The buzz around New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is that 2024 is going to deliver one of the most spectacular fall foliage displays in years. Predictions call for the area to see peak foliage displays of color from late September through mid October.
Yankee magazine dropped its 2024 national fall foliage forecast recently with specific predictions for another bold, bright, and colorful autumn in New England.
According to Yankee’s foliage expert and meteorologist Jim Salge, the six-state New England region is “primed for a big show” after a good growing season this year with minimal impact from droughts, overwatering, insects, and fungus. “Colors should be bright, and trending toward a redder year if abundant sunshine allows,” reported Salge.
While viewing the colors of fall is typically achieved by driving along roadways that cut through densely wooded areas like The Kanc and the State’s notches, leaf peepers who immerse themselves in the landscape through experiences and activities, can enhance their foliage encounters.
Many New Hampshire farms offer quintessential autumn experiences. The scent of crisp red apples and cider fills the air, pumpkin patches illuminate landscapes, wooded hiking trails lead to scenic splendor, and old-fashioned hayrides offer a front-row view of it all. Here are a few farms to visit near Gunstock Mountain Resort:
Beans & Greens Farm, Gilford
This year-round farm provides hayrides, a mini zipline, petting zoo, onsite biergarten, corn maze and more during the fall.
Smith Orchard, Belmont
A pick-your-own apple orchard that offers trailer rides through their 800-tree orchard, apple cider, cider donuts, and more.
Ramblin Vewe Farm, Gilford
Offers hayrides during select autumn events along with pumpkin picking and woodland trails.
Another way to get up-close-and-personal with the color of fall is to visit Gunstock Mountain Resort’s summer and fall activities including an Adventure Park, open every Saturday and Sunday through October.
On the softer side of adventure there’s a scenic chairlift ride on the Panorama Quad. Each chair is like a flying park bench that accommodates a maximum of four passengers. The chair, equipped with a safety restraining bar, is securely fixed to an overhead cable for a smooth ride to the mountain top. At the summit, guests can explore on their own, enjoy amazing views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the beautiful White Mountains beyond, then hike down or make the return trip on the lift whenever they like. Gunstock’s scenic chairlift ride offers a distinctive and memorable outdoor experience for every visitor.
Also ranking among the resort’s tamer adventures, Gunstock’s Mountain Coaster is a roller-coaster-like experience on an open toboggan that can accommodate a single passenger or two riders. Anticipation builds as the cart climbs uphill, and eventually yields to gravity for an exciting ride through a hardwood forest along curves and bank turns that follow the mountain’s natural contours. The rails flow down steep sections in combination with twisters and camelbacks. Independent speed control by operating the brake lever allows the driver to determine their own rate of speed throughout the descent.
For greater thrills, Gunstocks’ popular ZipTour and Aerial Treetop Adventure fit the bill. Visitors soar above the trees from peak to peak, and peak to base, traveling over a combined 1.6 miles on one of the longest zipline tours in the continental United States. This 90-minute excursion is a thrilling flight above the treetops with an adrenaline rush. Participants can control their speed using a brake or let it rip and approach a speed of 70 mph.
Constructed among the trees, Gunstock’s Aerial Treetop Adventure is New England's largest aerial obstacle course. A total of 81 varied challenges are securely suspended within the trees in eight high ropes courses, including an Explorer Course just for kids. Some examples of the features include log ladders, swinging bridges, seesaws, and, of course, ziplines. Participants are fitted with safety harnesses and provided with belay system training at the start of their treetop quest.
When searching for refreshment between adventures, guests can select the new full-service Barrel Bar & Grille or The Snack Shack for quick grab-and-go options.