new hampshire travel tourism
When is peak season?
The good people of Farmers' Almanac came up with guidelines in the 2009 issue. Remember, peak times come earlier in higher elevation locales. 
Photos: Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Railroad enthusiasts have lots of opportunities to ride the rails in this scenic region. Excursions are particularly popular during the fall foliage season.
Sightseeing trains depart from the historic L&N Depot Museum in Etowah and follow the Old Line Railroad through the Cherokee National Forest and into the Hiwassee River Gorge. Special full-day trips to Copperhill include a layover for shopping and dining. People can purchase tickets at the Etowah Depot (423-263-7840), or make advance reservations with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 423-894-8028, www.tvrail.com. For tourism information, contact the Tennessee Overhill Association, 877-510-5765, www.tennesseeoverhill.com
Chattanooga's Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum operates excursion trains in Southeastern Tennessee and North Georgia. The Missionary Ridge Local takes passengers on a 6-mile trip from Grand Junction Station. Themed rides and all-day trips are also available. 423-894-8028, www.tvrail.com
Knoxville's Three Rivers Rambler follows the waterfront during its 90-minute trip that features historic sites. Pumpkin Express rides are slated for October. Trains depart from downtown's Volunteer Landing. 865-524-9411, www.threeriversrambler.com
Trips on the Secret City Scenic Excursion Train in Oak Ridge are coordinated by the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum. Trains depart from the Heritage Center (formerly K-25). They follow Poplar Creek and weave through the countryside along Highway 327. 865-241-2140, www.southernappalachia.railway.museum
Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville operates trips in cooperation with the Nashville & Eastern Railroad to Watertown and Cookeville. In October several all-day, 180-mile excursions to Cookeville will show off autumn colors. A 216-mile trip to Monterey is set for Oct. 11. 615-244-9001, www.tcry.org
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers a full schedule of fall foliage and special event excursions. Trains follow along the Tuckasegee River and Nantahala River. Depots are in Dillsboro and Bryson City, N.C. 800-872-4681, www.gsmr.com
Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, N.C., has family entertainment as part of its rail-riding package. Locomotive No. 12 takes passengers on a short ride through the mountainous landscape. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 877-TWEETSIE or 800-526-5740, www.tweetsie.com
Nestled in Geogria's Chattahoochee National Forest, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway has a regular 3.5-hour, 26-mile runs along the Toccoa River. The ride starts at the depot in Blue Ridge and takes passengers to McCaysville and Copperhill. 800-934-1898, www.brscenic.com
South Georgia's SAM Shortline Railway coordinates train rides through a landscape of pecan groves and peanut farms. Each excursion departs at Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park and goes to Americus, Plains and Archery. During stops, riders can visit the headquarters of Habitat for Humanity, Jimmy Carter National Historic Site and President Carter's boyhood home and farm, as well as restaurants, antiques emporiums and specialty shops. 877-GA-RAILS, www.SamShortline.com
The 100-year-old K&T