Great places to visit during NH’s fall foliage season

It’s that time of year — crisp, sunny days, followed by cool nights, creating long-lasting fall colors. Nature bursts into magnificent colors in the upcoming weeks in the Granite State and throughout the Lakes Region. We live in a special part of the country, and the following are great locations and attractions to visit in our region during this special time of year:

Squam Lake in Holderness was recently named the best place to look at the foliage in New Hampshire, as reported in the USA Today on Sept. 13. Yankee Magazine named the best of the top six calming places to celebrate New England fall foliage without the distraction of huge crowds. Squam Lake in Holderness was one of the top six in New England. You’ll delight in the woodlands and trail networks dotting the hillsides. Squam Lake Natural Science Center is a great natural attraction. You can book a 90-minute naturalist-led pontoon boat cruise. The fiery colors of the surrounding mountain slopes are captivating. Walter’s Basin is a popular lakeside restaurant and bar with great menu options and the historic Common Man Restaurant, just up the road. 

The Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway is a great way to see the foliage by train. Wind your way through White Mountain Cliffs and over trussels, rivers, and valleys. After the scenic ride, the restaurant shops and pubs in Conway Village are vibrant in the fall. 

Sandwich is located between Squam Lake and the forested foothills of the White Mountains. It lights up with spectacular foliage, surrounded by historic homes, artisans, and white picket fences. There are plenty of hiking trails and the Foothills Restaurant and Bar, rated five stars by Travel Advisor — great food, a beautiful, unique setting, and an outdoor patio. 

It doesn’t get any better than the U-shaped mountain range surrounding and cradling Waterville Valley. Enjoy lots of hiking trails and a good selection of eateries.

Drive the Lake Winnipesaukee loop by beginning your journey in Alton, follow Route 11 to Gilford, off to Weirs Beach, Meredith, Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Tuftonboro, and ending in Wolfeboro. The foliage is spectacular, with so much to see in the quaint lake towns and villages. For foodies, there’s a multitude of eateries, cafes, pubs, and fine restaurants to enjoy. The entire loop is approximately 63 miles. 

Lake Winnipesaukee Railroad from Meredith provides a different, vintage point of view. The fall colors and the diverse array of scenic views surround Lake Winnipesaukee. A ticket booth is located on the boardwalk at Weirs Beach. 

The Mt. Major trail is a moderate hike of 4.7 miles that takes about three hours to complete. With amazing views of the “Big Lake,” the trails and parking area are extremely crowded this time of year. The West Rattlesnake Mountain hike in West Sandwich is a short hike and great for children. It is only 0.7 miles and has magical views of Squam Lake and lots of open ledges and picnic areas.

The Mount Washington Boat provides narrated scenic cruises and is the best way to see the “Big Lake” and the islands as the fall colors explode throughout the villages and mountains beyond. 

Take a scenic chair lift ride, navigate the zip lines, enjoy spectacular views of Lake Winnipesaukee, and view the myriad of all the fall colors of the mountains beyond at Gunstock Mountain Resort.

Rocky Gorge Scenic Area on the Kancamagus Highway is rated 4.8 stars on Google with 1.3 million reviews. Indulge yourself in the great scenery, cascades, swimming holes, and trails around a pond with beautiful gorge and waterfall views along the Swift River. You will also want to visit Sabbaday Falls along the river and highway; there is so much to see. 

Artist Bluff in Franconia is at the entrance of Cannon Mountain. There is a scenic hike looking over Echo Lake and the Franconia Ridge Mountains, but it is very busy and crowded on weekends during the fall season. 

Lower Falls is rated 4.8 on Google. Visitors can enjoy waterfalls, potholes, major swimming holes, natural rockslides, and crystal-clear water.

Jackson Falls / Lower Jackson Falls Kancamagus offers beautiful cascading waterfalls. It is rated 4.8 on Google. Wonderful walking trails to the golf course along waterfalls. The foliage is spectacular. Jackson Village is gorgeous in the fall. 

Panoramic Overlook on the Kancamagus Highway is rated 4.8 on Google. It has amazing views overlooking majestic mountains. 

Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch is rated 4.8 on Google, with 6.8 million reviews.  It features waterfalls, a covered bridge, unique formations, and great trails.  

At the Basin, located in Franconia Notch, you will see well-maintained walking trails to view crystal clear waterfalls that flow into a 30-foot diameter basin, with 15-foot-deep pools created by the ice age. 

Franconia Notch State Park Aerial Tramway at the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is the first passenger Tramway in North America and offers the best views you will find in the Lafayette, Lincoln, and other majestic mountains, observation towers, and a walking trail at the top of the inspiring mountains. 

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This article was written by Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.