Franconia Notch, NH, Guide and Information

It’s always delightful to see a town well preserved, one that has resisted the temptation of allowing the development of a formula store or restaurant, one that’s devoted to maintaining its character and authenticity without giving in to big-city or unsightly suburban ways. That’s Littleton, New Hampshire and it’s no wonder that this charming little town (named after Colonel Moses Little in 1770) is consistently listed as one of the best small towns in America by all kinds of publications. It has everything a small town needs to be alluring: a sweet setting alongside a river, an old mill, a covered bridge, an excess of historic buildings, white clapboard houses, traditional as well as hip and happening shops and restaurants, a vibrant arts scene and views of the White Mountains that you can hike into from town. Plus, the New Hampshirites here are super friendly.

Originally called Chiswick, which is Saxon for cheese farm, Littleton and the surrounding area are further enhanced by many lovely working farms. You can shop for their wonderful products such as produce, meats, prepared foods and yes, cheese at the Littleton Farmers Market from June through October. Purveyors of local crafts sell there as well. The Littleton Food Coop is also a great address for good foodstuffs. (Although member-owned, you don’t have to be a member to shop there.) Pick up fresh farm products year round outside of Littleton at Meadowstone Farm. They’re keeping with the Chiswick/Littleton tradition by making a superb goat cheese that would make the original cheesemakers of the area proud.

Named after Franconia, a region in Bavaria characterized by its alps, the Franconia Notch region of New Hampshire encompasses some of the most beautiful and highest mountains in the Northeast. And what’s a notch you might ask? In this case, it refers to a mountain pass, or a part of a mountain range that’s lower than the peaks surrounding it.

If you look on your Discovery Map, you see one specific area indicated along Interstate 93 where the views are spectacular for eight miles from Flume Gorge in the south to Echo Lake (a great place for swimming) in the north. Indeed, it took some doing to carve out this parkway through these magnificent White Mountains, yet in so doing it paved an even more significant path for tourism, now the primary activity in this section of north central New Hampshire. Mountains in this part of the world are blanketed with trees, ones that turn fabulous jewel-like colors in the fall. As much as this part of New England is lovely in every season, it’s truly stellar in autumn when the foliage is ablaze.

Franconia Notch, NH is located in the White Mountains. A destination area for New Englanders and folks from all around the nation, this picturesque spot invites people to hike, swim, ski, fish, run, bike and just absorb a raw and intense New England beauty that is invigorating and relaxing, at the same time.

The richness of New Hampshire and most importantly, New England history is vast, deep and filled with unique and accomplished personalities. Poets, writers, artists musicians, philosophers and more have been inhabiting the region since before the American Revolution. This old history combined with new and interesting perspectives on life makes the area’s culture interesting, insightful and diverse.

The Frost Place: The Frost place is one of the coolest little museums in the Franconia Notch area because it pays tribute to one of the great American Poets, Robert Frost. Perhaps no other poet embodies the truly unique qualities of the New England spirit and soul like Robert Frost. His poetry speaks to the cold and yet inviting ways of the woods and climate of the region and brings the landscape to life both in our minds and in our hearts. Learn more about Robert Frost and his legacy.