Overview
Franconia is in New Hampshire. It is the home of Franconia Notch and Cannon Mountain Ski Area. Franconia Notch is a mountain pass in northern NH with mountains rising 2,000-3,000 feet on each side. It is the location of the former "Old Man of the Mountains" which is featured on the New Hampshire quarter dollar coin.
4 sights · 8 things to do · 2 places to eat · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Franconia
The Flume Gorge
Seasonal. A deep gorge with several waterfalls and cascades. The Flume is accessed by a boardwalk (a fee is charged) and involves a mile or more of walking.
Frost Place
The poet Robert Frost lived in a farmhouse in Franconia for five years (1915-1920), gaining inspiration from the town. The house is now open to visitors free of charge, open memorial day weekend through the first week in…
Old Man of the Mountain (Franconia Notch State Park)
The Old Man of the Mountain, nicknamed the Great Stone Face or Profile, was located in Franconia Notch State Park. The Old Man of the Mountain was scenically set 1,200' above Profile Lake. Discovered in 1805, the rocks t…
Franconia Notch State Park
Mountain pass, home to Flume Gorge, Old Man of the Mountain (collapsed in 2003), Lonesome Lakes. Visitors can enjoy lakes, beaches, camping, and hiking. There are miles and miles of hiking trails within Franconia Notch S…
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and Ski Area
An alpine ski area that consists of a 70-person Aerial Tramway and several chair lifts. During the summer months, the Aerial Tramway is operated to bring tourists to the top of Cannon Mountain to experience the alpine co…
The Basin
The North Branch of the Pemigewasset River has carved out a 20' diameter glacial pothole at the base of a small waterfall. This area is accessed by a short walking path (with disabled access from I-93 southbound) and als…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jul–Aug. Summer highs reach about 55°F; winter lows dip to about -3°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Jul. (climate data from nearby Mount Washington State Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LEB Lebanon Municipal Airport, Lebanon — 50 mi away. Directions
- BTV Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, Burlington — 71 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 82 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Flume Gorge, Franconia Notch State Park
- Lunch Franconia Village House Restaurant
- Afternoon Cannon (camping), Sunset Hill Golf Course
- Dinner Polly's Pancake Parlor
Day 2
- Morning Frost Place, Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and Ski Area
- Afternoon Cannon (echo lake beach), NE Ski Museum (base of Aerial Tramway)
Day 3
- Morning Old Man of the Mountain (Franconia Notch State Park), The Basin
- Afternoon Cannon (artists bluff), Moonlight Cross Country Ski/Snowshoe Tour
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
See
See The Flume Gorge
Seasonal. A deep gorge with several waterfalls and cascades. The Flume is accessed by a boardwalk (a fee is charged) and involves a mile or more of walking.
See Frost Place
The poet Robert Frost lived in a farmhouse in Franconia for five years (1915-1920), gaining inspiration from the town. The house is now open to visitors free of charge, open memorial day weekend through the first week in July. This house preserves Robert Frost's legacy through memorabilia-filled rooms, occasional readings, a half-mile nature trail, and a narrated video by Frost's great-grandson. Ridge Rd. off I-93.
See Old Man of the Mountain (Franconia Notch State Park)
The Old Man of the Mountain, nicknamed the Great Stone Face or Profile, was located in Franconia Notch State Park. The Old Man of the Mountain was scenically set 1,200' above Profile Lake. Discovered in 1805, the rocks that made up the profile collapsed on May 3, 2003.
See Franconia Notch State Park
Mountain pass, home to Flume Gorge, Old Man of the Mountain (collapsed in 2003), Lonesome Lakes. Visitors can enjoy lakes, beaches, camping, and hiking. There are miles and miles of hiking trails within Franconia Notch State Park and the surrounding White Mountain National Forest, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. The park is roughly 8 miles long and is located on I-93.
