# Franconia (New Hampshire)

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.

## See

* 44.099722-71.671 The Flume Gorge, Off Interstate 93 at Exit 34A. 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.
* 44.212778-71.75752 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.
* 44.16062-71.6834173 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.
* 44.143333-71.6838894 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

* Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and Ski Area, Interstate 93 Exit 34B, ☏ +1 603 823-8800. 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.
* The Basin, Interstate 93 (about a mile north of Exit 34B). 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)
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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

* Franconia Village House Restaurant, 651 Main St, ☏ +1 603 823-5405. No Website Available. Casual restaurant. Late night dining.
* Polly's Pancake Parlor, 672 Route 117, Sugar Hill, ☏ +1 603 823-5575. 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

* Best Western White Mountain Resort, 87 Wallace Hill Rd, ☏ +1 603 823-7422, toll-free: +1-888-669-6777, fax: +1 603 823-5638.
* Franconia Inn, 1300 Easton Valley Rd, ☏ +1 603 823-5542. Views of Mount Lafayette, Franconia Notch and Kinsman Range. Colonial style inn, tennis courts, horseback riding, outdoor heated pool, snow tubing, horse drawn sleigh rides and lighted ice skating rink on premises.
* The Horse and Hound Inn, 205 Wells Rd, ☏ +1 603 823-5501. Includes wifi, high speed internet, restaurant, cable and DVD/VCR player on premises. Pets are allowed.
* Lafayette Campground, Interstate 93 (1 mile south of Exit 34B (southbound land only)), ☏ +1 603 745-8391. Lafayette Campground is located in Franconia Notch State Park and in the heart of Franconia Notch.
* Mittersill Alpine Resort, 193 Mittersill Rd, ☏ +1 603 823-5511. Condominium Resort, outdoor heated pool.
* Stonybrook Hotel & Lodge, Route 18, ☏ +1 603 823-5800. Closest AAA approved Motel to Cannon Mountain. Discounts to many local golf courses.

## 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.