The Latest New Hampshire Fall Foliage Updates

(2008 photo of Concord, N.H., by Eric H.) Fall Foliage report source: New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism)

The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development just sent us an update on the latest fall foliage reports across New Hampshire. As could be expected, this is the time of the year when trees start to turn over an "old leaf," many transforming into bright colors. While we still have a ways to go to reach peak fall foliage in the "Granite State," areas like the Great North Woods, the Monadnock and Merrimack Valley regions and, surprisingly, the Seacoast Region have sectors of impressive colors, according to New Hampshire Travel and Tourism.

Regardless of level of fall foliage color, anytime is a great time to visit New Hampshire. Personally, we simply can't get enough of the pristine, small lake towns in the Lakes Region (Wolfeboro and Meredith, in particular), the rugged and scenic White Mountains, the charming coastline splendor of Portsmouth and Rye, the "Courier and Ives" communities of the Monadnock Region, and the classic New England Towns of Hollis, Amherst and Milford in the Merrimack Valley region. So, yes, fall foliage brings out a special element of New Hampshire. But even if the colors aren't brilliant, New Hampshire certainly is when it comes to scenic travel and vacation destinations!

We highly recommended calling the State of New Hampshire recorded fall foliage report hotline at 1-800-258-3608. For now, here is the latest report, thanks to the New Hampshire Divison of Travel and Tourism:

Great North Woods Region: The warm days and cool nights are pushing a little more color into the Great North Woods region, and the most color change is taking place along the banks of the Connecticut River, and on exposed trees that stand alone. Mountain views provide occasional reds and yellows among the green. Bull Moose and bald eagles were spotted this week near the Pontook Dam on Route 16 in Dummer. The area overall is less than 25% changed, but with a frost expected this weekend, that could change by next week. The Balsams is hosting the Grand Lumberjack Challenge on Saturday – watch the wood chips fly as lumberjacks compete in this one-day challenge where strength, skill and determination will decide who wins. For more information, please call 603-255-3122.

White Mountains Region: There hasn’t been much change in the foliage in the White Mountains region since Monday. The area remains mostly green with sprinkled oranges and reds along waterways and swamps. Some cold nights will push this area into colorful autumn glory soon. The weather is looking fine this weekend for a scenic drive; you can photograph waterfalls, walk across covered bridges, visit roadside farm stands, see panoramic views, and explore years of history in this part of the state, so take your time and enjoy these last traces of summer. Loon Mountain in Lincoln is the site of the 34th Annual Highland Games, the largest Scottish cultural festival in the northeast, from Friday through Sunday. For information, please call 1-800-358-7268.

Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region: The Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region remains draped in green right now, with just hints of color change in watery parts of the area. Some of the trees have that iced look that takes over before changing to bold orange and blazing red. Travelers may want to drive Route 4A, which runs along Mascoma Lake, and visit the Enfield Shaker Village Museum. Nature lovers will want to visit Rollins State Park and Mount Kearsarge State Forest this weekend. Take exit 8 off Route 89; follow Route 103 about one mile and turn right onto Kearsarge Mountain Road. Follow signs to the state park. This time of the year brings hawk migration, where thousands of broad-winged hawks can be seen flying over this small mountain. The upcoming cold nights should push some color into this region soon.

Lakes Region: A few more pockets of color have appeared in the Lakes Region this week, but overall this area is green. Route 25 toward Tamworth is a colorful ride, and Route 3 up through Weirs Beach, Meredith, and Holderness will be spectacular once the color strikes. For a real taste of New Hampshire’s fall-time heritage, a visit to the 134th Annual Rochester Fair is a must-do. This lively festival has livestock shows, motor sports, live entertainment, rides, tons of food, and lots of fair exhibits, including massive pumpkins and other prize-winning fruits and vegetables. Please visit www.rochesterfair.com for more information.

