Crisp air, cozy sweaters, flaming foliage, warm spices galore —ah, that time of year again. I don't know about you, but I adore autumn. And where is there a better place to enjoy it than New England? I may be partial, but I say, "Nowhere". The numbers don't lie: in 2023, just in New Hampshire alone, 3.6 million leaf-peepers flocked to see the brilliant foliage, and new England as a whole saw about 10 million!
Besides the colorful landscape, there's so much more that fall has to offer. Orchards brim with juicy apples, fair grounds buzz with activity, and coffee shops stock up on pumpkin spice specials. With an endless list of possibilities in just a few short months, how can you possibility know what to prioritize?
To help with this dilemma, I've compiled the top fall to-dos in Dover and its surrounding areas. Enjoy!
Events
The Granite State Fair in Rochester, NH, on September 12-15 and 19-22. What's fall without a fair? Although the first dates are behind us, you can still enjoy the second half! Enjoy carnival rides, delicious food, handmade crafts, animals galore, and even a circus!
40th Annual Apple Harvest Day in Dover, on October 5. Right down the road from our office, this street festival is sure to be a blast! With over 300 vendors spanning eight blocks of downtown Dover, multiple stages, and two separate food courts, this festival has become one of the most popular in the region. Last year, it brought in 50,000 people! This year, will you be one of them?
Fall Fest at Hackmatack Farms in Berwick, ME, on October 12. Enjoy a day on the farm! You can look forward to live music, a ton of local food vendors, bouncy houses for the kids, a craft fair, and a tour of the farm! Beyond sheep and chickens, you'll even be able to see American Buffalos. It's $20 per car to get in, so call up that friend who has a minivan and come on over!
Harvestfest in York, ME, on October 19. Want a combination of the summery ocean vibes of Short Sands with the autumnal feel of a community festival? That's exactly what you'll experience at York's annual Harvestfest. Vendors, food, horse-drawn carriage rides around the village — what's not to love? I've been able to go many times in the past, and always have fun. I'm sure you would, too!
Towns
Portsmouth. If you're a client of Eric's, you're more likely than not familiar with this port city. I've found, though, that sometimes when you live near an area, you don't always appreciate it the way visitors would! Why not be a tourist for a day, and see what new things you can find? For example, you could explore the downtown shops, restaurants, and cafes, while slowing down to appreciate the unique, historic architecture Portsmouth has to offer. One of my personal favorite options is a shop called Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade retailer that sells handmade items from around the world. It not only features unique and quality home décor, jewelry, accessories, and gifts, but also provides opportunities for skilled artisans to share their work with the world, which they wouldn't have had the ability to do in their home country. From a circuit board keepsake box made in India to a double-sided ring from Peru, they've got the most unique and special items I've ever seen.
Another idea is to visit Portsmouth's historical sites and learn more about the rich history of the area. Historical New England is an excellent resource to find homes to tour, such as the Rundlet-May House, which I was able to visit this past spring. With as much as possible of the original decorations and furniture kept, it was like going back in time. And since these historical homes belonged to the super wealthy of the past, you can bet that they're located in prime locations, even waterfronts!
North Conway. Who doesn't love this gem of a town nestled in the White Mountains? I'm a bit biased, though; it's become a tradition for me to get a rental with friends and family and spend a long weekend there in the fall. There's less than a month until this year's trip, yay!
What specifically is there to love about North Conway? For one thing, the views. You can hike or drive up to the top of Cathedral's Ledge, where you'll be able to take in the breathtaking view overlooking the Saco River Valley and the White Mountains. This is a must on your itinerary if you visit North Conway!
Another reason to love North Conway is the abundance of shopping options. If you're looking for a deal, head to Settlers Green, an outlet store shopping center. Free of tax! As for me, I prefer the cozy downtown area, featuring small shops, cafes, and the famous Conway Scenic Railroad. A crowd-favorite is Zeb's General Store, a nostalgic shop with locally sourced goods, an old-fashioned candy counter, and antique displays. For a snack, you can walk over to Frontside, a coffee shop and bakery right down the road. They even have gluten-free options, which my travelling companions with allergies insist on having again for this year's trip!
There's so much more to mention about North Conway, but I'll have to leave it there for now. Stay tuned, though — in the near future I'll be posting a guide to all things North Conway, based on my own experiences.
Kittery. Right across the Piscataqua, this buzzing coastal town brings in millions during its summer season. Does that mean the fun has to end when we cross into September? Not at all! Kittery is arguably even nicer when the temps are cooler and the Outlets are quieter (although if you really want quiet, wait until January!). Most people know Kittery for their discounted shopping options, but it has so much more to offer. For example, did you know Kittery has a downtown? It's small, but mighty, with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as Kittery's public library, featuring architecture from the late 1800s. Located in downtown Kittery is a café called Lil's, creator of the best crullers and almond croissants you'll ever taste (in my biased opinion). You won't be disappointed!
