Fall in New Hampshire is so much more than just flannel shirts and leaf peeping. Autumn is when the state’s lush landscapes come to life with vivid color, illuminating a fiery passion for the season and all its traditions. It’s not fall until you’ve plucked a juicy red apple from a New Hampshire orchard, sipped on locally-made cider or gotten lost in a corn maze. Make the most of the season and appreciate the classic fall experiences memories are made of.
With dozens upon dozens of beautiful apple orchards in the state, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect spot to harvest your share of autumn apples. And these days farms don’t just stop at the produce; many offer fun festivals, classic hayrides, those freshly made apple cider donuts, and even pumpkin-picking all season-long to complete the experience. Plus, when a state is home to one of the nation’s
oldest apple orchards—you know our apples are elite!
What would fall be without challenging a corn maze with the crew?! Farms all across the state put months of planning, plowing, and creativity into their corn mazes each year. With varying levels of size, difficulty, length, and unique themes for each—there are plenty of options to suit your needs. Some farms even go all out—carving their corn maze into intricate designs that can be seen from a bird’s eye view like the ones at
Coppal House Farm in Lee or
Sherman Farm in East Conway.
New Hampshire farms are at the heart of each fall here in the Granite State. The scent of their crisp red apples and cider fills the air, pumpkin patches light up landscapes, and old-fashioned hayrides offer a front-row view of it all. Check out these local farms that offer hayrides and plan a visit!
All aboard! New Hampshire is famous for our astounding autumn train rides that cut through some of the state’s most impressive landscapes. And in the fall? The views are simply breathtaking. Imagine riding up the steep slopes of the tallest peak in the northeast on the famous
Cog Railway just to see the state cloaked in a fiery blaze of color. Or rounding the state’s largest lake on the
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad to capture the contrast of bold foliage against royal blue waters. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
For the 21+ crowd, fall is the perfect time to visit a local winery or vineyard. Between fruit wines, delicious ciders and meads and beautiful foliage as the backdrop to it all—there’s no better time of year to visit! New Hampshire is home to over 30 breweries across our 7 regions, so there is no shortage of beautiful tasting rooms, patios, and wineries to explore during the season. Or, make your own adventure and follow New Hampshire’s
Wine and Cheese Trail to sample your way around the state!
Some of New Hampshire’s oldest festivals date back over 150 years, which means our traditions have deep roots. Today, dozens of annual events take place all over the state, dedicated entirely to fall activities like apple picking, beer tasting, pumpkin carving, and the star of the season: the leaves themselves. With so many options, there are boundless ways to celebrate the season! Be sure to check out our annual NH Festivals page and consult our
Events Calendar to scope out the season’s latest activities and see what’s happening in the state!
Now that you’ve got the lowdown on New Hampshire’s most colorful season, all that’s left to do is map out your plans and hit the road for unforgettable fall adventures!