Dave's Guidebook
Food Scene
Great Dining, relaxing and family friendly game options are available in the downstairs Lounge, with outdoor seating in the summer and roaring fireplace in the fall and winter. The upstairs Dining Room provides an upscale menu in a rustic country inn atmosphere during the week. A dedicated "TV" room by the lounge offers a great place to catch major sporting events.
30 locals recommend
Franconia Inn
1172 Easton RdGreat Dining, relaxing and family friendly game options are available in the downstairs Lounge, with outdoor seating in the summer and roaring fireplace in the fall and winter. The upstairs Dining Room provides an upscale menu in a rustic country inn atmosphere during the week. A dedicated "TV" room by the lounge offers a great place to catch major sporting events.
One of New Hampshire's most popular breakfast and brunch spots, recently expanded and now open year round. Go on a clear day to take in one of the White Mountain's most iconic views. Call ahead to add your name to the seating list -- waits can be up to 3 hours during the peak seasons.
104 locals recommend
Polly's Pancake Parlor
672 Sugar Hill RdOne of New Hampshire's most popular breakfast and brunch spots, recently expanded and now open year round. Go on a clear day to take in one of the White Mountain's most iconic views. Call ahead to add your name to the seating list -- waits can be up to 3 hours during the peak seasons.
Perhaps the best restaurant in the White Mountains region. Especially good for a romantic meal after a day in the mountains. The small and and rustic dining room is staffed by the owners who prepare the food themselves. Be sure to call for a reservation.
16 locals recommend
Tim-Bir Alley
7 Main StPerhaps the best restaurant in the White Mountains region. Especially good for a romantic meal after a day in the mountains. The small and and rustic dining room is staffed by the owners who prepare the food themselves. Be sure to call for a reservation.
Great restaurant for the family -- extensive menu, festive atmosphere and a wide range of indoor and outdoor seating. For a great weekend evening night out, try an early meal here followed by a film or concert at the Colonial Theater.
65 locals recommend
Rosa Flamingos
2312 Main StGreat restaurant for the family -- extensive menu, festive atmosphere and a wide range of indoor and outdoor seating. For a great weekend evening night out, try an early meal here followed by a film or concert at the Colonial Theater.
Fantastic gem of a vegan/vegetarian coffee shop with great ties to the local area. Large menu of sandwiches, drinks, and baked goods. Be prepared to wait as the staff is small, the items made to order and the location extremely popular, especially mid-morning on the weekends.
36 locals recommend
The Maia Papaya
2161 Main StFantastic gem of a vegan/vegetarian coffee shop with great ties to the local area. Large menu of sandwiches, drinks, and baked goods. Be prepared to wait as the staff is small, the items made to order and the location extremely popular, especially mid-morning on the weekends.
Great fusion cuisine with a wide range of carefully prepared options including vegan and vegetarian entrees. Definitely make a reservation for weekend nights!
93 locals recommend
Gypsy Cafe
117 Main StGreat fusion cuisine with a wide range of carefully prepared options including vegan and vegetarian entrees. Definitely make a reservation for weekend nights!
Parks & Nature
Many of the highlights are mentioned in the guidebook, but an enjoyable daytime activity is to ride, run, or stroll the paved bike path that runs through the notch. The path runs for close to ten miles, and offers access to all the major sights and trailheads in the park.
117 locals recommend
Franconia Notch State Park
Daniel Webster HwyMany of the highlights are mentioned in the guidebook, but an enjoyable daytime activity is to ride, run, or stroll the paved bike path that runs through the notch. The path runs for close to ten miles, and offers access to all the major sights and trailheads in the park.
A beautiful and relaxing beach with incredible views of Eagle Cliffs and Franconia Ridge.
39 locals recommend
Echo Lake
A beautiful and relaxing beach with incredible views of Eagle Cliffs and Franconia Ridge.
One of the greatest hiking trails in the White Mountains. Very crowded on the weekends, though -- best to plan an early start.
