While New Hampshire offers a plenty of pretty hamlets and some of the country’s best leaf-peeping spots, Hanover stands apart with its rolling hills, lively downtown shops and cafes and Dartmouth students, Potter says. Arrive in October to admire the intense shades of orange and crimson, then meander through downtown, where you’ll find quaint shops like Left Bank Books and plenty of crowd-pleasing dining institutions, from Murphy’s on the Green to Lou’s Restaurant and Bakery. While in town, stay at the Trumbull House Bed & Breakfast (near Dartmouth College), renowned for its well-maintained grounds and paths that connect to the Appalachian Trail.