Fall Favorites in the Mt. Washington Valley

October 2020

For centuries, the White Mountains of New Hampshire have attracted leaf peepers seeking spectacular fall foliage. USA Today’s 10Best ranked the White Mountains in the top five of its top 2020 fall foliage destinations in their annual fall Readers' Choice Awards.

Plan your fall foliage vacation in the valley, and start here for resources on scenic drives, fall foliage tracker, fall hikes and more!

FALL FUN!

Creative ways to peep

the leaves

Photo c/o Northeast

Snowmobile & ATV

Pumpkin People

Photo c/o Wentworth Inn

Shopping

Photo c/0 White Birch Books

POST LABOR DAY FUN!

Wondering which attractions are still open?

Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park:

Open weekends through Columbus Day.

Mount Washington Auto Road: Open daily until October 25th.

Attitash Mountain: The Alpine Slide is open weekends throughout Fall.

White Lake Speedway: Open weekends throughout Fall.

Santa's Village: Open Saturday and Sunday throughout Fall.

Story Land: Closed for the season.

The Cog: Running daily until October 18th.

Conway Scenic Railroad: Open through mid-October. Bartlett and Conway Train running daily. Mountaineer Train running Tue. - Sat.

Bretton Woods: Open weekends through Columbus Day.

Read more here!

Photo c/o Cranmore Mountain.

ARE YOU TEAM PUMPKIN

OR TEAM APPLE?

Or do you go completely rogue and cast your vote for Team Maple?

Regardless of your preferred flavor profile, there are plenty of delicious options for all. Here's where you can get your own fix!

White Mountain Cupcakery: Self-proclaimed summer-time fans, they only start baking their delicious pumpkin and apple cupcakes starting October 1st. (Their mainstay Maple Bacon cupcakes are available Wed. & Thur.)

Weston's Farm: The coziest farm-stand you ever did see with home-made goodies from pies to cookies AND a wide selection of pumpkins, mums and fall decorations.

Coffee Shops: The valley is home to coffee lovers who know how to throw down a delicious pumpkin spice latte, hot chai, maple latte and more.

White Mt. Cider Company: They're pressing fresh cider and baking homemade cider donuts daily through fall!

Photo c/o Wiseguy Photography of Weston's Farm Stand.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

For a complete list of events, click here.

Schouler Park Craft Fair

October 3rd

Halloween Boo Bash at Settlers Green

October 23rd

Making Strides

Against Breast Cancer

"Rolling Pink" Rally

October 18th

FALL IN THE MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY IS MADE FOR GOLF!

Visit all ten premier golf courses, here.

The calendar still said summer but blustery skies one recent Sunday previewed the fall golf season in Mount Washington Valley. Hale’s Location Golf Course is located at the base of Cathedral Ledge, which loomed large as dramatic towering clouds battled for golfers’ attention.

While the course is scheduled to remain open through October 25, they are reporting the course is selling out daily. Call ahead to secure a tee time.

Just over the border in Maine, Bridgton Highlands also offered striking views (see what I did there) of Shawnee Peak (nee Pleasant Mountain) from its first tee on the last official day of summer. The front nine, which features a delightfully varied course layout. Rolling greens, grass bunkers, dog legs and many elevated tee boxes made the round fun and not punishing. Book online, here.

Both courses offered a preview of fall, the ultimate season to golf: free of black flies, mosquitos and the best greens conditions of the season.

Article and photos c/o Kathy Bennett

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SKI SEASON!

Our area mountains speak to SkiNH and weigh in on what to expect for the upcoming season.

While there will be changes, one thing remains the same: the love for skiing and the excitement to get back out on the mountain, no matter what.

Click for a complete listing of valley Alpine ski areas and Nordic Centers.

Photo c/o Bretton Woods.

WHAT IS TRAIL STEWARDSHIP?

The valley is a gateway to thousands of acres of national forest, miles of trails and stretch of the Saco River is what makes it such a treasure to those who visit and those who live here.

So what does it take to care for such a rich natural resource? Our friends at the Appalachian Mountain Club have written a blog series on such a topic, and area non-profits White Mountain Trail Collective; Saco River Ranger Station; Granite BackCountry Alliance; Tin Mountain Conservation Center and others are all providing support to the great outdoors through unique efforts.

You can do your part by respecting the trails and rivers and lakes by abiding by these seven "Leave No Trace" principles:

Plan ahead and prepare.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Dispose of waste properly.
Leave what you find.
Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire).
Respect wildlife.
Be considerate of other visitors.

Photo c/o Wiseguy Creative

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

For a complete list of events, click here.

Castle Car Show

October 3rd

Gondola Rides

at Bretton Woods

October 3, 4, 10, 11, 12

Halloween Party on the Songo River Queen

October 18th

HELP THE VALLEY STAY OPEN!

The valley is excited to welcome you to one of the best places on Earth!

Please help it stay open by respecting state and individual business mandates when it comes to wearing a mask and other COVID-19 protocols. And remember, we're all in this together, so be kind!