Spooooooky Autumn family fun!

Grab the family and take an amazing autumn drive to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire! There’s plenty to do for all ages, and the Lakes Region Chamber can help you get there. Explore comecatchtheglow.com and find the best places to spend the afternoon, evening or even the whole weekend! Looking to take it all in? Check out our itineraries and get the most out of your time in the Lakes Region!

With our warm hospitality, and remarkable scenery… Autumn is a GREAT time to explore the bounty and beauty only found in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire!

• Go explore one of our local farms, orchards or corn mazes!
• Grab a bite at one of the outstanding bakeries, cafes and restaurants using farm-fresh harvest ingredients!
  
• Knock out your holiday shopping at our many botiques, outlets, galleries and craft fairs!
  

Need a reason (other than the amazing foliage) to make it a weekend getaway? Check out our events calendar and plan your trip around something truly spectacular! 

Amazing Fall Foliage Viewing Spots

Looking for a great opportunity to catch the AMAZING foliage in the Lakes Region? Here are some great places to Catch the Autumn GLOW!

There’s nothing like taking in the fall foliage from up on high. So, lace up your boots and get some exercise as you enjoy the vibrant colors on a Lakes Region trail. Mount Major in Alton is a popular trek that offers stunning views from the summit just two and a half miles from the parking lot off Route 11. Because it’s so spectacular, it is often spectacularly crowded, with a full to overflowing parking lot.

Piper Mountain is a quieter alternative, fun for its summit’s Flintstone-like furniture made from granite stones. The view of the foliage and nearby peaks will be great in the fall, but don’t expect a grand view of  the lakes here—just little peeks on this peak.

Belknap Mountain’s woodsy trails are peaceful, and you’ll enjoy a panoramic view from the fire tower at  the top. Learn more about the Belknap Range trails at belknaprangetrails.org.

The Castle in the Clouds property, maintained by the Lakes Region Conservation Trust, covers over 5,500  acres and offers views of waterfalls and the Ossipee Mountains. There are 28 miles of trails and old carriage  roads that the Conservation Trust makes available to the public. The Brook Trail offers views of seven waterfalls. For more difficulty, consider the two-and-a-half-mile Mount Roberts climb, or hike five miles to the Mount Shaw summit —  at 2,990 feet, the highest point in the Lakes Region.
Learn more about the Castle in the Clouds trail system at https://www.castleintheclouds.org/things-to-do/
hiking-walking-trails/.

Keep an eye on NH.gov’s foliage tracker to catch peak viewing conditions!

Fall foliage drives in New Hampshire

Via: VisitNewEngland.com

Find vistas across majestic mountains and sprawling lakes!

New Hampshire is northern and partly mountainous, so it will begin showing off its fall colors in late September. NH state map. An obvious choice for scenic fall drives is the White Mountains, including the magnificent Kancamagus Highway from North Conway to Lincoln. Wonderful forests and brilliant color also will be showing farther north, near Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch state parks, and the Great North Woods between Colebrook and Dixville Notch. The western mountains toward Lebanon and Hanover, and central lakes region also offer great beauty. New Hampshire foliage drives page.

WHITE MOUNTAINS REGION

Pinkham Notch Loop – This loop encircles the peak of Mount Washington and touches on town names that evoke rugged outdoor sports: Jackson, Gorham, Bartlett and others. Travelers will see spectacular views of the Presidential Mountains. Jackson is a lovely village for dining and shopping, and the center of town is like a stage for the beautiful and Jackson Covered Bridge.  A good side trip is a drive up the Mount Washington Auto Road, presenting one of New England’s most spectacular mountain vistas.  Route map.

LAKES REGION

Lake Winnipesaukee Loop – This very large lake, surrounded by hills, offers beautiful views across the water from vantage points in the towns of Laconia, Wolfeboro, and Moultonborough. This area is a major summer vacation resort, so there is lots of shopping and dining. Depending upon how late in the fall you arrive here, you could be lucky enough to tour Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, a 1920’s-era Craftsman-style mansion high in the mountains, or to take a sunset cruise with Mount Washington Cruises  from Weirs Beach. Route map.

DARTMOUTH LAKE SUNAPEE REGION

Connecticut River near Lebanon Loop – The western side of this loop skirts the Connecticut River, the state border with Vermont, giving travelers a chance to skip across to the Green Mountain State for a stop at White River Junction or Norwich. On the New Hampshire side, enjoy a stop at Hanover, home of Dartmouth College (good burgers and bookstores). Consider stopping and stretching your legs on a walk along the Northern Recreational Rail Trail, which touches upon Lebanon and Enfield and Canaan, all part of the drive route. Enjoy views of the authentic Packard Hill (covered) Bridge in Lebanon.
Route map.

MONADNOCK REGION

Mount Monadnock Loop — The 3,165-foot-tall Mount Monadnock is the centerpiece of this trip. Monadnock State Park has excellent public services and many hiking trails that are accessible and enjoyable even to averagely fit climbers. A nice stop is at Stonewall Farm in Keene, offering farm tours, animals visits, and a farm store. Mountain biking and cross country skiing trails are open in season. Route map.

Santa’s Village Trick or Treating

If you’ve been wondering about Halloween festivities at Santa’s Village, this post is for you! This year, Merry Trick-or-Treat is back! Every weekend in October (Saturdays and Sundays ) we’ll offer trick-or-treating throughout the park, the option to wear your costume, and some festive Halloween decor to complete your visit. Tickets must be purchased online in advance and will become available exactly one week prior to your planned visit date. Season pass holders, you’re welcome to join us without a reservation any date!

https://www.santasvillage.com/

Tickets are limited each day and are available online only, beginning one week prior to the planned visit date.

Castle in the Clouds Graveyard Tour 

Calling all who enjoy the cozy, spooky feeling that comes with autumn in New England. Get in the Halloween spirit and join us on a walk around the property to view the remnants of cemeteries from long ago! We’ll also view the accompanying cellar holes, discussing the families that lived here and the funerary traditions for each appropriate time period.

This walk is $10 per participant and pre-registration is required. Capacity is limited!

Please note that the walk will cover approximately two miles and include a slight incline at times.

 To Register – https://www.castleintheclouds.org/event/cemetery-walk-2020-10-14/2021-10-12/