Coziest Ways to Spend an October Sunday in Southern NH 🍂☕️

Coziest Ways to Spend an October Sunday in Southern NH 🍂☕️

There’s something about a fall Sunday in Southern New Hampshire that makes you want to slow everything down. The air is crisp, the leaves are showing off, and suddenly spending the day with a warm drink, a scenic drive, and absolutely nowhere you have to be sounds pretty perfect.

If you’re looking for a cozy way to spend your next Sunday, here are a few ideas- and some local places to try along the way!

Start With Coffee & Something Delicious ☕️

Every great fall Sunday should begin with coffee - preferably somewhere cozy where you can linger for a bit.

Try The Cure Café in New Boston for a small-town coffee stop, or head toward Witching Hour Coffee & Provisions in Contoocook and explore the village while you’re there. Blooms & Brews Café in Deerfield is another fun option for turning your morning coffee into a little Sunday adventure. Order the maple latte. Get the pastry. Sundays are not the day to rush.

Take the Scenic Route 🍁

This time of year, getting there can be half the fun.

One beautiful option is the Appleway Scenic Byway through Londonderry, where you'll pass orchards, historic properties and plenty of classic New England fall scenery.

Skip the highway and take the back roads from New Boston through Mont Vernon, Francestown, Hancock and into Peterborough. Think winding country roads, old stone walls, historic homes and gorgeous foliage. Put on a great playlist, grab your coffee and take the long way.

Stop at an Orchard for Apples & Cider Donuts 🍎

Can you really have a New Hampshire fall Sunday without a cider donut?

Stop by Carter Hill Orchard in Concord for apples, cider donuts, the country store and beautiful views. Mack’s Apples in Londonderry is another classic fall destination, especially if you want to combine apple picking with your scenic drive along the Appleway.

You could also head east to DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee, where you can pick apples, grab something delicious from the farm store and explore the property's walking trails. Pick up a pumpkin for the front steps while you're there - and definitely bring home extra donuts.

Get Outside for a Little While 🥾

You don't need to plan a major hike to enjoy a beautiful fall day.

If you're in Concord, grab your coffee and take a walk through New Hampshire Auduban at Silk Farm. Beautiful wooded trails lead to Great Turkey Pond. For a little history with your foliage, visit Robert Frost Farm in Derry, where you can explore the wooded trails and fields surrounding the historic property. Or simply find a local trail, pond or conservation area and spend 30 minutes outside. Sometimes that's all you need.

Wander Through a Quintessential New England Town 🍂

This might be my favorite way to spend a fall afternoon.

Walk through Amherst Village, explore the shops and restaurants around downtown Peterborough, or take a drive through Hancock Village, with its historic homes, village green and beautiful classic New England setting. Contoocook Village is another great Sunday stop - especially if you started the morning with coffee there.

Park the car, wander around, pop into a local shop and enjoy not having an agenda.

Bring Home Something Cozy for Dinner 🥣

Before heading home, stop somewhere local and pick up a few things for Sunday dinner.

Places like Carter Hill Orchard or Gould Hill Farm in Contoocook are perfect for grabbing apples, cider and other seasonal treats. Add some fresh bread, local cheese or a pie and you've got the beginnings of a pretty perfect fall evening. Then head home and put something warm on the stove - chili, homemade soup, pot roast, baked mac & cheese, or whatever makes the house smell amazing while it cooks.

End the Day at Home 🕯️

Sometimes the very best part of a Sunday is coming home.

Light a candle. Put on your comfiest clothes. Start a fire if it's chilly enough. Watch the Patriots, put on a favorite movie, read a book or simply enjoy a quiet evening before another busy week begins. Fall always seems to fly by in New Hampshire. So when you get one of those beautiful crisp Sundays with nowhere you absolutely need to be, take advantage of it.

Grab the coffee. Take the long way. Buy the cider donuts. Admire the leaves. And enjoy a cozy Sunday right here in Southern New Hampshire. 🍁🤍