New Hampshire and Vermont In Autumn: Scenic Drives, Charming Towns, Easy Ways to Enjoy Foliage
When people see images of New England in the fall, the photo was likely taken in either New Hampshire (NH) or Vermont (VT). The other New England states (ME, MA, CT, and RI) are gorgeous in September and October as well, but NH and VT will consistently get the top prize for their unmatched splendor.
This is because leaf-peepers tend to want it all: colorful foliage around every corner; a country road winding through the trees in the middle of nowhere; working farms standing in isolation surrounded by fields; farm stands decked out with pumpkins, haystacks, corn stalks, and scarecrows; and country stores with homemade pies. The mountains and farmlands in Vermont and New Hampshire—particularly during autumn—are naturally beautiful.
Where should you head? The possibilities are endless. Here are a few of my favorite spots in both states.
New Hampshire: The White Mountain State
New Hampshire has more than 1,000 miles of designated scenic fall foliage drives and cultural byways, so if you don’t feel like hiking, make the car do all the work, sit back, and enjoy the ride. The White Mountains are spectacular in autumn.
Take a scenic drive. Stop at an overlook. Explore a little town. Have lunch. Take another scenic drive. Repeat as necessary. It’s that simple.
The Kancamagus Highway
An aerial shot of Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire during peak foliage season. (Photo: Jonathan Ng, Unsplash)
If you only have time for one classic New Hampshire foliage experience, put the Kancamagus Highway near the top of your list.
The 34-mile stretch of Route 112 runs through the White Mountain National Forest between Lincoln and Conway. It's filled with mountain views, pull-offs, waterfalls, covered bridges, and opportunities to get out of the car and explore.
The beauty of the Kancamagus is that you don't have to be a serious hiker to enjoy it. You can make a day of driving, stopping for photographs, having a picnic, and taking short walks. The only potential issue is that this route is extremely popular during peak foliage, so it’s best to start your day early and avoid weekends if you can.
Towns such as North Conway, Lincoln, Jackson, and Littleton make excellent bases for a fall getaway. You can combine foliage viewing with restaurants, local shops, covered bridges, cafés, and other attractions. Jackson, in particular, has postcard-worthy scenery that makes you want to slow down and take pictures. North Conway is filled with outlet stores, restaurants, and entertainment options, plus accommodations due to popular local ski resorts.
Sometimes the best fall day is simply driving a few country roads, stopping when something catches your eye, and exploring a town you've never visited before.
Franconia Notch State Park
Franconia Notch in the Fall. (Photo: Mohan Nannapaneni, Pexels)
Franconia Notch offers some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the White Mountains, and it’s a good spot for photographers or anyone who wants lots of scenery in one area. The scenic corridor includes mountains, forests, lakes, waterfalls, and plenty of opportunities for both easy walks and more challenging hikes.
For a memorable view, consider the area around Echo Lake and Artist's Bluff. You can park by the lake, which is surrounded by mountains, take some pics, or enjoy a picnic. Artist’s Bluff offers a big payoff for a relatively short hike, but it isn’t an ‘easy hike’. The short route is about ½ mile, but the terrain is steep, rocky, and uneven in some sections. The full loop is even more demanding. The payoff? One of the most spectacular foliage views in the White Mountains. From the rocky overlook, you can look across Echo Lake toward Cannon Mountain and the surrounding Franconia Notch.
Up for more activity? Flume Gorge is one of the White Mountains' classic fall attractions, but be prepared for a roughly two-mile loop with stairs and uneven terrain, plus boardwalk sections that can be a bit slick. You’ll see waterfalls, a covered bridge, moss-covered rock walls, and the narrow gorge itself (so definitely worth seeing) if you’re up for the hike.
Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee taken from Gilford, NH. (Photo: Mason McCall, Pexels)
New Hampshire's largest lake offers a completely different kind of foliage experience. Instead of mountain views, you'll see colorful hillsides reflected in the water.
During the summer and fall, a lot is going on in this area. The communities around Lake Winnipesaukee—including Meredith and Laconia, NH—make nice places to stop for lunch, browse shops, or walk along the water.
Boat Cruise
If a boat cruise sounds appealing, check out the daily cruises from Mount Washington Cruises out of Meredith, NH. Their late afternoon cruise (during ‘golden hour’) offers not only views of the autumn-colored shoreline but also sweeping views of the surrounding mountains from the water.
Train Rides
The Granite State Railroad has a 5-hour Fall Foliage Special Train that departs Meredith at 11:00 am on most days between late September and mid-October. It proceeds north to Plymouth, NH, where you disembark for an included lunch, and then hop back on the train to return to Meredith.
Shorter Granite State Railroad routes (1-2 hours) traveling around Lake Winnipesaukee depart from Meredith, Weirs Beach, and Laconia, NH.
Pedal A Rail Bike
Looking for a bit of exercise other than hiking? Rent a 4-person electric bike and pedal the Granite State Railroad’s historic rail trail. Start your journey in Laconia (lake trail) or Lincoln, NH (mountain trail), and enjoy the ride surrounded by mountain views, forest landscapes, and the natural beauty New Hampshire is known for.
The Great North Woods (a.k.a. North Country)
The Great North Woods covers a small portion of northern New Hampshire but is packed with quiet beauty. (Photo: ChatGPT Image 9.17.26 of Great North Woods in NH, ChatGPT)
If you want to get away from the busiest foliage destinations, consider heading farther north. Just keep in mind that the Great North Woods region of New Hampshire is very different than the White Mountains region. Located at the northern tip of New Hampshire, the region offers forests, lakes, quiet roads, mountain views, and wildlife viewing.