Falling Waters Trail
Falling Waters TrailOne of the greatest hiking trails in the White Mountains. Very crowded on the weekends, though -- best to plan an early start.
A great moderate 4 mile hike (round trip) to impressive falls with many swimming holes along the way. Join the trail by walking down Parkview Drive, taking a left on Beechwood, following the road to its end at a cul-de-sac and entering a small trail that joins the main Bridal Veil Falls trail after about 50 yards. See the "Betty Davis" plaque by walking down to the brook when you see a wide ski trail lead up a slope on the left. Google "Betty Davis" and "Franconia" to find out the fascinating back story...
9 locals recommend
Bridalveil Falls
A great moderate 4 mile hike (round trip) to impressive falls with many swimming holes along the way. Join the trail by walking down Parkview Drive, taking a left on Beechwood, following the road to its end at a cul-de-sac and entering a small trail that joins the main Bridal Veil Falls trail after about 50 yards. See the "Betty Davis" plaque by walking down to the brook when you see a wide ski trail lead up a slope on the left. Google "Betty Davis" and "Franconia" to find out the fascinating back story...
A fantastic trail for kids who want a short adventure but are not ready for a long hike. A ten minute walk up a wide hiking trail ends with a fun scramble up granite slabs to a breathtaking summit and view. Trail head is at the back of the Cannon Mountain Ski area parking lot opposite the mountain (the main base lodge, not the Tram).
7 locals recommend
Bald Mountain
A fantastic trail for kids who want a short adventure but are not ready for a long hike. A ten minute walk up a wide hiking trail ends with a fun scramble up granite slabs to a breathtaking summit and view. Trail head is at the back of the Cannon Mountain Ski area parking lot opposite the mountain (the main base lodge, not the Tram).
Another great short hike for the whole family. Located across from the Echo lake parking lot by the interstate overpass. A five minute walk leads to steep rock steps along the Artists Bluff cliff face and ends with a dramatic entry onto the top of the cliff. The view is so impressive it was long ago captured by painters from the Albert Bierstadt/Hudson River Group.
41 locals recommend
Artist's Bluff Loop
2750 Profile RdAnother great short hike for the whole family. Located across from the Echo lake parking lot by the interstate overpass. A five minute walk leads to steep rock steps along the Artists Bluff cliff face and ends with a dramatic entry onto the top of the cliff. The view is so impressive it was long ago captured by painters from the Albert Bierstadt/Hudson River Group.
Although the main draw of "The Basin" is the short loop around the dramatic granite pools, you can park in the lot and follow the Basin Cascade Trail up the ridge from the loop. As you climb, you will find one pristine water fall after another, each one with an idyllic swimming hole and resting spot. A great place to swim, relax, and meander upwards on a hot day.
21 locals recommend
The Basin
Although the main draw of "The Basin" is the short loop around the dramatic granite pools, you can park in the lot and follow the Basin Cascade Trail up the ridge from the loop. As you climb, you will find one pristine water fall after another, each one with an idyllic swimming hole and resting spot. A great place to swim, relax, and meander upwards on a hot day.
Arts & Culture
A great film series and great bands that are on tour in Northeast. The summer calendar is available on the coffee table.
41 locals recommend
The Colonial Theatre
2050 Main StA great film series and great bands that are on tour in Northeast. The summer calendar is available on the coffee table.
Robert Frost lived and worked in Franconia for the early part of his career and his house has been converted to a museum. A poet in residence lives there throughout the summer and provides tours. Occasional readings performed by visiting writers also take place. The home is worth visiting for its view and the perspective on Frost's life and work it provides.
13 locals recommend
The Frost Place
158 Ridge RdRobert Frost lived and worked in Franconia for the early part of his career and his house has been converted to a museum. A poet in residence lives there throughout the summer and provides tours. Occasional readings performed by visiting writers also take place. The home is worth visiting for its view and the perspective on Frost's life and work it provides.