Do
Do Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and Ski Area
An alpine ski area that consists of a 70-person Aerial Tramway and several chair lifts. During the summer months, the Aerial Tramway is operated to bring tourists to the top of Cannon Mountain to experience the alpine conditions. This tramway rises 2,000 vertical feet in about 7 minutes.
Do The Basin
The North Branch of the Pemigewasset River has carved out a 20' diameter glacial pothole at the base of a small waterfall. This area is accessed by a short walking path (with disabled access from I-93 southbound) and also includes several scenic cascades and the crystal clear water of the upper reaches of the Pemigewasset River. Allow 20-30 minutes for this is a self-guided hike. (No fee is charged)
Do Cannon (camping)
The camping and hiking hub of the Notch is centrally located in the Park at Lafayette Place Campground. It provides a great base from which to enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and many attractions in the White Mountains. Information about hiking trails, safety, and the natural and cultural history of the park is available at the cabin near the campground entrance.
Do Cannon (echo lake beach)
At Echo Lake Beach, visitors can enjoy the beauty of a 28-acre lake with an excellent view. The slopes of Cannon Mountain ski area drop right to the edge of the lake, and the view highlights where the Franconia Range and Kinsman Range meet, creating the notch. Echo Lake has a small snack bar, and canoe and kayak rentals.
Do Cannon (artists bluff)
Bald Mountain and Artists Bluff, reached by a short hike, offer some of the best views of Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch for the effort. The 1.5 mile loop begins in the parking area across Route 18 from the Peabody Base Area. After .25 mile, a short, steep path diverges left for .1 mile to the open summit of Bald Mountain. The main trail continues on from the junction and bears right, up and across the low ridge. A short, unmarked path diverges left to the open top of Artists Bluff. The main trail continues down to Route 18 near Echo Lake.
Do Sunset Hill Golf Course
Opened in 1897, noted for its amazing location in the White Mountains. It hold NH's oldest clubhouse and is quite fun all ages meaning good for all families. Plus it has world class fine-dining in its lodge with a great wine list.
Do NE Ski Museum (base of Aerial Tramway)
To collect, preserve, and exhibit elements from the broad spectrum of ski history for the purpose of research, education, and entertainment. Founded in 1977; Museum opened in 1982 next to the Cannon Mountain Tram, Franconia Notch State Park. Video Theater: Our collection of vintage film/videos are shown continuously to visitors in the Lowell Thomas, Jr., Theater on our video projector. Museum Shop and Catalog includes reproduction ski posters, books, t-shirts, postcards, ski jewelry, ski gift items, and vintage ski films on video.
Do Moonlight Cross Country Ski/Snowshoe Tour
Winter is an exhilarating time to be in the Franconia Notch Region- the perfect home base for all types of winter sports and activities. Vacation lodges and inns have been known to break out toboggans and sleds, well worn by generations. Skiing, the official sport of New Hampshire, offers one of the best way to enjoy winter. Alpine and cross country skiing share the slopes with snow boarders and twenty-first century snow toys that provide a whole new way to play. Snow tubing, a new twist on sliding, makes snow time fun time for all ages.
Eat
Eat Franconia Village House Restaurant
No Website Available. Casual restaurant. Late night dining.
Eat Polly's Pancake Parlor
Very busy on weekends and holidays, call one hour ahead for reservations. Antique tools and Civil War relics displayed inside and outside of the parlor. West 1.5 miles down Route 117 from Franconia.
Sleep
Go next
- Mount Washington State Park - Mount Washington is the highest mountain in the northeast. Visitors can walk or hike to the top, drive their car, or take the cog railway.
Nearby
Sugar Hill
City / town · 3 listings · 3 mi away
Bethlehem
City / town · 1 listings · 5 mi away
Littleton
City / town · 5 listings · 6 mi away
Whitefield
City / town · 3 listings · 12 mi away
Lincoln
City / town · 35 listings · 13 mi away
Bretton Woods
City / town · 7 listings · 15 mi away
St. Johnsbury
City / town · 12 listings · 19 mi away
White Mountain National Forest
Park · 26 listings · 19 mi away
My experience
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