Franconia, NH Road Trips

1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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.

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.

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.

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.