Monadnock Region: Low valleys and swamps are colored with vivid reds in the Monadnock Region of the state. Some developed color can be seen along Route 124, also. Our leaf peepers in this region tell us that Route 101 through Marlborough has the best overall color so far this season, and Route 202 south is showing some definite change. This “Currier and Ives” corner of the state has much to offer visitors, including quiet back roads, farm stands, apple orchards and country stores. The Stone Arch Bridges of Hillsborough are worth a trip to see – these marvels of yesteryear were constructed simply of stone blocks cut to fit perfectly without any mortar to keep them together. For information about these bridges, please visit www.hillsboroughnhchamber.com. The town of Antrim is holding a Home & Harvest Festival this weekend. Food, arts & crafts, children’s activities, music, and a pumpkin regatta will be featured, topped off by an awesome fireworks display on Saturday night. Please call 603-588-4835 for more information.

Merrimack Valley Region: More and more of the maples are starting to turn their familiar reds in the Merrimack Valley region. Peak colors of blazing reds and sunny yellows are alive in some bogs and meadows, while other swampy areas still have a way to go. Some of the tops of trees have turned bright orange, but the area overall is predominantly green. If you travel to this region during the weekend, you may want to attend the Hollis Old Home Days. This small-town gathering really demonstrates a slice of New Hampshire’s heritage. Enjoy music, a parade, rides, a barbecue, a dunk tank, crafts – even a pet parade – and more. Please visit www.hollisoldhomedays.org for more information.

Seacoast Region: The Seacoast region, usually the last to herald fall, is showing colors already! Our leaf peepers in this area are reporting beautiful reds and oranges along Route 27 from Hampton to Exeter, and vibrant red maples coming to life in the lowlands that surround the marshes. Route 88, a beautiful country road, is beginning to display some fiery reds and blazing oranges. Even the Spaulding Turnpike is coming alive with spotty reds and oranges here and there. Families will want to visit Portsmouth this weekend for the 5th annual Fairy House Tours. The tours are held Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm, starting at Pierce Island and meandering through various Portsmouth gardens and historic homes. Everyone is invited to bring natural materials to help build a Fairy House village. For more information, please visit www.fairyhouses.com.

Read More

New England Town of the Day: Meredith, NH

Article and Photo by Eric H.

The true testimony to a vacation destination is whether it would also make a great town to live. How many vacation destinations fit that bill, given so many travel spots have been ruined by phony, slick makeovers and overdevelopment that deplete the authenticity of a community?

Meredith, located on beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee at the foothills of the White Mountains, is a real community with its unspoiled scenic lake views, a nice old-fashioned downtown with several local shops and restaurants, a pleasant mix of well-kept new and old homes, places to walk by the lake, and an overall peaceful sense of place. Besides the established downtown section is the historic Mills Falls Marketplace, an early linen mill which was properly restored (translated: not tacky or pretentious!) to feature 19 unique specialty shops, galleries and restaurants -- and the charming The Inn at Mills Falls hotel. There's also the Annalee Outlet Store, at 50 Reservoir Rd., that should please those who love this line of dolls!

Meredith combines that classic New England small-town feel with lots of things to do, including swimming at Waukewan Town Beach, boating via access at Waukewan St., walking at the Waukewan Highland (three miles leading to a pond), and area winter skiing (Gunstock Mountain with 49 trails and eight lifts in nearby Gilford, NH), ice skating, snowshoeing, ice fishing, ice sailing, snowmobiling, sledding, and cross country skiing. Merdith's location is also ideal, close enough to all the attractions in the White Mountains. In addition, the nearby towns of Bristol, Center Harbor, Holderness, Moultonborough, Sandwich and Wolfeboro, are filled with small-town New England charm and countless lake views -- certainly worth a day trip diversion from Meredith. If you like a honky-tonk summer destination, Weirs Beach is close by and features amusement arcades and a public beach.

