Leaf Peeping in New England (2)
[Leaf peeping is an informal term in the United States and Canada for the activity in which people travel to view and photograph the fall foliage in areas where leaves change colours in autumn, particularly in northern New England]
When I was teaching it meant holidays could only be taken during the school holidays when it was more expensive and busy. And I couldn’t tag on to the OH’s conferences either. Which is why during one October half term we decided to do a fly drive holiday to the eastern side of the USA and do a spot of leaf peeping.
Collecting our hire car (a very nice black Buick) from Boston’s Logan International airport we headed north to the White Mountains in New Hampshire following the I93 as far as Franconia where we turned off onto the Daniel Webster Highway (3) before joining the 302 east to Bretton Woods where we were staying for a few nights at the Mount Washington Hotel resort. (3 hour drive without stops)
We didn’t stay at the hotel itself though we did go up to have a look around and enjoy a cocktail sitting on the balcony looking at the amazing views.
Conceived by New Hampshire native Joseph Stickney, the Mount Washington Hotel opened its doors in 1902 and immediately became one of New England’s premier resorts. The hotel welcomed guests from Boston, New York and beyond, and many families would stay for the entire summer with an entourage of staff and extended family, enjoying a respite from busy city life. It was designed by Charles Alling Gifford. In 1944, it hosted the Bretton Woods Conference, which established the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. In December 2015, the hotel and the Bretton Woods Mountain Resort were purchased by Omni Mount Washington LLC
source: Wikipedia
Just off Rte. 302 in Bretton Woods is the Mt. Washington Cog Railway (base road entrance 27.8), the world’s very first mountain climbing cog railway. When the Cog Railway was first proposed, the New Hampshire legislature was so doubtful it could be completed that they gave the builder the right to build a “railway to the moon!” Today you can ride the Cog to the top of 6,288-foot Mt. Washington, as well as see “Old Peppersass,” the world’s first mountain climbing locomotive which reached the summit on July 3, 1869. (White Mountains)
We actually stayed at the Bretton Arms Inn.
We had three nights here and unfortunately the weather didn’t remain as nice as it was on the drive up here. But we did see some amazing scenery and wonderful colours.
Next time we’ll head along the ‘Kanc’.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Love the idea of a railway to the moon, and I’m a sucker for Autumn colour. A trip I would have liked to make. Happy Sunday, Jude!
No reason why you can’t go over there. Eastern Canada if you don’t fancy the USA.
It’s a lot of money and Mick hates long flights. Sevilla to Valencia was about right for him 🙄💙
As far as I remember the flight to the eastern seaboard isn’t that long from the UK, compared to Australia, about 6 hours, but then you have all the waiting around time too. I understand his reluctance though and yes everything is so expensive now.
Beautiful autumn foliage and the U.S. east coast produces some gorgeous colours. I’ve never heard the term “leaf peeping” before. I love the autumn colours even though it means that summer is over, but my, such beautiful sights. We are planning an autumn trip to Québec for 2025 to see the sugar maples as we don’t have them in B.C. (lots of mountain maples instead). Cheers.
The colours were astonishing and such a delight to see all around the region. Here we really have to visit an arboretum where different trees are grown for their spectacular autumn foliage.
We deliberately avoided leaf peeping season when we visited New England, fearing it might be too busy. So I’m a little jealous you got to see it looking so glorious!
We got a company to organise everything for us on that particular trip and it worked out very well. You never know quite when the best colours are going to be though and this was the end of October.
Beautiful colours, and most definitely worth the trip to see them.
Best wishes, Pete. x
My only regret is that we didn’t have time to go over to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard – names I have always loved.
Some glorious images of the perfect autumn
Yes, it’s a great region for that autumn colour.
Your accommodation looks very nice and what stunning scenery.
The accommodation was very nice and even nicer was the hotel where we were allowed to visit and relax on those amazing balconies.
Another term to add to my vocabulary. I’d never heard of “leaf peeping” until your post – even after being an imported Canadian for a very long time! 😀
You’re not the first to mention that, I was under the impression that the term was well known in north America.
I can’t wait for cooler days and colored leaves. Beautiful pictures!
We’re still waiting for some warm days!
My husband and I loved in New Hampshire for 20 years and fall has to be one of the loveliest times to visit.
It’s nearly 18 years since our visit. Time flies!
This does look wonderful. But it was pretty damn’ good in our little corner of France too, so you can get away with not going so far. But you know your way round the States well, which makes a difference.
Those were the days when we enjoyed going to the States. I really liked driving over there.
I don’t really like driving anywhere! It’s just something that has to be done, like the ironing.
I like driving. My favourite holidays are driving ones.
Takes all sorts …. I’d much sooner relax on the train!