The first of its kind in North America, the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is a popular attraction in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire. But with so many things to do in the area, you may be wondering if it’s worth your time and money.
Well you’ve come to the right place! As someone who’s experienced the Tramway, I’m here to tell you all about it, including if I think it’s worth adding to your itinerary, who it’s best for, what to expect, and some helpful tips to know before visiting.
So with that, let’s get started!
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What Exactly Is The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway?
So, first thing’s first – the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is a cable car that takes visitors to the summit of Cannon Mountain, which is located in Franconia Notch State Park. And as mentioned in the intro, it was the very first in North America when it made its debut in 1939.
The summit of Cannon Mountain reaches over 4,000 feet, and offers views of the surrounding mountain vistas.
Is The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway Worth It?
In my opinion, the Tramway is worth it for most people because the views at the summit are truly spectacular. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of Echo Lake Beach, as well as the famous Artists Bluff Trail, Franconia Notch State Park, and 360° landscapes of the entire region. On a clear day, you can see New Hampshire (of course!), Vermont, Maine, New York, and even Canada, so you can imagine how wonderful it is to have that experience.
That said, the Tramway is kind of pricey. As of 2023, adult ticket prices are $28 for a round trip ride, and kids 6-12 are $23, so for a family of four, or a group in general, this could add up very fast. If it works with your budget, this is a fantastic thing to do during your visit to the White Mountains, and it’ll create some wonderful memories (and pictures!).
But knowing that the Tramway could be cost-prohibitive for many folks, I think it’s best for those who can’t necessarily take a hike to enjoy views from a summit or overlook. So, for those with mobility issues, disabilities, or just very young children, this is a great way to enjoy those sweeping mountain views from a mountain peak.
The Tramway, overall, is a really cool experience, even if just to say that you rode on the very first of its kind in North America. At the entrance, you’ll get to see the very first cable car that made its way to the summit, and during the fall season, the foliage views are absolutely incredible.
But if it just doesn’t work with your budget – I hear you! You can either choose to hike to the top, or do another hike around the Franconia State Park area that offers similar views. This will, of course, be much cheaper!
Overall, I think it’s worth it – if it works with your budget.
Is Flume Gorge Or The Tramway Better?
Flume Gorge is another popular attraction in Franconia Notch State Park, and they’re very close to one another. You may be wondering if it’s worth doing both, and I do recommend both!
Much like the Tramway, Flume Gorge is a paid attraction and the cost can add up quickly if you’re traveling with a group or family. Ticket prices are a bit cheaper to Flume Gorge, though, and Flume Gorge is a self-guided 2-mile scenic hike, which features idyllic covered bridges, a natural granite gorge you walk through, and beautiful overlooks.
For that reason, I slightly prefer Flume Gorge because I feel like you get a bit more for your money. But they’re also very different attractions, and the Tramway requires a lot more staff and maintenance, so I completely understand why it’s the more expensive one to visit between the two.
I have an entire post on if Flume Gorge is worth visiting, so be sure to check that out if you need more information, or help deciding if you should see both.
Tips For Visiting The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
1. There’s Plenty Of Parking
And, parking is free! This is something you won’t have to worry about. Having been on a very busy day during peak foliage season, I had no problem finding a parking spot.
2. You Save Money By Purchasing Tickets Online Ahead Of Time
I highly recommend buying your tickets online before you visit to save $3 per ticket because that savings can really add add up! This will also allow you to ensure you get the time slot you want for your visit, as you must select a 1-hour arrival window when you purchase your tickets.
On a side note, you want to be sure you arrive within that time slot on your ticket. During busy times, they may not be able to accommodate you if you’re late.
Bonus Tip: Kids 5 & Under Are Free
Just make sure you add them to your reservation when booking online! This is a great way to save a few bucks if you’re planning a visit with younger children, but because they only allow a certain number of people to visit during each hour, you still need to let them know if you have kids 5 and under in your group – they just won’t cost anything, which is great!
3. You’ll Be Sharing The Car With Others
Each car holds about 80 people, so it’s very rare that you’ll get a car all to yourself. Just know going into it that you’ll be sharing the car with lots of other people.
One tip I have for you is to not be shy about squeezing your way to a window view once you’re inside the car – as long as it’s reasonably possible, of course. The car is pretty big and spacious, but people tend to spread out along the perimeter because, well … that’s where the best views are. And those views during the ride are part of the experience! When I’ve ridden the Tramway, I’ve found that I really had to wiggle my way over to a window view, even though there was plenty of room. Don’t be shy, and just be polite about it – it’s worth it 😉
However, if you get some bad luck, and are one of the last people to board, there’s a chance you may get stuck in the middle during the ride. Fear not! You can still kind of see the window views from the middle (this happened to be once during the ride up). Also, there’s a very good chance that you’ll get a better view on your way back down – always remember you have two chances since your ticket includes a ride up, and a ride down.
4. The Car Runs Every 15 Minutes
Unlike gondolas that are constantly rotating, the Tramway cars only run every 15 minutes, and they both run at the exact same time. Meaning the car that’s on its way up the mountain, and the car on its way down the mountain, have to depart at the same time, so this requires a bit of planning.
If you happen to be ready to leave the summit, and a car just left, you may have to wait another 15 minutes for the next one. If it’s very crowded that day, you may not even fit in the next one, and you’ll have to wait another 15 minutes.
All that to say – plan accordingly, and leave yourself plenty of time to get back down the mountain, especially if it’s busy that day.
5. The Ride Takes About 8-10 Minutes Each Way
It’s actually a pretty quick ride up to the summit at only 8-10 minutes long! And the fun thing is, the car operators are wonderful guides that point out areas of interest on your way up and down the mountain, so be sure to pay attention to learn about your surroundings.