Charming inns (including) and several restaurants add more personality to this already wonderful community. Our favorite restaurant here is Hart's Turkey Farm, in business since 1954 -- an old-school, landmark dining spot for delicious turkey dinners.

Meredith just feels right, whether it's for a day trip, extended vacation or for those interested in moving to a beautiful New England small town. This special community certainly comes to mind when recommending to travelers a quintessential New England place to stay. There's plenty to do here, although I could just sit by the tranquil lake dock all day, do nothing, and be happy!

Visit the Meredith Chamber of Commerce Web Site for more information on Meredith.

Read More

New Hampshire Perspectives, Fall Foliage Updates, and Events

Photo of Wolfeboro, NH, by Eric H.

What better time to visit beautiful New Hampshire than during the fall foliage season?

The fall foliage in New England is as good as it gets, an added benefit to the inherently rugged, dramatic mountain ranges, the family-friendly traditional attractions and events, and the many lake towns that gently force you to relax. Mt. Washington affords the most amazing mountains views with its 6,288 ft. of rural splendor, but I also recommend the following communities:

Wolfeboro, for its quaint, active downtown and location on the quieter side of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Meredith for its extended lake walks and shopping at the Mill Falls Inn and Marketplace.

Hollis for its winding country roads, quintessentially quiet downtown village-like look, and pleasant farms that offer apple picking.

Keene for its Oct 25 Pumpkin Festival, one of the most vibrant small-town, downtowns in New England, and the academic look of Keene State College.

Peterborough for its artsy feel, the Peterborough Diner and presence near beautiful Mt. Monadnock -- great for hiking!

Milford for its circular-shaped village green and a great downtown that was honored by the National Trust For Historic Preservation's Main Street Center with their Great American Main Street Award in 2002.

Portsmouth for its scenic location on the Piscataqua River and great mix of historic buildings, waterfront restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and galleries and boutiques.

Bristol for being just a good all-around town that seems stuck in time near beautiful Newfound Lake and with nice mountain views.

To fully enjoy the greatness of New Hampshire, the folks at VisitNH.com have supplied us with the latest New Hampshire fall foliage updates, as well as upcoming events:

Great North Woods Region: Autumn has arrived in the Great North Woods region!
Cool, misty evenings and warm, sunny days have pushed extreme color into this northernmost area of the state. Western parts of the region are showing well-established colors, which may reach peak fall foliage by next weekend. Route 3 toward Colebrook is alive with plenty of deep reds, bold oranges, and a few pale yellows. Travelers on this road may see deer, moose, and wild turkeys. On the eastern side, reds and oranges are scattered everywhere, especially along the edge of the Androscoggin River. Their reflections in the calm water just increase the intensity of the color. The 9th Annual Northern Forest Lumberjack Festival takes place on Sunday at the Northern Forest Heritage Park in Berlin. This family event begins at 8am with a Lumberjack breakfast. Please call 603-752-7202 for more information.

White Mountains Region: Fall colors are everywhere in the White Mountains region.
Well-established foliage is reported in Waterville Valley, where the 19th Annual Chowderfest takes place on Saturday at the Town Square. For details, please call 603-236-8175. Areas along rivers and waterways are showing spectacular reds in all shades, from bright pink to deep cranberry. Mountainsides are beginning to burst into vibrant oranges, reds and yellows, mixing nicely with the remaining greens. Points north of Franconia Notch are reported to have an indescribable myriad of colors, with the following scenic drives showing brilliant foliage: Route 18 from Franconia Notch State Park to Littleton; and Route 142 from Interstate 93 to Route 116. The reds and oranges in the Mount Washington Valley are becoming more pronounced with each day, with the Presidential Mountain Range showing 25% color. The colors will be a nice backdrop for the 12th Annual Fall Festival and Scarecrow Contest, which takes place Saturday on Route 16 in North Conway. For more information on this free event, please call 603-356-7031.

