Best Places to Propose in New Hampshire - Fall Edition
Looking for the best place for a fall proposal in New Hampshire? Look no further.
The nights are growing colder, and the foliage is starting to change color as fall approaches New England. The mountains of New Hampshire will soon be transformed by warm autumn hues, creating a stunning natural backdrop for life’s special moments. Autumn represents change, transformation, and reflection; symbolically, a perfect time to commit to taking the next step in your relationship.
Imagine taking the love of your life on a New Hampshire fall adventure; the colorful leaves dancing through the cool air as they fall softly around you, the warmth of the golden hour glow adding its natural magic to the moment you’ve been planning for a lifetime.
A few things to consider before deciding which spot is the perfect one for you: do you care if other people are around, or are you hoping for a private moment? Does the specific location/town/mountain/trail/lake matter sentimentally, or are you just here to find a list of the most beautiful spots in New Hampshire? Do you want to take a photographer with you? Are you shooting for peak foliage week? Check out our list below to see if any of the spots we’ve found fit your vision.
Take A Hike
If you enjoy nature and the outdoors, there are countless hikes in New Hampshire that would set a beautiful scene for your proposal. We couldn’t possibly list them all, but we’ve included some of our favorites for you to check out.
The view from the top of Mount Major in the fall.
Photo by John Welch
Mount Major – Located in the heart of New Hampshire’s beautiful Lakes Region, this mountaintop offers a panoramic view of Lake Winnipesaukee and the surrounding mountains. With easily accessible parking and several trails available to offer differing levels of difficulty, this is a hike everyone can enjoy. This is a popular hiking destination, so you may find that it isn’t quite private. Noticeably less busy on weekdays/early mornings.
Mount Washington – Hike it, drive it, or take the scenic cog railway up to the top. The top of Mount Washington boasts some of the most incredible views in every direction. Come October, the surrounding mountains will burst into an array of fall colors, creating one of the most breathtaking views for your autumn proposal. (Hint: sunrise at the top will truly bring the wow factor.)
Mount Monadnock – A moderately challenging hike located in Jaffrey, NH, that takes about 3-4 hours, round trip, with an incredible payoff at the top. Views in every direction overlooking miles of fall colors. This is also a somewhat popular hike, but you can certainly find a spot all to yourself if you time it right.
Flume Gorge – A 2-mile loop, located in Franconia Notch State Park, this trail only takes about 1.5 hours to complete. Complete with views, covered bridges, staircases, and boardwalks winding through the boulders and around the water, this trail has a little bit of everything you hope for in a New Hampshire hike.
Sabbaday Falls – Located in Camption, NH, this short hike is only about 0.5mi (one way) and ends in a gorgeous series of falls. There are railings, wooden walkways, and stairs leading to and around the falls, offering many scenic spots to pop the question.
Get on the Lake
Lake Winnipesaukee – The largest lake in New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesaukee has views all around and every kind of recreation you can imagine. Rent a boat, take a cruise on ‘The M/S Mount Washington’, visit one of the gorgeous beaches, lakeside resorts, or rent a house for a long weekend to propose and celebrate along Lake Winnipesaukee’s 75 miles of shoreline. Located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, this is a popular destination for tourists, especially in the summer and fall, however, with some planning ahead you will easily be able to carve out some privacy for your special moment.
Lake Solitude – This one may be for the more adventurous couple – this lake is about a mile hike from the summit lodge at Mount Sunapee. This small, isolated lake was formed in the crater of an ancient volcano. If hiking from the base of the mountain, you can reach it from several trailheads in about 2 hours. This would be a great lakeside option for a couple who would prefer more privacy.
Fall foliage on the lake as seen from above.
Squam Lake – Located in the Lakes Region, NH, Squam Lake is smaller in size and attracts a little less tourism than Lake Winnipesaukee. Squam Lake still boasts similar expansive mountain views in all directions, and it may be easier to find private moments. Mountains you can see from the lake include Mount Chocorua, Red Hill, West & East Rattlesnake, and many more in the Sandwich/Squam ranges. (Fun fact: Squam Lake is where “On Golden Pond” was filmed.)
Fall Foliage surrounds the gondola at Loon Mountain.
Take a Ride
Mount Washington – Worth listing twice, as mentioned earlier – you can hike it, but you can also drive or take the scenic cog railway up to the top. The ride up itself is incredible, but once you get to the top, the views are unmatched.
Loon Mountain Resort – Take New Hampshire’s longest gondola skyride on the Mountain Express Gondola and ascend 1,738 vertical feet to the summit of Loon Peak. Your ride overlooks the White Mountain National Forest, where you’ll be surrounded by stunning foliage and mountain views as far as the eye can see. Visit the glacial caves while you’re up there, check out the observation tower, play a round of disc golf, hit up the mountain biking trails, zipline through the trees, or enjoy lunch at the summit café. It would be easy to plan a fun-filled day around a gorgeous proposal at Loon Mountain in the fall.
