Fall in New Hampshire is so much more than just flannel shirts and leaf peeping. It’s when the state’s lush landscapes come to life with vivid color, illuminating a fiery passion for the season and all its traditions. Make the most of autumn with these classic experiences that are pure Granite State magic. 

Pick your own

With dozens upon dozens of beautiful apple orchards in the state, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect spot to harvest your share of autumn apples. These days, farms don’t just stop at the produce; many offer festivals, classic hayrides, freshly made apple cider donuts, and even pumpkin-picking all season-long to complete the experience. Plus, when a state is home to one of the nation’s oldest apple orchards — you know their apples are elite.

Corn mazes

What would fall be without challenging yourself to a corn maze with the crew? Farms all across the state put months of planning, plowing, and creativity into their corn mazes each year. With varying levels of size, difficulty, length, and unique themes for each, there are plenty of options to suit your needs. Some farms even go all out — carving their corn maze into intricate designs that can be seen from a bird’s eye view like the ones at Coppal House Farm in Lee or Sherman Farm in East Conway.

Fall hayrides

New Hampshire farms are at the heart of each fall in the Granite State. The scent of their crisp red apples and cider fills the air, pumpkin patches light up landscapes, and old-fashioned hayrides offer a front-row view of it all. Check out local farms like Collins Farm and Appleview Orchards for hayrides, tractor rides, and other fun fall activities all season long. 

Train rides

All aboard! New Hampshire is famous for its astounding autumn train rides that cut through some of the state’s most impressive landscapes. And in the fall? The views are simply breathtaking. Imagine riding up the steep slopes of the tallest peak in the northeast on the famous Cog Railway just to see the state cloaked in a fiery blaze of color. Or think about rounding the state’s largest lake on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad to capture the contrast of bold foliage against royal blue waters. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

Visit a winery

For the 21+ crowd, fall is the perfect time to visit a local winery or vineyard. Between fruit wines, delicious ciders, and meads paired with a backdrop of beautiful foliage — there’s no better time of year to visit. New Hampshire is home to over 30 breweries across its seven regions, so there is no shortage of tasting rooms, patios, and wineries to explore during the season.

Fall festivals

Some of New Hampshire’s oldest festivals date back over 150 years, which means its traditions have deep roots. Today, dozens of annual events take place all over the state, dedicated entirely to fall activities like apple picking, beer tasting, pumpkin carving, and the star of the season: the leaves themselves. With so many options, there are boundless ways to celebrate the season. Be sure to check out Visit NH’s events calendar to stay up to date on activities happening in the state this season.  

Then, all that’s left to do is map out your plans and hit the road for unforgettable fall adventures.