Lakes Region: A lot has changed in the Lakes Region since Monday’s report. Red maples and golden ashes are scattered throughout the area, with some beautiful patches of orange and red showing up along the edge of Lake Winnipesaukee. Route 104 from New Hampton to Meredith brings the traveler past some colorful waterways. The top of the Ossipee Mountain range is a blend of beautiful autumn color. Scenic drives in this area are particularly beautiful because of the many ponds and lakes that reflect the fabulous colors. Route 28 north to Route 16 north to Route 25 east into Effingham is a beautiful drive. For those who prefer a hike, Knight’s Pond in East Alton is a favorite. Take Route 28 to Rines Road and go east to the Lakes Region Conservation sign for Knight’s Pond. Flaming red maples surround this natural area. Route 125 takes you to the New Hampshire Farm Museum, where folks will celebrate Apple Day on Saturday. Please call 603-652-7840 for more information.

Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region: Parts of the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region are approaching well-established conditions, with hillsides and mountain views resembling a vibrant patchwork quilt of color. Route 4 from Lebanon to Danbury takes you by frequent blocks of beautiful reds and oranges. Further south to the Sunapee Lake area, the leaves are about 25% changed, with red maples showing their brilliance against the evergreens and early yellows of the birch and witch hazel. Route 10 from Newport to Route 31 with a visit to Pillsbury State Park to Washington is a pleasant scenic drive.
Route 103 takes you to Mount Sunapee where you can take a chair lift ride to the top of the mountain to a 360-degree view of the fall colors. The foliage in the town of Warner is looking fine, and will provide a nice ambiance for the Harvest Moon Festival, which takes place on Saturday at the Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum. Please call 603-456-2600 for more information, or visit www.indianmuseum.org.

Monadnock Region: While some areas of the Monadnock region are showing brilliant reds and oranges, other parts are still in the just-beginning stages. Route 9 from Hillsborough to Spotford has lots of swampy and boggy areas that are bursting with color blasts of deep reds and hearty oranges, while Route 202 between Peterborough and Jaffrey is showing just spotty color. The south side of Mount Monadnock is in full color, while the north side is still pretty green. Route 101 from Keene to Peterborough is showing moderate color, with most of it surrounding Dublin Lake. There are lots of photo opportunities in this region if you know where to look. On Saturday, the 6th Annual Schnitzelfest takes place along Central Street and Butler Park in Hillsborough. For information on this ethnic seasonal event, please call 603-464-5858.

Merrimack Valley Region: The cool overnight temperatures have shot some serious color into portions of the Merrimack Valley Region. Trees along waterways and rivers are showing dazzling reds, along with occasional oranges. Open areas along fields and meadows are edged with colorful foliage, while tree trunks are wrapped in nearly red ivy vines. A suggested scenic drive would be Route 122 south from Amherst, past Silver Lake State Park to Hollis, to Route 130 west through Brookline, then north on Route 13. There are lots of orchards and farms throughout this region where you can choose that perfect pumpkin or pick your own apples. For a complete list, please visit our website at www.visitnh.gov. Go to Best Time to Visit; choose Harvest; and then Pick Your Own.

Seacoast Region: What can we say? The Seacoast region is always last to showcase fall foliage, and this year will be no different. Some color can be seen along Route 108 from Dover to Durham; Route 88 from Hampton Falls to Exeter is showing occasional bright reds with some yellows; and Route 9 from Somersworth to Madbury, especially around the reservoir, has some vibrant reds along the edges of the woods. Route 4 from Portsmouth to Nottingham is close to 50% changed, with frequent patches of bright red and orange trees. There is still a lot of green in this region, but when the color strikes, it will be magnificent. If you’ve never been inside a lighthouse before, now is your chance. The Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse on Route 1B in New Castle is holding an open house on Saturday from 1 to 5pm. Climbers can enjoy a panoramic view of the harbor and points beyond. Please call 603-436-3988 for more information on this fun and educational event.

For more information on New Hampshire travel and vacation ideas, log onto VisitNH.com

Read More