A PERFECT DAY

Do …

Reach for the sky

To appreciate the fiery colours of New England’s leaves, head for the 6,288ft peak of Mount Washington. Get there aboard the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway. Take the first run of the day for a steamengine ride (three hours round-trip). In clear weather, you can see as far as Canada and the Atlantic Ocean. Dress warmly: temperatures at the summit drop dramatically.

001 603 278 5404; thecog.com

Drink … Mount Washington Resort

This grande-dame hotel (right) in New Hampshire is named for – and looks straight at – the tallest peak in the north-eastern US. Order a Mount Washington Organic Amber Ale and savour the view from a wicker chair on the veranda, just as great names from the past have done, including Sir Winston Churchill. 001 603 278 1000; bretton woods.com

Eat … White Mountain Cider Company

Set in an 1880s New Hampshire farmhouse, this restaurant follows the seasons, using New England’s bounty from land and sea. In autumn, cider (non-alcoholic) from its own cider mill is the star attraction. At dinner, start with a cider martini; explore a menu featuring pork, chicken or even calamari cooked with cider. Finish with chef/owner Teresa Stearns’s featherlight cider doughnuts, partnered by caramel sauce and ice cream.

001 603 383 9061; ciderconh.com