Welcome to the Franconia Inn

New Hampshire's Most Unique and Charming Getaway

A Brief History

Shortly after the incorporation of the town of Franconia in 1772, Zebedee Applebee acquired the property upon which the Franconia Inn now stands and erected a homestead. Twelve years after it was built, the homestead would hold the first of an unbroken line of Town Meetings. Subsequent owners, Mr. & Mrs. Zara Thayer, worked the land as a farm and then sold it for a modest price to Mr. Henry Spooner in 1865. Meanwhile, General Lee had surrendered at Appomattox and though the nation's agony subsided, the Civil War had managed to invade the very center of Franconia life. Cannons used in the struggle were made at the Franconia Foundry which later reverted to the production of peaceful goods such as the famous Franconia stoves, kettles, and nails.

As America turned toward relaxation, a tradition was born. Mr. & Mrs. Spooner took in 'summer boarders' as did most other valley farmers. Each farmer/host had a private wagon with which to pick up guests at the Littleton railroad station, 9 miles to the north. These wagons also shuttled people so they could enjoy the beautiful scenery. Each June through mid-October, a steady flow of guests arrived and through the years Mr. Spooner and his son prospered. When Henry Spooner died, Edward and Gladys Mckenzie purchased the property. Their tradition of graciousness and hospitality drew not only the summer boarders but also the first mobile tourists. In January 1934, catastrophe struck. On a dreadfully cold night, a biting thirty-five below zero, Mckenzie's was consumed by fire. A new structure designed as a Country Inn was then built, and now it has grown to proudly welcome guests from all around the world!

In 1981 the Morris family acquired the Franconia Inn as their fourth vacation resort. Third generation innkeepers, Proprietors Richard and Alec Morris, enjoyed a long-standing, solid reputation for their excellence in hospitality, and their remarkably high standards of quality. Most recently, the Inn was purchased by the Ricciardelli family from Massachusetts who are working to preserve the efforts of the innkeepers before them, while bringing their own vision and energy to the property and guest experience.

Why Our Guests Love the Franconia Inn

The Franconia Inn truly has something for everyone. Join us for a lively Apres Ski in our pub after a long day on the slopes of Cannon Mountain, or curl up by the fire to read a good book. In the summer, you can spend the morning on a horseback riding excursion and lounge by the pool in the afternoon. We have some guests who we hardly see! They grab a quick breakfast and then head out for the day to hike one (or multiple) of New Hampshire's renowned "4000 Footers". On the flip side, some of our guests spend their day enjoying our on-site amenities like the library, screen porch, clay tennis courts, and game room. Here are some of the things you can look forward to while visiting the Franconia Inn:

• Couples
• "Sips and Sweets" package
• Horse-drawn sleigh rides
• Romantic dinners
• Romantic getaway in our "Inn Suite"
• Outdoor Adventurers
• Mountain biking
• Horseback riding
• Glider rides at the Franconia Soaring Center
• Skiing at Cannon Mountain
• Cross-country skiing
• Ziplining at Alpine Adventures
• Families
• One of our Family Suites
• Local attractions such as Clark's Bears, Chutters Candy Store, and Whale's Tale Water Park
• Hiking in Franconia Notch State Park
• Ice skating and snow tubing
• Tennis
• Swimming at Echo Lake
• Locals
• Open Mic Night every Thursday
• Apres Ski on Saturdays in the winter
• Events such as our New England Art Gallery
• Line dancing and yoga
• Pool and tennis memberships
• Cocktail Club (coming soon!)

Regardless of how you choose to spend your day in the White Mountains, everyone will enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal in the evening. Our beautiful dining room has intimate candlelit tables and a spectacular view of the White Mountain landscape. Our award-winning "Elegant American Cuisine" is sure to please even the most discriminating diners! Peaks Pub offers a casual and comfortable retreat from the outdoors. Kick back by the fire while you enjoy a draft beer, handcrafted cocktail, pub food, or something from our seasonal menus.

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If you love the Franconia Inn and the White Mountains, subscribe to our blog for travel tips, Inn updates, and special offers. For more information, check out our website to learn more about the Inn or to book your stay with us. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Franconia Inn!