Concord, NH – the best kept secret in fall foliage!

Concord, the foliage capital of New Hampshire? You bet! As you make your foliage sojourns through the Granite State, NH, take a break from artificial apple and pumpkin-flavored foods and stop in Concord, to sample tastes from cultures all around the world.

Concord, the foliage capital of New Hampshire? You bet! As you make your foliage sojourns through the Granite State, NH, take a break from artificial apple and pumpkin-flavored foods and stop in Concord, to sample tastes from cultures all around the world.

Here are a few tips for enjoying New Hampshire's fall colors in the right place, at the right time, and by getting out of your car and into nature. New Hampshire’s fall colors are an annual topic of debate. Some say that too much sun--or is it too much rain?--will dull the colors. State officials then offer opinions to the contrary. Truth be known, it's really kind of a mystery, with Mother Nature calling all the shots.

This capital city is surrounded by local farms that offer all kinds of fall fun – and lots of local pumpkins. The spirit of fall is at home in the Concord area –with big pumpkins shining in the crisp fall air. It is fun for kids to pick a pumpkin, get some apples, have fresh cider and doughnuts- and take in the fall colors.

Pumpkins are native to North America. The name pumpkin came from Greek -- "large melon" or "pepon." American colonists just called it a “pumpkin."

Native American Indians ate pumpkins and dried them to weave into mats. Early European settlers used them in desserts and stews. The first pumpkin pie started with a carved out pumpkin filled with milk, spices and honey and baked in ashes.

The spirit of fall is at home in the Concord area –with big pumpkins shining in the crisp fall air. It is fun for kids to pick a pumpkin, get some apples, have fresh cider and doughnuts- and take in eh the fall colors.

Ride a gondola. Follow a llama. Launch a canoe. Board a touring cruise boat. Straddle a bike. Saddle a horse. Or gather the whole family and hoof it. There’s almost as many ways to view fall foliage in New Hampshire as there are trees. Take those trees, mix in some covered bridges, mountains, lakes, rivers, and one ocean, and you’ve got the perfect backdrop for a fall foliage tour.

New Hampshire’s foliage season runs roughly from mid-September to mid-October, but this varies widely depending on weather, topography and geography. Even as early as late August, the swamp maples surrounding some ponds and lakes may turn a fiery red, and the deciduous trees of northern New Hampshire may begin their transformation. Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend is often the focal point of fall foliage excursions, but travelers should plan ahead and arrive early to avoid crowds and get the pick of lodgings. 

No need to hurry: These leaves hang around a long while. Make it a full weekend with a visit to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch to pick your own, or visit a historical landmark or museum. Leaf-peeping by car is easy with New Hampshire’s 14 officially designated scenic drives, covering some 900 miles. (Order a free scenic drive guide below.) Take a 10-mile drive if you have an hour, or follow a 97-mile route over a weekend. Any route is bound to be beautiful- meander at will.

Remember that every corner of the state has scenic views. Use the information below to pick your favorite trail.

But, as the locals say, “Those leaves gotta come down some way or the other.” Want to save time and avoid crowds – then skip those “foliage tours” touted on websites and try these tips from the locals: New Hampshire’s foliage season runs roughly from mid-September to mid-October, but this varies widely depending on weather, topography and geography. Even as early as late August, the swamp maples surrounding some ponds and lakes may turn a fiery red, and the deciduous trees of northern New Hampshire may already begin their transformation. 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Weekend is often the focal point of fall foliage excursions, but the White Mountains can tend to have earlier colors. Whatever the year, there's no need to hurry. The leaves hang around a long time. Travelers can make a full weekend of it by visiting local apple orchards or pumpkins patches--there are plenty around--and picking their own bushels of each. There are also plenty of historical landmarks and museums to capture your interest and to learn more about the beautiful scenery you'll be passing through.

One special place to enjoy the foliage show is Lake Winnipesaukee. It's hard to see foliage while you're driving, so why not take a cruise on the M/S Mount Washington and let the captains do the driving. The big lake has amazing color and the juxtaposition of the water and sky can be breathtaking. The M/S Mount Washington is a 230-foot vessel offering scenic cruises during the day and upscale evening dinner and dance cruises. When the color has gone from the mountains, it still lingers on the shores of the lake. Another water-borne way to see the foliage is in a kayak on a river or lake.