Chasing the Last of the Foliage: Where Color Lingers in Southern New Hampshire

Every fall, New Hampshire's foliage moves like a slow wave from north to south. It starts in the Great North Woods in late September, rolls through the White Mountains in early October, and finishes along the Seacoast and in the southern river valleys at the end of the month. By the last week of October 2026, that wave has nearly reached the ocean. If you missed peak season up north, southern New Hampshire still offers a chance to catch it.

Conditions change fast this time of year. A single windy day can strip a hillside, so always check the state's current foliage report before you drive.

Where things stood

Visit NH's foliage report for October 23, 2026, listed the Great North Woods and White Mountains as past peak. The Lakes Region, Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee, and Merrimack Valley were at peak, and the Monadnock Region was moving from peak to past peak. The Seacoast was at about 75 percent color change and still brightening, with the report singling out Exeter, Route 108, Route 155 through Lee, and Dover. That makes the Seacoast and Merrimack Valley the best bets for the final week of October.

The Seacoast: Exeter, Dover, and Lee

Exeter is a handsome old town on the Squamscott River and one of the spots the state report highlighted. Stay at the Exeter Inn, or have lunch at Blue Moon Evolution, a directory listing downtown. History fans can visit the American Independence Museum; check its site for late-season hours. For a pint, Czar's Brewery is also in Exeter, and Deciduous Brewing in nearby Newmarket has a fitting name for the season.

Route 108 and Route 155 connect a string of small towns between Exeter, Durham, Dover, and Lee, and the state report pointed to both as colorful drives.

The Merrimack Valley: Concord and Canterbury

North of Concord, Canterbury Shaker Village is a peaceful place to see late color against white clapboard buildings. Check the Village's website for current hours and trail access.

Nearby, Contoocook Cider Company pours hard ciders at an orchard overlooking Gould Hill Farm, and in downtown Concord, Concord Craft Brewing makes an easy last stop.

Farther south, Milford's New Hampshire Antique Co-op is a directory listing for a rainy-day browse.

A sample day

Morning: Visit Canterbury Shaker Village (check hours first).

Midday: Cider in Contoocook, then lunch in Concord.

Afternoon: Drive east toward Exeter on smaller roads, then take Route 108 or Route 155 for the late color the state report highlighted.

Evening: Dinner in Exeter and an overnight at the Exeter Inn.

Tips

• Check the report. Visit NH updates its foliage report regularly through the season.
• Go early in the week. Weekday drives are quieter, and color can drop quickly after a storm.
• Watch the clock. Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, and afternoons are already short.
• Wear orange in the woods. Hunting seasons are underway in late fall; check NH Fish and Game for dates.

Plan your trip

Browse our Seacoast and Merrimack Valley listings for more inns, restaurants, and breweries.

Sources

• Foliage status by region and the highlighted Seacoast roads and towns: Visit NH Foliage Report, Oct 23, 2026, https://www.visitnh.gov/plan-your-trip/fall/foliage-report
• Southern NH at peak: WMUR foliage coverage, Oct 21, 2026, https://www.wmur.com/
• Canterbury Shaker Village: https://www.shakers.org/
• Daylight Saving Time end date: NIST, https://www.nist.gov/pml/time-and-frequency-division/popular-links/daylight-saving-time-dst
• Business details: New Hampshire Travel Guides directory listings (verified)