Foliage Road Trip Getaways in New Hampshire
NH Mountains and Hillsides at Peak Color in September and October
Sep 20, 2009
Fall makes everyone want to get outside in the fresh air. There is a clean fresh scent in the air, the sun seems a bit brighter and colors more intense. Perhaps it’s the sense of approaching winter in the air that suggests it’s time to take a last look at the mountains and stock up for the coming winter.
Because everyone wants to see this annual fall foliage extravaganza, it’s best to make plans early for lodging in the busiest parts of the state – the White Mountains, The lakes and the Monadnock region. Here are a few tips on when the color will start and where to find it. Keep an eye out for farmer’s markets and farm stands all along the way; they are a great way to meet some local residents and to shop for locally produced foods and fine crafts.
North of the Mountains
North of the Mount Washington Valley lies is a vast wilderness area covered in trees. Take a weekend and follow I-93, continuing up Route 3 north of Franconia Notch. It will travel through Groveton, Lancaster and then along the Connecticut River through Colebrook and on to Pittsburg and the Connecticut Lakes. On the way back, follow Route 145 from Pittsburg to Colebrook, past Beaver Brook Falls. Route 26 heads east through Dixville Notch past the legendary grand hotel, The Balsams, to Route 16 at Errol. Follow it south through Berlin and on to Conway. Take Route 112 (the Kancamagus Highway) heads back through Lincoln to I-93. The foliage color along these routes changes daily through September and into early October.
A Foliage Tours in the Lakes Region and White Mountains
The Conways, Lakes Region and Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee areas form the beautiful middle part of the state, where it’s important to get off the highway and take secondary roads. From Route 16 at Milton, take Route 153, following it along the Maine border (and at one point into Maine) all the way to Conway and the shopping destination of North Conway, the heart of the White Miountain National Forest. The Red Jacket Resort is a good choice for lodging, right in the middle of the White Mountains. Take a break from driving with foliage ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad.
Another scenic drive follows Routes 3 and 3A from Concord to Bristol and the shores of beautiful Newfound Lake. Circle it, then follow Route 104 to Route 4 at Danbury, on through Salisbury and back to Route 3 at Boscawen.
Changing Leaves and Pumpkins in Southern NH
Northwest from Manchester, Route 114 heads toward Goffstown, then winds through wooded rolling countryside to Bradford and continues north and west to New London. Continue exploring roads around Lake Sunapee or follow I-89 back south for a high view of more colorful trees. Color here picks up the last week of September and is at its prime through the first two weeks of October.
In the Monadnock Region of southwestern New Hampshire, Keene is where the famed Pumpkin Festival is held in mid-October (17th in 2009), assembling record-breaking thousands of lighted jack-o-lanterns. From Keene take Route 9 west to Route 63 and then north to Route 12 to follow the Connecticut River north. Stop to see Walpole, a classic post-card New England village. Buy chocolate at Burdick’s or ice cream at Walpole Creamery and stock up on heritage apple varieties at Alyson’s Orchard. To extend the route, at North Walpole take Route 123 east to Marlow, then follow Route 10 through Goshen and Newport to I-89 at Grantham.
Fall colors usually stay bright in southwestern New Hampshire at least until after mid-October. Fall Foliage in New Hampshire is a special time of year, enjoy it.
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