Leaf‑Peepers Flock to New Hampshire for a Burst of Autumn Color

From the sun‑kissed streets of San Diego to the rolling hills of Kentucky, people packed their cars and headed north this past weekend, all in pursuit of New Hampshire’s famed autumn canopy.

"We started in Maine, made our way over here to the White Mountains. Loving it. Beautiful place," said Brian Sibado, a visitor from Kentucky, as he paused beside a stretch of road ablaze in scarlet.

For Cindy and Greg, a couple from sunny Southern California, the trip was a first‑time taste of a New England fall. "We have palm trees and, like, desert," Cindy laughed, marveling at the sudden flood of reds and golds. Greg added, "We’re just going to drive down Route 112, see the leaves, see the scenery," a simple plan that turned into a day‑long adventure.

The crowds, however, are part of the charm—or at least part of the reality. Traffic snarls on the Kancamagus Highway and in the small towns that dot the route are now the norm during peak foliage weeks. "You have to expect a bit of a jam and give yourself extra time," advised Charyl Reardon, director of the White Mountains Attractions Association. She noted that this year’s colors are unusually vivid, a fact that’s spreading fast thanks to Instagram posts of hikers atop Artist Bluff and drivers cruising the Kanc.

Local businesses are feeling the ripple. The Lincoln Diner, a longtime staple on Route 112, reports a steady stream of visitors popping in for breakfast, lunch, and even dinner. "It’s amazing because they get off the Kanc and they come in here to eat all day long," said Tabitha Allard, the diner’s owner, smiling as she handed a steaming cup of coffee to a weary traveler.

If you’re planning to chase the leaves later this weekend, a word of caution: allow extra travel time, keep your speed reasonable, and be prepared for occasional stops—whether it’s to snap a photo, stretch your legs, or simply soak in the stunning vista.