Everyone flocks to NH in the Fall. Living here on Lake Winnipesaukee I enjoy hiking, pumpkins, food, and sites of Autumn. Personally, winter is one of my favorite times to be in the NH Lakes Region. Can you imagine living in the NH Lakes Region
year-round? This fall has had the
longest most beautiful foliage season.
It is so wonderful to drive through colorful tree tunnels and see the
mountains in the distance alight in autumn colors. If you lived here you could enjoy all four
seasons with lake and mountain adventures and views.
Here are some of my favorite places in the fall:
Laconia and Weirs beach are home to the Laconia Pumpkin Festival on Oct 25, 2025, the Haunted Winnipesaukee Cruise on the MS Mount Washington, and daily scenic railroad rides along Lake Winnipesaukee. In downtown Laconia you can also ride the Granite State Railway on the track along Lake Winnisquam.
https://www.laconiapumpkinfestival.com/
https://gsscenic.com/winnipesaukee-scenic-railroad/
Gilford has a lot going at farms and up at Gunstock Resort. You can visit the corn maze, go on a hay ride, or watch live music at the Notch Biergarten at Beans and Greens. Attend the Spooky Story Walk put on by the Gilford Library on Oct 24. Head up to Gunstock and zipline above the trees, ride the mountain coaster, or take a scenic chairlift tour to view fall foliage over Lake Winnipesaukee and the mountains beyond from the summit.
https://www.beansandgreensfarm.com/
https://www.gunstock.com/summer/adventure-park/
In Alton, hiking Mount Major this time of year is a great way to see the foliage over Rattlesnake Island on Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains beyond. The main trail up Mount Major was recently renovation by the Society for the Protection of NH Forests.
https://www.forestsociety.org/property/mount-major-reservation
Wolfeboro has a Halloween Skate at Pop Whalen Ice Arena on Oct 24th and a Masquerade Ball at the Wolfeboro Inn on Oct 31st. You can always pick up an ice cream treat at The Yum Yum Shop. The Cotton Valley Rail Trail is a great place to ride or walk to see the autumn colors along Lake Wentworth.
https://www.wolfeboroinn.com/adventures
https://cottonvalleyrailtrail.org/
Tuftonboro features the Abenaki Tower with amazing views of Lake Winnipesaukee (closed in Winter) or stop by the Pier 19 Country Store for a quick sandwich and sit looking out at the lake across 19 mile bay.
Moultonborough is the home of Castle in the Clouds with hiking, Graveyard Tours through the end of October or lunch and a tour of the Lucknow Castle.
https://www.castleintheclouds.org/
Center Harbor is the site of one of my favorite restaurants in the area - Gusto Italian Cafe for sandwiches/soups/pastries at lunch time or fine dining in the evening.
https://www.squamlakesartisans.com/
Meredith Police Association run a Halloween Candy Drive during the month of October leading to Trick or Treat on Main & Waukewan Streets on Oct 31st. Visit Moulton Farm to go on a hay ride, get lost in the corn maze, visit the store with amazing baked goods and produce, or view the Ossipee Mountains in full Fall foliage. Stop by the Mello Mouse Coffee House to see one of the scare crows on the Meredith Scarecrow Stroll. Take take a short hike in Waukewan Heights, a series of trails on conservation land surrounding a reservoir, or Page Pond. Both these areas are maintained by the Greater Meredith Program.