zxcvbnm

If you had 2-3 days to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Vermont / New Hampshire at the end of September or beginning of October, which would you choose? (Also include if Maine is nice- although leaning away from Maine at this point.)
If Vermont, New Hampshire (and Maine) , where would you go if you were interested in nature and scenic areas?
thanks

nlg

Where are you coming from? We live in Tennessee and love the Gatlinburg area. Also have a son who lives in New Hampshire so go often to the New Hampshire/Vermont area. We love Stowe and Woodstock. All areas have plenty of hiking.

dfrostnh

Check the dates for the hawk migration in NH. There are two places with observation areas as part of NH Audubon.
http://www.nhaudubon.org/get-outside...observatories/
Monadnock is in the quiet corner of SW NH. If you went there, you could also schedule an herbal luncheon at Pickety Place. Peterborough NH is a very artsy upscale community. You'll find some b&b type places but not a lot of commercial development in that part of the state.

The Carter Hill observation area is in an apple orchard near Concord NH. It's quite close to a kayak rental place on the Contoocook River. Not sure how long into the fall they are open. If you are there at the right time, you can opt to be dropped off in Boscawen NH for a paddle on the Merrimack River. Despite being very close to civilization, you won't see any houses but you will see some great scenery. Take along a picnic lunch and pull out on a small private sandy beach. There is a larger beach that is accessible by the public and that's about your last chance for a beach. This is about a half day trip. There is supposed to be an eagle nesting in the area.

There are several apple orchards in the area. Gould Hill in Hopkinton grows a large variety of apples and also has a nice view of the mountains from their small parking lot.

If you want a better view, you can drive up the toll road to the state park near the top of Mt Kearsarge from the Wilmot NH side. The view is very good. There is a steep trail to the top from the picnic area. You can also go to the top of Mt Kearsarge from the Warner side but the drive is wooded and doesn't have the nice views along the way. In downtown Warner the independent book store has a small gallery. David Carroll's studio might be open. He is author/illustrator of Year of the Turtle and a couple of other books.

You could also visit Canterbury Shaker Village. Great tour in a beautiful location. But you could also see about taking a pontoon boat cruise of Squam Lake in Holderness (from Concord about an hour to get there) to learn about loons. They should still be around. I think. Just discussed loons with friends recently because a nature writer said she hadn't seen any on the local lake but friends said they finally spotted some recently after not seeing any all summer.

zxcvbnm

coming from NY. NH and VT are closer but wondering which is nicer

dfrostnh

There is no nicer. There's a lot of choices in each state. Pick the activities you want to do most of all. A lot of people love to drive the Kancamagus Hwy in NH but I don't. I don't care for Woodstock VT because it's too popular. We don't like a lot of traffic.

starrs

If you are interested in fall foliage, early October is too early for the GTMNP so NH/VT might be better.

clarkgriswold

With just a couple of days to explore, try the NH Lakes. Mid-September would probably have the best weather of the year and no crowds. Early October brings an influx of leaf-peepers and tour buses.
Climb Mt Major for some good exercise and a stupendous view.
http://www.bayside-inn.com/images/sundeck2.jpg
http://www.jwelchphoto.com/imgs/gall..._23254702.jpeg.
http://www.yankeemagazine.com/articl...ive-directions.

zxcvbnm

looks beautiful

dfrostnh

Nice post, Clark. The Center Sandwich route is one of my favorites. OP could visit Squam Lakes Science Center to see NH wild animals in natural habitat. Our granddaughters loved it. We went to the lecture on Eastern coyotes with a live coyote (in harness) to see. They wouldn't sit in the front row. A docent with a small owl stopped to talk to us. But in this area we have twice seen wild black bears near the road. For a small adventure the OP could find the Sandwich Creamery. DeLorme Atlas road map would be handy. Meredith would be a good place to stay for evening walks and sitting to look at the lake. The atlas also shows the location of covered bridges and waterfalls. There is a waterfall near the seasonal Sandwich Notch road but you have to know it's there. All the White Mountains activities are a short drive away.