Enjoy the Natural Beauty of New Hampshire at the Peak of Foliage Season

Cool, crisp sunny days, the sight and sound of Canadian geese flying overhead, sunlight seemingly emanating from within the bright yellows and reds of abundant foliage-many native New Hampshire natives consider fall to be the best time of year.

Thousands of visitors a year agree; the state's highways and country roads are filled with tourists gazing at the fall display and visiting small farms that open their doors during harvest season, so customers can pick their own apples, buy home-pressed apple cider by the gallon, and indulge in warm, freshly made doughnuts. The countryside is dotted with Bed and Breakfasts, the perfect stopover for an extended fall tour, and events including country fairs and harvest festivals provide a fun break from road trips.

The foliage season, which extends across the months of September and October, begins in the north in Coos County and sweeps south, peaking at its latest in the southern counties bordering Massachusetts and along the coast. An online foliage report gives predictions of all the stages of color in each region of the state, from the very first glimmerings of color to peak foliage, to the end sometime in late October.

Some tourists may only have time for a day trip, while others are lucky enough to be able to spend a long weekend or even a week in the state; either way, they get to experience New Hampshire at its very best.