The Ultimate New Hampshire Fall Bucket List: 23 Best Experiences
Looking for a New Hampshire fall bucket list to help you plan your season?
Fall seems to be the one season that sneaks up on us every year. Have you ever noticed that? It’s probably because we spend August trying to fit in the last of our summer activities.
Before we know it, fall is here, and we haven’t planned a single thing yet. Then it’s a race to try to figure out where to go, what to do, and how to fit it all in.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve created this specifically to help streamline the process for you by gathering all the top things to do into one ultimate New Hampshire fall bucket list.
By the end, you’ll be well on your way to planning your best fall season yet.
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White Mountains Fall Bucket List
Visiting the White Mountains is always one of the best ways to experience the fall season in New Hampshire because it offers many of the quintessential foliage activities.
Whether you plan to spend your time exploring different hiking trails or opting for more leisurely activities like foliage train rides, there’s a little something for everyone.
Here’s a look at some of the best things to do in the White Mountains in the fall.
1. Drive the Kancamagus Highway
The Kancamagus Highway is one of the most iconic scenic drives in all of New Hampshire. This route stretches for a total of 34.5 miles and connects Conway and Lincoln, New Hampshire.
Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to pull off and enjoy some of the best foliage views around. You’ll find many scenic overlooks and hiking trails along the way, some of which offer the opportunity to view some of New Hamsphire’s best waterfalls.
Remember to start your drive early. The Kancamagus gets very crowded during foliage, especially on the weekends.
2. Ride a Scenic Train Through the White Mountains
One of the most classic ways to view the foliage while in the White Mountains is to board one of the many scenic trains in the area.
You have your choice of several including The Cog Railway, Conway Scenic Railway, and Granite State Railway which operates trains out of Lincoln.
They all of offer rides of varying length to some of the most scenic spots in the state for viewing foliage.
If the weather isn’t cooperating during your visit, this is a perfect activity for rainy days.
3. Take a Gondola to the Top of a Mountain
The Loon Mountain Gondola Skyride is a great activity that offers stunning views over the White Mountains and surrounding valleys.
If you find yourself in the Bretton Woods area, we recommend taking the scenic gondola ride up Mount Rosebrook. This is actually one of our favorite gondola rides for seeing foliage because it offers stunning views over the Mt. Washington Resort and Presidential Range including Mount Washington.Â
4. Explore the Fall Scenery of Franconia Notch
A visit to Franconia Notch State Park is a must when visiting the White Mountains. This is where you’ll find The Flume Gorge, a 2-mile trail that meanders along wooded paths, past beautiful waterfalls, and through its historic covered bridge.Â
In addition to The Flume, you’ll also find numerous other hiking trails as well as Echo Lake where you can rent paddle boats and canoes.
5. Walk Across Some Covered Bridges
New Hampshire is home to 58 historic numbered bridges, the oldest which was built in 1829. Even though they can be visited year round, there’s just something about visiting during peak foliage.Â
If you’re visiting the White Mountains in the fall, you can easily fit in a visit to a few of the local covered bridges such as the Flume Covered Bridge, Bartlett Covered Bridge, and Littleton Covered Bridge just to name a few.
Several of these are easily accessible and don’t require any hiking to get to.
6. Wander Main Street in North Conway
North Conway can get pretty crowded during fall foliage, but it still has one of the best main streets around. You’ll find everything from cozy coffee shops to small boutiques. There are also some great restaurants along this stretch of road.
Don’t forget to visit Zeb’s General Store. This is a must when visiting North Conway.
7. Drive to the Top of Mount Washington
If you’re visiting the North Conway area, try to fit in a drive up Mt. Washington. The 7.6 mile journey is filled with hairpin turns and spectacular views that reach as far as Maine and New York on a clear day. If you want foliage views, this is one of the best around.
Be sure to bring an extra layer, because the top can be very cold and windy compared to the base.
8. Hike to a Scenic Waterfall
You can’t visit New Hampshire in the fall without hiking to one of the many beautiful waterfalls.