6. There’s A Bit Of A Swing During The Ride
Overall, the ride on the Tramway is very smooth, but toward the middle to end of the ride, there’s a slight swing that happens that could cause you to lose balance. It’s not significant, but you’ll definitely notice it.
The car operators give you a head’s up on when it happens, so be sure to listen so you know when to grab onto something.
7. You Can Spend As Much Time As You Want At The Summit
Well, at least until the last car is scheduled to depart for the day 😉 Even though your entry is timed with a 1-hour window, you don’t have to leave by a certain time. You could technically take the first car up, and the last car down.
That said, you can really get your money’s worth out of your trip by having lunch at the top (but more on that later). Just be sure to make sure you know when the last car down is, of course!
8. You’ll Have To Hike Another 15 Minutes To The Observation Tower
Once you arrive at the summit, the panoramic deck is right there, and requires no further hiking or walking. However, there’s also a very cool observation tower that offers a fantastic view, but this requires about a 15-minute walk/hike.
I wouldn’t really consider it a hike, as it’s pretty flat for the most part, but the path is narrow and rocky, so I do recommend having sturdy footwear if you plan to walk to the tower. There are also some scenic overlooks along the path, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled along the way – most of them are to your left as you’re walking to the tower.
9. There Are Bathrooms & A Cafeteria At The Top
Remember how I mentioned you could spend a few hours at the summit, and even have lunch? Well, they make it pretty easy to do that because there’s a cafeteria and bathrooms up there. I haven’t personally eaten at the cafeteria, but you can grab everything from burgers and hot dogs, to coffee and light snacks.
They also have seating inside the cafeteria, as well as picnic tables outside on the observation deck. I mean, your lunch view won’t get much better than that on your trip, right?
Pro Tip: The cafeteria and bathrooms usually close down around 4pm, so you’ll want to plan accordingly if you take a later car up.
10. You’ll Need Your Ticket To Get Back Down
You’ll want to make sure you keep your ticket handy during your visit, even once you’re at the summit because you’ll need it to get back down. I don’t remember anyone telling me that during my visit (unless I missed it!), so be sure not to lose it. I kept mine in a zipped up pocket in my jacket, and I was so thankful I had it handy because many folks were scrambling looking for theirs upon boarding to head back down.
11. The New England Ski Museum Is Right There, Too
One bonus to visiting the Tramway is that the New England Ski Museum is in the same place, so you can easily visit both in the same trip. The museum is small, but it’s packed with very cool exhibits that you may find interesting, even if you’re not into skiing.
Inside the museum, you’ll find a permanent exhibit, a rotating exhibit that changes each year, Bode Miller’s Olympic medals, and wonderful re-tellings of the history of skiing as a sport.
Also, the museum is completely free!
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway FAQ
How Much Time Do You Need To Experience The Tramway?
In general, I would say budgeting 2 hours is perfect. This will account for time waiting in line for the next car if you can’t hop on the one loading (for both going up and down the mountain), as well as time to enjoy the observation deck, walk to the tower, and just not feel rushed.
However, if you want to have lunch up on the deck and spend more time on the trails around the summit, I would budget more times based on your plans. But 2 hours is usually enough for most people.
When Is The Tramway Open?
The Tramway is a seasonal activity, and is only open late-May through mid-October. If you happen to visit the White Mountains region outside of these times, the Tramway will be closed.
Best Time Of Year To Visit The Tramway
Personally, I think early October is the best time to visit, as that’s when peak foliage happens in the White Mountains region. The view at the top is gorgeous at any time, really, but imagine it draped in blankets of reds and oranges 🙂
Fall foliage is the busiest time for the Tramway, though, so while it’s worth it, just know there will likely be longer wait times to hop on a car.
Does The Tramway Close Due To Weather?
It might, but it does operate in rain and very cloudy weather. So, you may want to prepare for the fact that your views at the summit could be less than ideal.
This happened to me once, where it was completely cloudy at the top, and I couldn’t see anything! Thankfully, after waiting about 10 minutes the clouds and fog cleared a bit in one direction, and I could see quite a bit from the top – but half of my view was still so foggy there was zero visibility in that direction.
If the Tramway does need to close due to severe weather, they will issue refunds. But they don’t issue refunds for poor visibility or rain.
Are Pets Allowed On The Tramway?
No, pets are not permitted on the Tramway.
What Other Attractions Are Near The Tramway?
The Tramway is in a great location inside Franconia Notch State Park, and is close by to a lot of other things to do!
I already mentioned Flume Gorge, but that’s probably the one other thing I would most recommend doing nearby. You can easily see both of these in the same day.
But you could also consider visiting Echo Lake Beach, hiking the Artist Bluff trail, seeing The Basin, visiting the cute town of Littleton, visiting Robert Frost’s House, and tons more scenic hiking trails are at your fingertips inside the park!
More posts you may find helpful:
- New Hampshire In The Fall: The Best Foliage Spots & Things To Do
- Where To Stay In New Hampshire In The Fall
- Best Places To Stay In The White Mountains: Towns & Hotels!
- Awesome Things To Do In Franconia, NH
- Fun Things To Do In Lincoln, NH
- Fun Things To Do In Littleton, NH
That’s A Wrap On The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
And there you have it! Hopefully you now feel ready to decide if the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is worth a visit during your trip to the White Mountains. I was very impressed with the views at the summit, and really enjoyed the short walk to the Observation Tower, too. Overall, I loved my visit, and if it works with your budget, it’s most definitely worth while.