Kancamagus Highway – A breathtaking scenic 34.5-mile stretch of Rt 112 through the White Mountains of New Hampshire between Conway and Lincoln. Along this stretch, there are countless trailheads, waterfalls, and scenic pull-off areas for leaf peeping. This drive gets busy during the autumn months, but with so many options for places to stop, it would be easy to pick a spot for a beautiful and intimate proposal.
Picture yourself at the farm, drenched in the glow of an incredible golden hour, asking your person to spend forever with you.
Local Farms/Orchards
What is fall in New England without visiting the local orchard or pumpkin patch? Apple picking, pies, cider donuts, hay rides, and late-season flower fields can all come together to create the perfect backdrop for your proposal. New Hampshire is home to so many beautiful farms and picturesque orchards, it’s hard to know where to start. We’ve listed some of our favorites below.
Alyson’s Orchard – Located in Walpole, NH, Alyson’s has been a long-time family favorite of ours. This spot has it all: a cute farm store, acres of apple trees with mountain views, and even overnight stays right at the farm. Tons of gorgeous spots here to propose. This is a popular spot, but it’s so big you could probably find a quiet corner of the orchard for your proposal if you were hoping to keep it private.
Cardigan Mountain Orchard – Located in Alexandria, New Hampshire, Cardigan Mountain Orchard is a beautiful spot to spend the day. Picture rolling hills covered in over 1,000 apple trees with colorful, gorgeous mountain views in the background. Enjoy a day of exploring, apple picking, and shopping in their cute country store. Although this is also a popular spot, we think it would be relatively easy to steal away a private moment in the depths of the sprawling orchards for your proposal moment.
Mack’s Apple Orchard – Mack’s Apple Orchard in Londonderry, NH is the oldest family-run orchard in the state. Complete with all the things you hope for in a fall day at the orchard, farm store, cider donuts, corn maze, homemade ice cream, and pick your own apples, all within a picturesque, quintessential New Hampshire setting.
Cold Spring Farm - No sprawling orchards here (yet), but the golden hour view from our little slice of the mountain is unmatched. There are miles of trails on the property that you would have all to yourself. If you know us, you know we love love, and we’d be happy to help facilitate your proposal. Contact us ahead of time, and we’ll make sure you have the space all to yourself (except for maybe the horses) for your special moment. If you’re looking for a photographer to capture the magic, we know a few who would take incredible care of you. Book a stay in our romantic little cabin afterward, and when you’re ready, we’re here to help you plan the wedding, too!
A beautiful map of every beautiful space that Bedrock Gardens has to offer for your unique and picturesque proposal.
Something Different
Andres Institute of Art – A public Sculpture park in Brookline, NH, this would be the perfect place for a unique proposal if you are an art/nature enthusiast.
The Garden at Prescott Park – Located in Portsmouth, NH, enjoy a stroll through the gardens and a view of the water, offering several options for gorgeous backdrops to your proposal. Prescott Park does attract many visitors and hosts frequent public/private events, so keep an eye on the schedule if you’re hoping to find a moment alone here.
Castle in the Clouds – A stunning location in Moultonborough, NH. With sprawling mountain views, a historic castle structure, a museum, and beautifully curated gardens, there are several options here for a beautiful proposal. Garden tours require pre-registration.
Bedrock Gardens – Located in Lee, NH, and open for the season until mid-October, this beautiful property is home to sprawling gardens to wander through. Sculptures, water features, beautiful structures, and thoughtful plantings abound here, creating countless spaces to serve as the backdrop for an unforgettable proposal.
Great Island Common – Located in New Castle, New Hampshire, this beautiful spot spans 32 acres of beach and seaside green space. Enjoy expansive views of the water over the rocks, complete with two lighthouses. A local gem, and the perfect spot to propose on the beach, if that’s the vibe you’re going for.
Fisher Cats Game – If you prefer a more public proposal, consider heading to Manchester for a fun day at the field – perhaps your romantic gesture will end up on the big screen!
Isles of Shoals – The Isles of Shoals are a series of islands about 7 miles off the coast of New Hampshire/Maine. You’ll have to access this area by boat – either your own or you can take a ride with the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company, which sails out of Portsmouth Harbor.
Concert Proposal – There are several awesome and even historic concert venues in New Hampshire. If a public proposal is your speed, consider purchasing tickets to an upcoming show at one of New Hampshire’s beautiful concert venues to pop the question. Consider the BankNH Pavilion, The Music Hall, The Stone Church, The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Jimmy’s Jazz Club, etc.
Whatever the vision is for your perfect proposal, New Hampshire likely has a spot that would fit it perfectly. While every season in New Hampshire is picturesque, the vibrant colors and crisp air of the fall tend to create the perfect atmosphere for romance. Cozy up together in a historic bed and breakfast, watch the stars come out over a warm fire, share some fresh hot cider while you stroll through the orchards; everything about fall in New Hampshire fills the senses and warms the heart.
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