Some only require a short hike over fairly flat terrain like Diana’s Baths, while others require a more strenuous hike like Arethusa Falls.
Whichever one you choose, they usually make for stunning pictures, especially surrounded by the colorful foliage.
Want our complete 3-day White Mountains fall itinerary?
→ White Mountains in the Fall: A 3-Day Itinerary From a NH Local
Lakes Region Fall Bucket List
The White Mountains get most of the attention in the fall, but you might want to consider a visit to the lakes region instead.
At this time of year, there’s plenty to see and do and the foliage surrounding the lakes is absolutely stunning, especially when it’s peak.
9. Take a Foliage Cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee
While sailing around Lake Winnipesaukee is usually associated with summertime, there are cruises that operate through mid-October.
It’s a great way to view the foliage at a more leisurely pace. In addition to the standard narrated tour, you can also opt for brunch cruises or dinner cruises if you prefer.Â
10. Wander Wolfeboro’s Downtown and Waterfront
Wolfeboro is known as the oldest summer resort town in America, but even with that esteemed title, it’s still probably one of the most underrated towns in the lakes region.
When wandering through Wolfeboro, you’ll find mostly quaint local shops and historic brick buildings as opposed to tacky souvenir shops.
It’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re taking one of the foliage cruises that depart from here. Â
11. Visit Meredith’s Shops and Mill Falls Marketplace
Meredith is another great town to explore in the fall if you’re in the lakes region. You can spend some time visiting the Mill Falls Marketplace, where you’ll find some great local shops to wander through.
If you happen to visit in early October, the Autumn Craft Festival on the Lake is held here. You can find tons of local crafts and specialty foods, a perfect way to spend a fall afternoon.Â
12. Explore Castle in the Clouds
If you’ve never been to Castle in the Clouds, you need to include a stop here if you’re in the lakes region.
There are numerous activities available here, whether you want to tour Lucknow Mansion or explore one of the numerous hiking trails.
This is probably one of the best places in the area to view fall foliage, especially with the views over Lake Winnipesaukee.
13. Drive the Route 109/Route 25 Loop Around the Lake
You don’t need to head deep into the mountains for a scenic fall drive. If you’re in the lakes area, you can spend the day driving the Route 109/Route 25 loop instead.
This loop will take you past picturesque towns like Center Harbour, Meredith, Wolfeboro, and Weirs Beach. You’ll also see some beautiful lake views along the way.Â
14. Visit a Lakes Region Farm Stand or Orchard
If you’re heading out on a scenic drive, try to make some time to stop at the one of the local farm stands.Â
There are several in the area including Moulton Farm and Picnic Rock Farm. You’ll find everything from fresh vegetables to homemade pies. They make for a great stop before heading home.
15. Ride the Granite State Railway Train
If you’d like to take a scenic foliage train ride but don’t want to head all the way to North Conway, take a ride on the Granite State Railway train instead. They offer 1 or 2 hour scenic rides or you can opt for a longer 5 hour foliage train.
Many of these sell out in advance, so try to reserve your tickets in advance, especially if you are limited to the weekends.
If you want more ideas for visiting New Hampshire in the fall, check out this guide:
→ New Hampshire in the Fall: 9 Best Weekend Ideas You’ll Love
Seacoast Fall Bucket List
The seacoast may not be a traditional fall foliage destination, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit.
There are some great hiking trails, beautiful parks, and numerous activities that will allow you to enjoy the fall season.
16. Walk the Historic Streets of Portsmouth
New Hampshire doesn’t have a ton of coastline, but Portsmouth does a great job of representing the state.
We love visiting any time of year, but we particularly like visiting in fall. Most of the quaint shops and cozy restaurants are open year round.
Visiting in the fall is a great way to get a jump start on Christmas shopping because we tend to find a lot of unique things. After shopping, we like to grab some clam chowder at one of the waterfront restaurants.
When visiting, be sure to stop at Commercial Alley, a historic part of town known for its quaint cobblestone streets. If you have time, we also recommend a visit to Strawberry Banke Museum, a museum made up of historic houses that you can roam through. Fall is an ideal time to visit and wander through the gardens to see some fall foliage colors.