Shopping
Famous clothing line that started in Franconia. A small factory outlet is located next to the headquarters.
15 locals recommend
Garnet Hill Outlet Store
231 Main StFamous clothing line that started in Franconia. A small factory outlet is located next to the headquarters.
Drinks & Nightlife
Newly opened -- the owner ran a cult business out of a shed behind his house before finally opening this incredible place -- a necessary stop for any Beer connoisseur.
93 locals recommend
Rek-Lis Brewing Company
2085 Main StNewly opened -- the owner ran a cult business out of a shed behind his house before finally opening this incredible place -- a necessary stop for any Beer connoisseur.
Opened in September 2018, this Brewery is definitely worth checking out -- and only a short drive from the house.
39 locals recommend
Iron Furnace Brewing
115 Main StOpened in September 2018, this Brewery is definitely worth checking out -- and only a short drive from the house.
If you enjoy Belgian style micro-brews, this is your place. Great atmosphere and impressive location by the river near downtown Littleton.
146 locals recommend
Schilling Beer Co.
18 Mill StIf you enjoy Belgian style micro-brews, this is your place. Great atmosphere and impressive location by the river near downtown Littleton.
Local Grocery Stores
With a top-notch natural food store, a self-serve farm stand, and a convenient town market stocking local foods and products all within easy reach, there's no need to bring groceries from home.
A self-serve farm stand that stocks pasture-raised Beef as well as fresh greens, herbs, and seasonal vegetables. A great stop before an evening of grilling.
Pinestead Farm Lodge
2059 Easton RdA self-serve farm stand that stocks pasture-raised Beef as well as fresh greens, herbs, and seasonal vegetables. A great stop before an evening of grilling.
Great natural food store with a great array of organic produce and local products. Recently expanded.
55 locals recommend
Littleton Food Co-op
43 Bethlehem RdGreat natural food store with a great array of organic produce and local products. Recently expanded.
This local grocery is just 10 minutes from the house. It stocks excellent local products like cheese, produce and maple syrup in addition to all the household necessities. Also a great stop before a day of hiking, skiing, riding or exploring.
11 locals recommend
Franconia Market and Deli
347 Main StThis local grocery is just 10 minutes from the house. It stocks excellent local products like cheese, produce and maple syrup in addition to all the household necessities. Also a great stop before a day of hiking, skiing, riding or exploring.
Shaw's
625 Meadow StSightseeing
The Flume
Beautiful if crowded walk through an impressive gorge. Family friendly.
Riding the Tram to the top of Cannon Mountain in the summer is a great sightseeing option for those interested in amazing views but not interested in a long hike. Another option is riding the tram in one direction only and hiking either the high Cannon Trail or the Kinsman Ridge trail to or from Franconia Notch.
85 locals recommend
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway station
260 Tramway DrRiding the Tram to the top of Cannon Mountain in the summer is a great sightseeing option for those interested in amazing views but not interested in a long hike. Another option is riding the tram in one direction only and hiking either the high Cannon Trail or the Kinsman Ridge trail to or from Franconia Notch.
Chosen for the site of the world economic forum following World War II, this still-thriving hotel and resort is quite a spectacle on a clear day. A great place to go for a drink in the evening, if only to read more about the history, take in the grand main hall and see the alpenglow on Mt. Washington from the expansive back porch. If you are headed to the cog railway or to the trails of Crawford Notch, you will be in close proximity.
79 locals recommend
Omni Mount Washington Resort
310 Mount Washington Hotel RdChosen for the site of the world economic forum following World War II, this still-thriving hotel and resort is quite a spectacle on a clear day. A great place to go for a drink in the evening, if only to read more about the history, take in the grand main hall and see the alpenglow on Mt. Washington from the expansive back porch. If you are headed to the cog railway or to the trails of Crawford Notch, you will be in close proximity.