Northern New Hampshire: May, September or?
 

Nothing like planning ahead!
I will have a chance to spend a few days in northern New Hampshire (near Bethlehem and Franconia Notch, I think) later in the year. I'd like to have some total relaxation time as well as some light activity (walking, light hiking, swimming??) and access to some cultural events or sights (historic houses, museums, music festivals) I'd willing to travel up to an hour from my base area to get to these activities.

My choices are mid-late May (before Memorial Day) or September (right after Labor Day) There's also a chance that I could do this trip in mid August.

I'm thinking that May will not be warm, but the coldest muddy days should be over? September is still too early for fall foliage--or is it? And if I can swing August, will it be warm enough to swim in an outdoor pool or lake?

Any other reasons you can think of to prefer once time of the year over another?

Septmeber and "indian summer" for sure. Or yes in August would be warm enough (most likely) to swim in streams & lakes.

May could conceiveably still be the tail end of the "mud season" depending on exact weather patterns next year.

Odds show better weather in September

Isn't May the beginning of black fly season?

I would go with August or September. When hiking in Franconia in May (Memorial Day weekend on Mt. Lafayette) a few years ago. there was still snow on some trails.

Early September would be too early for foliage and while there could be an "Indian Summer" it is not a guarantee.

Most of my hiking in that area has been a bit more than light hiking but I will attempt to give some further feedback on that. Willard Mt. comes to mind as a short hike with a great payoff in terms of views. The Flume is a nice spot to spend a couple of hours hiking and enjoying nature and you can always take the tram up to the top of Cannon Mt.

I will try to come up with more suggestions...

I live in NH. I would vote for August or September.

NH isn't that big, you can see a lot of places within an hour's drive (plus or minus a few minutes).

May is likely to be too cool for swimming - except in a heated pool. Go for Sept or Aug instead.

I agree with the previous poster that you could find snow on the ground in late May. Mid- to late May might be just ahead of black fly season but if it's early this year you certainly don't want to be in the woods. I think you will find more activities and events going on during August. We can have some wonderful weather that month. We usually attend Old Farming Days at Musterfield Farm in Sutton NH which is usually the weekend before Labor Day. That might be a bit far for you to travel. Labor Day weekend there is a country fair in Lancaster. It's small but there might be a music event in the evening or during the day. Check events in the Lake Winnipesaukee area, either Wolfboro or Guilford. Not too far from Rt 93 in Tilton NH, there are free concerts Sundays at 6pm. Different type of music each week. There are other free outdoor concerts in various locations but I'm not that familiar with the Franconia area. August is still considered tourist season. By September, there are fewer events. It's the slow period between summer and fall foliage. It would have to be late September to get a chance of some foliage in the mountains altho even in late August you might see beginnings of red in swampy areas. The weather can be fabulous in September but keep in mind some of the things to do have ended because summer help have gone back to school.

Light Hikes, big walks:

Seconding Mt Willard in Crawford Notch. Really a walk up an old road to an unbelievable view.

Also, Zealand Falls trail, with a quick rise to Zealand Falls hut at the end.

In Pinkham Notch, the walk to Lowe's Bald Spot is easy, and there is a fabulous view at the end. For more exercise, continue on past the auto road into the Great Gulf.

The trail to Carter Notch hut follows a mountain stream most of the way and is not difficult, though longish.

In the southern part of the White Mountains, the trails up Mt Chocorua are very, very satisfying.

If these places are meaningless to you, get yourself a copy of the White Mountain Guide from the Appalachian Mountain Club. It has maps and descriptions of walks and hikes of all levels and a lot of safety information.

Thanks for the suggestions!
I will aim for September.