Looking for excuses to get outside and see the best New Hampshire fall foliage? You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better place than Jackson NH, named among the top 25 spots in New England to view autumn leaves. Fall really is an incredible time of year to visit the White Mountains and stay at the Christmas Farm Inn & Spa. Forecasters expect a dazzling show as long as sunny days and cool nights continue. And with such a late start, we should see the glorious colors into late October this year.
Here are some of the ways you can explore the White Mountains’ fall foliage during the autumn months…
Take a Scenic Drive
The Christmas Farm Inn & Spa is just minutes from the Kancamangus Highway, which is a must for every traveler seeking a scenic drive. The “Kanc” runs for 37 miles through the winding beautiful White Mountains. Mount Washington Auto Road is another awe-inspiring attraction with changing scenery as you climb the roadway and enjoy amazing views for miles away. You’ll definitely want to record your adventure to share with your friends later.
Hit the Trails!
Lace up your walking shoes and hit the trails to get up close and personal with New England Fall. The beautiful rock slabs around Jackson Falls make for a relatively easy trek where cool water flows and pools, cascading down the creek bed speckled with brightly colored fallen leaves. The Route 16 Loop in Jackson Village takes you from the covered bridge to the river crossing. Wherever you decide to go, it’s good to remember a car isn’t critical to seeing a great show. The Christmas Farm Inn & Spa is conveniently located on 15 acres of wooded land within walking distance of the gorgeous Jackson Falls.
Ride a Train
You can hop on the Conway Scenic Railroad if you prefer to sit back and gaze out of a train car window. The local Kiwanis and Habitat for Humanity are holding a special excursion fundraiser, the Autumn Express, on Oct. 15th to benefit local families and children’s charities. You can also take the Cog railway to ascend Mt Washington. It’s a slow ride, but may be preferable to driving if you are afraid of heights. You can hop on the Conway Scenic Railroad if you prefer to sit back and gaze out of a train car window. The local Kiwanis and Habitat for Humanity are holding a special excursion fundraiser, the Autumn Express, on Oct. 15th to benefit local families and children’s charities.
Snap a Photo
Of all the subjects that make great material for a camera, taking pictures of the fall leaves is possibly the best. Professionals and amateurs alike can get great photos of mountainsides packed full of vibrant saturated colors. New Hampshire fall foliage is next level, so your Instagram feed will be the envy of your friends back home!
Go Shopping
You can pick up apples, gourds, or a pumpkin from the Hatch Orchard or drop by the Sherman Farm, where they have a corn “maize” for finding your way out. They have goats to pet, corn kernels to play in, and a “moo train” for youngsters. You don’t want to miss the Columbus Day Sidewalk Sale at Settler’s Green!
Reach for the Sky
Sometimes the best way to see the fall colors is to get on their level– up high. Again, you can go for Mount Washington or opt to look down from a Cannon Mountain Aerial Tram in Franconia, a helicopter ride, or a zipline from one of the area resorts. Enjoy the New Hampshire fall colors as you zip past them all while getting your adrenaline fix!
Engage in Family Fun for All Ages
This time of the year offers more than just scenic, leafy views at every turn. The entire month of October brings the great annual tradition, The Return of the Pumpkin People. Christmas Farm Inn & Spa is just one of the many local businesses that go to great effort to create entertaining displays out of pumpkins. As the recipient of top honors last year, the staff at Christmas Farm Inn & Spa are hard at work on this fall’s version. Self-guided tours make seeing these quirky and hilarious displays easy. Kids will love visiting local pumpkin patches and finding their way out of the Sherman Corn Maize while teens and adults enjoy experiencing a tinge of fear at the Ghoullog, the annual “haunted house” at Cranmore Mountain. It’s frightening how much fun you’ll have!
Check out some of our suggestions for things to do in Jackson here. No matter how you choose to usher in autumn, the Jackson area is teeming with activities and seasonal charm to make your fall trip to the White Mountains truly memorable!