These Small Towns In New Hampshire Come Alive In Fall
New Hampshire, one of the New England states, nicknamed the Granite State, is among the ten smallest states in both land area and population. But New Hampshire becomes a giant when the calendar turns to autumn! The spectacular colors of its fall foliage are unmatched, the weather turns comfortably cool, and the state’s small towns celebrate the harvest season with a host of fall festivals and activities. While there is never a bad time of year to visit New Hampshire, put an autumn visit near the top of your bucket list.
Derry
Derry can get overlooked by travelers in comparison to its larger neighbors, Concord, Manchester, and Nashua, but locals know that it is a great year-round town that really shines in fall. Derry still carries elements of the Ulster-Scots (Northern Ireland) heritage of its founders in 1722, as well as its past as a shoemaking hub. But today’s Derry is best known for its beautiful location along Beaver Lake, with a pair of public beaches and numerous public parks and trails. In the fall, the Derry Police Department hosts weekly “Autumn Adventures,” which are 2-mile walks that highlight the lovely fall colors all over town. Nearby, J&F Farms also hosts a seasonal corn maze.
Dover
The town of Dover celebrates a big birthday in 2023, marking 400 years since its founding along the Cocheco River, which makes it the oldest town in New Hampshire and the seventh oldest in the United States. Modern Dover has earned a reputation as a great place to visit with children, primarily due to the New Hampshire Children’s Museum and its full range of interactive exhibits and activities. Check out the museum in early October so you can also attend Dover’s Apple Harvest Day, a fun downtown festival that includes an apple pie contest. Or, if you want to enjoy peak fall foliage viewing in the seacoast region (which includes Dover), visit during the second half of October.
Franconia
Franconia gained its name because of the area’s resemblance to a mountainous region in Bavaria, Germany. Nestled in the White Mountains of west-central New Hampshire, Franconia is surrounded by incomparable fall foliage on all sides, with the peak season happening around the second week of October. Check online for scenic driving routes through the White Mountains, or plan a fall foliage hike along popular trails in the area, like the mostly flat Lincoln Woods Trail (2.7 miles) or the more challenging Franconia Trail Loop (8.5 miles). Parts of the town are in Franconia State Park and White Mountain National Forest, and the Appalachian Trail passes through town, so the leaf-peeping options truly are endless!
Hanover
Hanover, located along the Connecticut River in the western part of the state, has been the home of Ivy League member Dartmouth College since 1769. The return of students for the new semester brings a jolt of energy to town each autumn, and Hanover often appears on “best college town” lists. Hanover is also well known for the ample outdoor recreation options both in town and in the surrounding area. For a spectacular fall foliage drive, go 30 miles west to Woodstock, Vermont, the starting and ending point of the Upper Connecticut River Valley Loop (search the name online for route directions). Hanover also holds its annual Fallfest in late September.
Laconia
Laconia is affectionately called the “City on the Lakes” due to its picturesque location between Lake Winnisquam and Lake Winnipesaukee. While the waterways feeding these lakes once powered Laconia’s textile mills, they now serve the town’s numerous parks, recreational trails, and public beaches. Stroll through these public areas in mid-October to experience peak fall foliage views. Or, book a trip on a Lake Winnipesaukee boat tour to do some leaf peeping from the water. While Laconia is well known for its annual Motorcycle Week (the oldest in the U.S.) each June, it also hosts the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival each year in late October.
Merrimack
The town of Merrimack, which shares its name with the river that passes by it, sits about halfway between the New Hampshire cities of Manchester and Nashua in the southern part of the state. Like Laconia, Merrimack has a charming downtown area that reflects its industrial past, but today, it is best known for its beautiful natural surroundings and outdoor recreation options. The Merrimack River Valley usually experiences peak fall colors in mid-to-late October, making it a perfect time to hike along the trails in Grater Woods and the Horse Hill Nature Preserve. Or, to enjoy fall foliage along with some possible Halloween spookiness, walk through Reed Cemetery, which has been in use for more than 250 years.
Rochester
The town of Rochester sits about 10 miles up the Cocheco River from another great autumn town, Dover, and has a similar peak fall foliage season in mid-to-late October. Enjoy the fall colors while strolling through Rochester’s historic downtown area, then check out the view from the Cocheco River by renting a kayak or canoe. If your travel plans bring you to the “Lilac City” of Rochester earlier in the fall, in mid-to-late September, plan to attend the annual Granite State Fair. This celebration includes carnival rides, a midway, livestock exhibits, a demolition derby, and tasty fair food. Even a small state like New Hampshire can have a great state fair!
With its rugged natural beauty and hardy, independent-minded residents, New Hampshire earns its nickname as the Granite State. But, especially when fall comes around, New Hampshire could just as easily be called the Autumn Leaf State. If you are looking for some world-class leaf peeping, especially combined with a nice hike in the woods or a canoe trip, and maybe a fun harvest festival or two, book your trip to New Hampshire at the first sign of fall!
