The Top Five Best New Hampshire Fall Foliage Sightseeing Drives

1. Head out on the weekdays. If you're planning out your trip, weekdays are far less crowded than the weekends. The hotel rates are also much cheaper.


2. Start early. Getting a headstart on the rest of the crowd will not only let you avoid crowds, but you'll see more. Besides, the foliage looks better earlier and later in the day.


3. Leave early. Get to New Hampshire before the traffic starts, which typically is Friday afternoon. The earlier you can get there, the less chance you'll sit in traffic.


4. Plan your trip to see the least crowded spots on the weekends. Then, plan to see the crowded places on the weekdays.


5. Stay close to the places you want to see most. New Hampshire is a small state, but destinations can still be hours apart. From the northermost part of the state to the southern border is still 6-7 hours drive!

Winding road on Mount Monadnock, NH

1. Driving here, you'll encounter of other drivers on the road. Try to avoid peak times if possible (weekends, especially Columbus Day weekend).


2. Bring a map. The highways are easy to navigate in New Hampshire, but the backroads aren't. You'll need a good map to see some of the best sights.


3. It gets cold at night. Daytime temperatures will probably be comfortable with a sweater, sweatshirt, or layered clothing, but at night, the temperature usually drops drastically. Expect frost, and if you plan on camping, bundle up especially!


4. Shops aren't open all day and night. Hours are usually 9-5 for most shops, and can sometimes be closed on Mondays (sometimes Tuesdays, too).


5. Gas stations are far apart. New Hampshire doesn't have any big cities. Most of the larger towns and cities are in the southern part of the state. The northern part of the state has no cities, and accomodations are clumped together in resort towns like North Conway and Lincoln.


6. One more thing: Rates are higher in the fall. Expect to pay more during this peak leaf peeping season! Book early to ensure your stay.

Covered bridge in Albany, NH.

Fall is when the northern New England states really come to life. While the winter months are filled with skiing and snow activities, fall is often the busiest season for events. Looking for some ideas on what to do? Here are some recommendations on what to do and how to find them...

1. Visit a local fall festival. Fall festival are abound in New Hampshire during September, October, and November. Just travel around and you'll find some, or plan your trip ahead of time by visiting this New Hampshire fall festivals page.


2. Take a trip up a mountain. Which ones? There's Mount Washington, there's the backroads of the Kancamagus Highway, and the famous granite peaks near Franconia Notch, to name a few.


3. Go for a hike. Remember to get out of the car! The scenery from your window might be beautiful, but a hike up a mountain, part of a mountain, beside a creek, or to a waterfall will be even more unforgettable.


4. Go apple picking. New Hampshire has plenty of apple orchards to choose from that are in peak during fall. Find some pick your own apple orchards here.


5. Visit a local farm. The local food is one of the best reasons to visit New Hampshire, especially when it's plentiful in the fall. Be sure to bring home some fresh pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, apples or eggplant.


6. Go on a hay ride. It's a different type of ride, and one that will give you beautiful views while sitting back and just relaxing.


7. Visit local shops and restaurants. New Hampshire's specialty isn't big chain stores or restaurants. Visit one of the local restaurants, small shops, cafes, and bookstores for some truly unique New England style food and merchandise.