A couple of things to know upfront:
It’s a long drive to North Country—for example, it’s at least a four-hour drive from Boston without traffic. For that reason, I would recommend spending a night or two in the area rather than treating it as a day trip.
Because it is more remote than other NH regions, it is a quieter leaf-peeping experience. You won’t find specific sights or stops you ‘must make’ along the way. It’s a quiet scenic drive through a very rural area and not a sightseeing trip per se.
Secure your overnight accommodations upfront. Your best options will be in Pittsburg, Colebrook, and Errol, but keep in mind that since all three of these towns are small with low populations, choices may be limited.
The Great North Woods is a particularly good choice for an early fall foliage trip. It’s generally the first part of New Hampshire to reach peak color, often starting in late September, when foliage in southern sections of New England is still quite patchy.
Vermont: The Green Mountain State
Quintessential Vermont is known for pure maple syrup, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Cabot sharp cheddar cheese, breweries and cideries, 20+ ski resorts (Killington, Sugarbush, Stowe), farm-to-table restaurants, and so much more.
Make The Drive The Destination
Vermont foliage taken from Middlebury Bread Loaf Campus near routes 100 and 125. (Photo: Tom Dils, Unsplash)
You don't have to hike Vermont's mountains to experience them. Sometimes the best way to experience the mountains in the fall is to sit in the passenger seat.
Where New Hampshire has the Kancamagus Highway, Vermont has Route 100. It runs through the heart of the state, connecting scenic countryside, small towns, farms, and mountain scenery.
Stowe
Non-denominational Stowe Community Church, Stowe, VT. (Photo: Abhi Verma, Unsplash)
Stowe gives you the whole package: mountains, colorful trees, covered bridges, farms, charming shops, restaurants, and picture-perfect photos. It's also a great destination for travelers who want choices during their fall trip—you can hike, bike, take a scenic drive, or silently gaze at the mountains while sipping something warm from your B&B.
The town is quaint, with good restaurants and shops. The mostly flat 5-mile Stowe Recreation Path is great for biking or walking. It winds its way along a creek and through farmland that is simply beautiful. My son learned to rollerblade on this path when he was young, and it has remained a quiet, well-maintained path that all generations enjoy.
One highlight in the area is the Stowe Gondola SkyRide that will bring you to the top of Mt. Mansfield – Vermont’s highest mountain. Open year-round, it offers spectacular elevated views without hiking the mountain.
And there’s the Trapp Family Lodge, a historic resort owned by the famous von Trapp family of The Sound of Music. If you’re interested in Austrian food and a cozy vibe, book a lunch reservation at The Lounge restaurant. The hotel also offers a variety of tours (von Trapp family history, von Trapp brewery, the lodge itself, the maple syrup process, and more).
Woodstock
Along the Green in Woodstock, Vermont. (Photo: Craig Tidball, Unsplash)
Woodstock is almost offensively picturesque. Covered bridges? Check. Historic buildings? Check. Colorful trees? Absolutely. Quaint shops? Of course. Good food options? Check. And the Woodstock Village Historic District (where most visitors head).
It's the kind of town where you grab a latte and walk leisurely around the center of town, poking into small shops with a country vibe, while you decide where you want to grab lunch. Even a busy weekend can’t squash the relaxed vibe. When I think of Woodstock, I smell the clean, crisp air with hints of wood-burning fireplace smoke; hear the dry fallen leaves crunching beneath my feet; and smell fresh-brewed coffee and maple treats along my walk, beckoning me to consume way more calories than I should!
Pair Woodstock with scenic drives through the surrounding countryside, and you've got an easygoing fall getaway that doesn't require an elaborate itinerary.
Planning Your Foliage Trip
One of the biggest mistakes people make is choosing a date first, and a destination second. Both states have foliage tracker apps.
New Hampshire's official Foliage Tracker provides twice-weekly updates during the season, making it a useful resource when you're deciding where to go.
Vermont’s official Foliage Tracker provides weekly updates.
When is Peak?
Color peak generally moves from north to south as the season progresses:
Late September:
NH: Great North Woods
VT: Some of the higher elevations
Late September–early October:
NH: Northern White Mountains peak
VT: Northeast Kingdom and Upper Green Mountains peak
First two weeks of October:
NH: White Mountains, including Franconia and the Lakes Region, including Winnipesaukee peak
VT: Central Vermont, the northern Green Mountains, and higher southern terrain peak
Mid-to-late October:
Southern New Hampshire and Vermont peak
These are general patterns, not guarantees! Weather can shift the timing, and higher elevations often change before lower elevations.
A Few Tips for a Better Foliage Day
Go early. Popular locations can become crowded during peak weekends.
Don't obsess over "peak." A tree doesn't suddenly become unattractive the day before or after peak foliage. You can have a beautiful experience throughout the season.
Get off the main road. Some of the best discoveries happen on the smaller roads between destinations.
Bring layers. Temperatures can be considerably cooler in the mountains, especially in the morning and evening.
Make reservations early. Fall is one of New Hampshire's busiest tourism seasons, particularly in the White Mountains.
Give yourself extra time. A foliage drive is not a race. You'll want to stop for the view, the farm stand, the covered bridge, or the little town you weren't expecting to love.
