Fall in the Monadnock Region

It’s no real surprise that New England sees so many visitors to its states during this time of year. It’s my own personally favorite season, so I know how much fun it can be. I make a yearly apple-picking stop, and then head on over to a local farm that lets you pick your own pumpkins. Even though I’ve lived in New England my entire life, the changing colors of the leaves is one of my favorite experiences of nature. The air turns nice and crisp, you can drink hot cocoa (or something pumpkin-y) and fully take in your surroundings. It’s lovely, and the fact that I get to experience it every year is a treat. Even though the peak foliage has come and gone, New England offers some great and unique experiences during the Fall.

MacLeod Brothers Farm in Milford NH is one of the nicest places to pick apples. Located about 20 minutes from Peterborough, the farm is up on top of a hill with great views and perfect atmosphere for apple picking. One of the things about New England that is always a treat is that regardless of the season you can go pick your own of a variety of things.

In the spirit of pick-your-own, quite a few places offer pick your own pumpkins. Off of route 101 East in Amherst there’s a local little farm that on the weekends allows visitors to come and snag their very own choice of the orange gourds. After handing over a pair of trimmers for any still attached, you can just roam out in the wide field and find that perfect pumpkin. I probably make a trip once or twice a year at least!

Even after the season of picking has come and gone, many farm stands still sell the autumnal favorites. One of the more well known farm stands own two locations – one in Milford and one in Hollis called Lull Farm. They’re a bit of a drive from our little nook in the Monadnock region, but they have apples galore due to their extensive orchards (which you can pick your own at until late October) and pumpkins of all variety. Since I bake a lot during the fall and winter season, I stock up on sugar pumpkins here and at another farm stand located in Milford so I can save on buying canned pumpkins. This particular farm (Trombly Gardens) also hosts family fun attractions during the fall including a corn maze and hay ride.

New England wouldn’t be New England during the fall without the leaves. Though they are steadily dwindling from the branches of trees, you can still see the soft oranges and yellows that have remained on trees that have yet to relinquish them. We had a beautiful peak this year, which many of us were worried we wouldn’t due to our dry summer. Taking a drive down Route 31 through Greenfield is highly recommended for future leaf peeping!

Along with our leaves and seasonal favorites, this time of year we get to enjoy a variety of events and festivals. At the beginning of every October, Milford hosts their annual Pumpkin Festival on the town oval. For three days, the town celebrates fall with an arts and craft fair, face painting, scarecrow making and more. Followed shortly after is Peak into Peterborough, which many local artisans and businesses get to greet guests with exciting events in and around downtown. And of course, there’s the Monadnock Pumpkin Festival that takes place just outside of Keene at the Cheshire Fairgrounds. Pumpkin carving, vendors and costume contests make this festival a real treat!

Us New Englanders know we lucked out with this beautiful place to live. Come join enjoy it with us in the fall, and make it part of your yearly experience, too.