17. Visit Local Parks for Fall Foliage Views
If you want to take in some foliage without heading to the mountains, you can visit some of the local parks along the seacoast instead.
Prescott Park in Portsmouth is located along the waterfront, so it’s a nice place to wander and enjoy the views.
Odiorne State Park is another park with a waterfront location in Rye, New Hampshire.
18. Take a Foliage Cruise or Lighthouse Tour
Many people may not know this, but you don’t need to head to the lakes region to take a foliage cruise.
There’s a cruise that departs right out of Portsmouth. Portsmouth Harbor Cruises offers departures through most of October, so if you find yourself in the area, it might be worth adding this to your itinerary.
Another tour worth checking out is the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse Tour. With these guided tours, you’ll learn about the fascinating history of the lighthouse and get an inside view of the lighthouse itself.
19. Drive Route 1A Along the Coast
If you’re looking for a coastal route to follow during foliage, traveling along Route 1A is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
The route technically starts in Massachusetts, but it works its way up the coast towards Portsmouth, NH. Enjoy 22 miles of coastal views, beaches, and quaint towns like Rye, Hampton, and New Castle.
Classic Fall Activity Bucket List
A New Hampshire fall bucket list wouldn’t be complete without including some of the more classic activities. These are the ones that, no matter how many times we’ve done them, they make it onto the bucket list every single year.
Let’s take a look at these classics.
20. Visit a Local Farm for Apple Picking and Cider Donuts
We can’t have a New Hampshire fall bucket list without including a visit to some of the local farms for apple picking and sampling of the season’s most beloved indulgence, the cider donut.
There are many farms across the state where you can do both, but if you find yourself near the seacoast, our favorite is Applecrest Orchard. We visit every year and it never disappoints.Â
Other options to consider are Butternut Farm in Farmington and DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee.Â
21. Attend a local fall festival or harvest fair
The fall season wouldn’t be complete without visiting a local festival or fair, and New Hampshire has plenty to choose from. One of the more notable ones is The Deerfield Fair which takes place in late September or early October.
22. Visit a local brewery/cidery for a seasonal release
The seacoast in New Hampshire is home to numerous breweries and fall is the perfect time to check them out. You can sample some of their seasonal brews and enjoy some live entertainment.
Some of our favorites are Smuttynose in Hampton Falls and Stoneface in Newington. One of our favorite fall traditions is to visit Applecrest Orchard for apple picking and donuts, and then we head over to Smuttynose for beer and dinner.
23. Take a Haunted Tour
If you’ve ever visited Boston, you may have noticed the haunted tour buses driving around the city. But did you know that you don’t have to go all the way to Boston to experience a haunted tour?
U.S. Ghost Adventures offers guided walking tours through the streets of Portsmouth. These 1-hour tours are a great add-on if you’re visiting the area. Â
Answering Your Questions About a New Hampshire Fall Bucket List
What are the best places to visit in New Hampshire during the fall?
Some of the best places to visit in New Hampshire during the fall are the White Mountains, the lakes region, and the Mt. Monadnock area.
What are the best towns to visit in New Hampshire during the fall?
Some of the best towns to visit in New Hampshire during the fall are North Conway, Jackson, Meredith, and Lincoln.
What’s the best time to visit New Hampshire in the fall?
New Hampshire is great to visit any time in the fall but if you want to see peak foliage, the best time to visit is usually late September to early October.
Our Final Take: New Hampshire Fall Bucket List
If you’re visiting New England, New Hampshire is one of the absolute best places to visit for fall foliage. Whether you’re spending time in the White Mountains, exploring the lakes region, or discovering more of the seacoast, there’s no shortage of things to do.
The trick is trying to fit it all in. Hopefully this list will inspire you to create your own New Hampshire fall bucket list so you can make the most of the season.
If you have any questions about visiting New Hampshire in the fall, feel free to reach out to us.
Talk soon!
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