is definitely worth the extra cost, but go early to get the gorge to yourself. I can only imagine what these narrow boardwalks look like on a warm fall Saturday at noon. The crowds would be too much for us to enjoy the views.
The artist bluff trail is perfect for viewing fall foliage and a short steep climb with lots of interesting rocks to climb up. We had the trail to ourselves. But be sure to go in the third week of October or the crowds of leaf peepers will be out in full force late September through early October.
The basin is a short walk from the parking lot, but continue walking up the cascading stream for views all the way!
2. Find a moose!
You can actually go on a moose tour, but we spotted our first ever moose sighting by taking a drive through the white mountains at sunset. From what I hear, the moose tours are loads of fun and you have a few companies to choose from. The further north and forested, the more likely you will see a Moose. But when we go looking for them, we never see any. North Conway Moose Safari Moose Tour would be a good place to book a tour for your best chances of spotting one.
3. Go up into the clouds!
Mt. Washington is the highest peak In the Northeastern US. You can summit this peak in three unique ways. You can hike to the top, but only if you are comfortable with a challenge. Some of the most extreme weather conditions in the world have been recorded here. But if you are training to climb Everest or just up for a challenge, then go for it! You can ride the cog railway to the top for $69 per adult. We camped at the base of Mt. Washington at the cog railway as @harvesthosts members and loved the beautiful views. Or you can drive up for $10 per adult on the auto road (pictured above). The auto road will give you numerous options to pull off and take in the views throughout the climb. Also, if you drive up, be sure to download the app to listen to the history of this beautiful mountain.
We adore New Hampshire in the fall. I have never experienced more vibrant leaf colors than on our drives here. The scenic views of the white mountains and the numerous hiking opportunities, are a nature lovers dream.