Kittery also has rich historical significance to appreciate. It's home to two forts from the turn of the 20th century, Fort Foster and Fort McClary. Both have become historical landmarks, and Fort Foster especially has become a popular destination, thanks to its beaches, trails, and pier.
Places
Applecrest Farm in Hampton Falls, NH. Holding the title of New Hampshire's oldest and largest apple orchard, Applecrest continues to be a popular destination for all things autumn. They offer PYO apples, raspberries, flowers, herbs, and pumpkins, as well as a corn maze, a sunflower trail, and even apple cider donuts! As if all of that wasn't enough, during the weekends of September and October, they host their annual Harvest Festival, adding to the festivities hay rides, ice cream, a petting zoo, live music, and face painting. Believe it or not, admission to these festivals is entirely free!
Pawtuckaway State Park in Nottingham, NH. This is a one-stop shop to all things nature related. Lake access, check. Wildlife sightings, check. Hiking, check. Rock climbing, check. Fishing, check. Camping, check. Glacial erratics, check. Wait — what? Yep, this state park is even home to it's own Boulder Field, where giant boulders (called glacial erratics) were deposited by glaciers during the last Ice Age. Pretty cool, I'd say.
Kancamagus Highway. This is on my to-do list! Everyone talks about how beautiful it is. 34.5 miles long, the scenic drive stretches from Conway to Lincoln. There are multiple pull-off areas to take in the views, and campgrounds to stay if you'd like to soak it in for longer than a day. There are no restrooms, stores, gas stations, or bathrooms along this route, so it's a good idea to make any needed stops before hitting "the Kanc". I'm hoping to drive at least a portion of this scenic route during this year's trip to North Conway.
Vernon Family Farm. Located in Newfield, NH, this family-run farm draws locals and visitors alike throughout the year. They have a small farm store packed with locally-sourced goods, including their own chicken, grass-fed beef, pork, and even pet food. The owners are a couple named Jeremiah and Nicole, who are raising their three daughters as well as running this thriving and sustainable business. To add to the fun, the farm hosts live music events, and have a full menu of food and drinks to enjoy. This is yet another wonderful gem of our area that I would love to visit.
Activities
Cog Railway. Save your brakes and your legs; no need to drive or hike up Mount Washington when you can let the train do all the work for you! The Cog Railway has a variety of different trips available that can take you either all the way up to the top of Mount Washington, or to smaller summits partway. From September 28 to October 14, there is a special trip available for foliage viewing, which is less costly, shorter, and takes you partway up the mountain to the Waumbek Station. Many reviews say that this is an unforgettable experience!
Foliage Boat Trips. If the calm rocking of a boat is more your cup of tea than a steep train ride, then perhaps a foliage cruise is for you. One great option in our area are the Portsmouth Harbor Cruises. Specially for this time of year, they have a boat ride that takes you either through the Great Bay or the Cocheco River, depending on tides. It’s the most popular Fall Foliage cruise, and for good reason!
Another option is to take a ride on the larger M/S Mount Washington, a 230-foot excursion ship that travels across Lake Winnipesaukee. You can catch it in Laconia, Wolfeboro, and Alton Bay. No matter what you go with, you can sit back, relax, and take in the breathtaking views!
Camping. With the sweltering summer heat behind us, a sharp decrease in the insect population, and gorgeous views galore, autumn is arguably the best time for packing up your RV and heading out to a campsite. Most sites in the area stay open until mid-to-late October, and range from rustic and simple, like Ayers Lake Farm in Barrington, NH, to teeming with activities and amenities, like the Lazy Frog Campground in Lebanon, ME, or the Beaver Dam Campground in Berwick, ME. If you'd like to experience camping without needing to own all the suppllies, there are even campsites on Airbnb, such as this option in Eliot, ME that offers a secluded location and hiking on site, or this one in Francestown, NH, located on a horse farm with a gorgeous view for stargazing. From tents to RVs to yurts, Airbnb has it all.
Of course, as lovely as it is to enjoy camping amid nature in the fall, it also comes with challenges: colder temperatures and a higher chance of rain. This guide lists forty-five tips to help you have a warm, dry, and enjoyable autumn camping trip!
How Did I Do?
This was by no means an exhaustive list, but I tried to select the events, places, and activities that would be most enjoyable and festive. If you end up doing anything mentioned here, we'd love to hear about it the next time you come into the office! Until then, have a great fall.