Leaf peeping is an extremely popular tourist activity in New England. Professional tour buses dot the highways all throughout October. Maps on the internet let people know when the peak week occurs where around 80% of trees have changed and there is no brown. Each year we try to go somewhere different to engage in viewing the splendor of nature. Though Bar Harbor, Maine and Stowe, Vermont are overnight destinations, one doesn’t have to do more than a day trip to see spectacular sites during a New England fall.

We’ve been to the White Mountains during peeping season before, so this year I thought we’d add a little twist. I found five covered bridges that are pretty close together on the eastern edge of the range. To make it even more unique, we chose to drive up the eastern side of the state rather than straight up I-93 like we usually do. I got off the main road at one point and we found ourselves surrounded in a cathedral of leafy color. This is what fall in New England is supposed to look like!

Our first bridges were conveniently within a mile of each other in the little town of Conway. Spanning the Swift river, one is just a walking bridge while the other is a working bridge with car traffic. Both are nestled beautifully within the foliage and provide the perfect fall setting.

On the way to the next bridge our drive took us past striking granite walls framed by trees of amazing color. More than one car stopped to take pictures of these glorious landscapes.

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The third bridge is called the honeymoon bridge. I guess this is a popular place for newlyweds. One of secretaries in my school said her son stayed at the hotel on the other side of the bridge after his wedding so I guess the stories are true. The bridge is only made more beautiful by the river it crosses. The trees and the water really made this the picture perfect bridge!

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The fourth bridge was unique in that it contained a gift store filled with all kinds of New Hampshire Nick Nacks. I found a website that labeled this bridge the most touristy bridge in New Hampshire, and I totally agree. We were certainly not the only peepers enjoying the bridges as we fought to find a parking space.

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Before reaching our final bridge we needed to stop for lunch. We had planned to eat at a little bistro in North Conway, however the scenic railway was boarding for color tours and completely consumed every parking space in town. Instead we went back to the BlackCap Grill, a wonderfully chic bar and grill we’d visited the last time we drove through the White Mountains. We weren’t disappointed and even got to dine outside in the beautiful sunshine.

Our last bridge was part of the Kancamagus Highway. I was glad we were going against the flow of traffic as there were many leaf peepers touring this major fall foliage freeway. The Albany bridge is really photogenic and is listed as one of the most popular bridges in New Hampshire. It certainly did not disappoint. Nestled in the trees, this working bridge is simply a scenic splendor.

I love adding new twists to traditional ideas. New Hampshire has about 23 covered bridges in tact. We’ve seen about half of them. I look forward to finding other ways we can modify our adventures to take in these magnificent pieces of New England history.