Peak Foliage Drawing Thousands to White Mountains

10-07-2008

Here They Come!

 

 

NORTH WOODSTOCK, N.H. - The short, but spectacular, fall season is reaching peak color this week in many parts of New Hampshire's White Mountains, with a swell of visitors expected in the region for the upcoming Columbus Day weekend.

 

The three-day holiday, which typically coincides with the brightest colors, has long drawn visitors from all over the world. This year, tourism officials in the region still expect those crowds to descend over the coming days, but the nation's economic woes may have an impact on where those travelers come from.

 

 "We expect visitors to come from near and far, but not in between," said Jayne O'Connor, president of White Mountains Attractions Association in North Woodstock. "We'll see folks from the Eastern Seaboard - Boston, Providence, Philadelphia and New York, as well as from Canada and Europe."

 

But those from the middle and western parts of the U.S. may opt to stay closer to their homes, she said. "The reason we probably won't see people from California or Texas is the higher airline fares and transportation costs," she said.

 

With the U.S. continuing to be a high value destination for Europeans, because of the favorable exchange rate of the Pound and Euro to the dollar, O'Connor said foreign visitors will still make the journey to see the colors.

 

"We'll see them coming over here right through November," she said.

 

A favorite sight for visitors, both domestic and international, this time of year is The Return of the Pumpkin People in Jackson. There are scenes of pumpkin people riding motorcycles, flying, doing magic tricks, at the barbecue and even a recreation of the famous Abbey Road scene from The Beatles.  "The scenes are created by residents and businesses, and are very funny and entertaining.  There's a self-guided tour to take visitors through the mountains to all the People, which will be around until October 20th." 

 

Foliage was at peak color at the beginning of the month in Franconia Notch, and she expects that color to hold on for another week or so.

 

"The wet weather this summer kept the trees and leaves moist and healthy, so the leaves are staying on the trees longer," she said.

 

O'Connor's organization provides tour guide services for visiting tour buses throughout the mountains, and as the foliage has come on, she has observed that this mode of travel is bringing more people to the region than past years.

 

"We've had twice the number of requests for guide services that we had last year," she said. "These days, it's less expensive to travel by motorcoach and we're seeing very full buses, bringing people from the midwest and the South to see New England in full color."

 

White Mountains Attractions, founded in 1958, is the regional marketing association for 16 attractions within the White Mountains region, including Attitash, Cannon Mountain, Clark's Trading Post, the Cog Railroad, the Conway Scenic Railroad, Flume Gorge, the Hobo Railroad, Loon Mountain, Lost River Gorge, Mount Washington Auto Road, Polar Caves, Santa's Village, Six Gun City, Story Land, Whale's Tale and Wildcat Mountain.

 

For information about the White Mountains, the visitors' center is located off exit 32 on Interstate 93 in North Woodstock; visit www.visitwhitemountains.com <http://www.visitwhitemountains.com>  or call 800-FIND-MTS.

 

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