Fall activities beckon in the Lakes Region

A burst of warm weather and the crisp air of autumn has extended our fall this year. New Hampshire’s Lakes Region has transformed into a palette of more color than a Henri Mattice painting. Though we’re slightly past peak foliage, the color still pops like an orchestra in Boston. Many camps have been closed for the season and the festivities of fall are well under way. This weekend, many will congregate in downtown Laconia for the annual Pumpkin Festival. But there are so many activities yet to enjoy.

Scenic drives and leaf peeping

The Lakes Region is renowned for its stunning fall foliage, and one of the best ways to take in the color is by embarking on a scenic drive. As you wind through the picturesque roads that surround the lakes, there are numerous farm stands, restaurants and unique shops where local artisans showcase their talents in food, crafts, and other artistic delights.

Hiking trails with a view

While on that drive, you’ll surely pass many trailheads offering hiking for all skill and fitness levels. The moderate 3.8-mile round-trip climb of Mount Major offers spectacular views of Lake Winnipesaukee. For a shorter, more family-friendly option, Rattlesnake Mountain in Holderness provides a quick 1.4-mile hike with stunning views of Squam Lake and the surrounding foliage.

For something a bit more challenging, The Ossipee Mountains on the north side of Lake Winnipesaukee is surrounded by moderate to hard-level trails. If you’ve ever wondered why the Ossipee Range is round, it’s known as a ring dike. Geologists believe it was formed 1.2 million years ago from a collapsed volcano. Many have found volcanic rocks throughout the region.

Apple picking and harvest festivals

There are many farms throughout the Lakes Region offering pick-your-own apples, corn mazes, and all kinds of fall activities. Apple cider, fresh sugar doughnuts, and harvest vegetables. Many have locally sourced meats and dairy as well.

Wine tasting and craft beer

Autumn is also a time to savor the flavors of the Lakes Region. Hermit Woods Winery in Meredith offers tastings of locally made wines, including their signature fruit wines that pair perfectly with the fall season. Many of the wines feature ingredients grown right in New Hampshire, giving you a taste of the region’s agricultural bounty.

For craft beer enthusiasts, a visit to one of the region’s many breweries are a must. Twin Barns Brewing Company & Kettlehead Brewing in Meredith and Lone Wolfe Brewing Company in Wolfeboro offer seasonal brews that capture the essence of fall. Sip on a pumpkin ale or an Oktoberfest-style lager. Beans and Greens in Gilford offers great food and craft beer from Notch Brewing Company, along with live music and lots of fun activities for the whole family, like the popular corn maze.

Haunted attractions and Halloween fun

For those looking to add a little spookiness to their fall experience, the Lakes Region

offers plenty of Halloween-themed activities. From spooky mazes and trunk-or-treats to

the terrifying Haunted Overload in Lee, New Hampshire. Though a bit of a drive, this is one of the most impressive, haunted attractions in the country, with elaborate sets and terrifying actors. Of course, the peak of the spooky season closes with trick-or-treating.

Cozy retreats and firepit evenings

After a day of exploring, there’s nothing better than cozying up by a fire. Many of the region’s inns and lodges offer outdoor firepits, perfect for warming up on a cool fall evening. Consider staying at places like Mill Falls at the Lake in Meredith or The Wolfeboro Inn, both of which offer a charming atmosphere and easy access to nearby fall activities.

As Minister Thomas Starr King once mused “A visit to New Hampshire supplies the most resources to a traveler, and confers the most benefit on the mind and taste, when it lifts him above mere appetite for wildness, ruggedness, and the feeling of mass and precipitous elevation, into a perception and love of the refined grandeur, the chaste sublimity, the airy majesty overlaid with tender and polished bloom, in which the landscape splendor of a noble mountain lies.”

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This article was written by Randy Miller. Randy is a Realtor at Roche Realty Group with an office in Meredith, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.