North America’s first aerial tramway — and, for fall 2026, in its final season. Ten minutes to a 4,080-foot summit and a four-state view of the color.
- —The first passenger aerial tramway in North America (1938), in Franconia Notch State Park.
- —A roughly ten-minute ride to the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain — on clear days, four states and Canada.
- —2026 is the historic tram’s final foliage season; its last day of operation is Sunday, October 26.
What is it?
The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway carries you from the floor of Franconia Notch to the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain in under ten minutes. The two cars — everyone calls them Ketchup and Mustard — have been a White Mountains fixture since 1938, when this became the first passenger aerial tramway in North America. From the top, on a clear day, you can see the mountain ranges of four states and into Canada.
Why go?
Because it’s the one paid experience on the Kancamagus–Franconia drive that’s genuinely worth it — and, in 2026, it won’t be here much longer. The state is retiring the historic tram after this season (its last day is Sunday, October 26), with a new system in the planning stages, so this is the final autumn to ride the original. There’s nothing like watching the notch go gold from a cable car. Book online ahead to guarantee a spot.
- Where: Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire (at the west end of the Kancamagus drive).
- Heads up: 2026 is the historic tram’s final season — last day Sunday, October 26.
- The ride: about ten minutes to the 4,080-ft summit; four-state views on clear days.
- Pair with: Flume Gorge (same park) and the Kancamagus Highway.
