Looking for a sophisticated college town that’s also full of outdoor charm? I say, head to Hanover, New Hampshire! I’ve been and totally fell for the vibe—think Ivy League meets scenic trails and cozy New England streets. You’ll find Dartmouth College at the heart of it all, and whether you’re catching a student performance, kayaking on the river, or hiking the Appalachian Trail, Hanover hits that perfect balance of brains and beauty. I think you’ll love how grounded and friendly it feels, even with its academic roots.
Best Time to Visit
In my experience, May through October is the best stretch to enjoy Hanover. You get warm days perfect for hiking, exploring campus, or paddling the Connecticut River. And if you come in fall—wow, the foliage is incredible. I once visited in late October and felt like I had stepped into a postcard. If you’re more of a winter person, I’ve also done cross-country skiing nearby, and there are ski slopes not far off. Just pack layers and you’re good to go.
How to Get There
- Driving in? I’ve taken both NH Route 120 and I-89—it’s a scenic 2.5-hour drive from Boston and about 1.5 hours from Concord. I love rolling through the hills on the way in, especially in the fall.
- Flying? If you want something close, I’ve flown into Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB)—it’s just 10 minutes away and makes getting here a breeze. For bigger flight options, Boston Logan (BOS) is a solid choice, especially if you don’t mind the drive afterward.
- Prefer the bus? I’ve used the Dartmouth Coach a couple of times, and it’s super reliable. It gets you straight from Boston or NYC to Hanover—no stress, no car needed. Great if you want to relax or catch up on reading.
Where to Stay
- Hanover Inn Dartmouth – I stayed here on my first trip and felt completely immersed in the Dartmouth experience. It’s historic, elegant, and right on the Green—you’ll get lovely views and walkability to everything.
- Six South St Hotel – This boutique spot is great if you want something stylish and modern. I loved being right downtown and being able to pop out for coffee or campus events without needing the car.
- Element Hanover – Lebanon – I stayed here once for a longer trip and really appreciated the extra space and eco-friendly touches. If you’re planning on hiking or exploring outside of town, it’s a great base. You’ll also be close to shopping and other nearby towns.
Top Attractions
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a world-renowned university that’s part of the famed Ivy League. Located just across the road from the Hanover Inn, it’s easy for visitors to take a few hours and explore the historic campus. The private liberal arts Dartmouth College is set on more than 250 acres of land, surrounded by scenic landscapes, winding rivers, and the White Mountains. Activities on the campus include taking a tour of the buildings, rooting for Dartmouth’s Big Green at one of the exciting athletics events, playing a round of golf at the Hanover Country Club, and skiing at the Dartmouth Skiway. Stay at the historic Hanover Inn featuring colonial-style rooms, fitness center, wine bar and other great amenities.
Hanover, NH 03755, Phone: 603-646-1110
Hood Museum of Art
When it was accredited in 1990, the Hood Museum of Art was considered to be an excellent example of university and college museums. The collection art features at the art museum includes a wide variety of media types, time periods, and cultures. The Hood Museum of Art has also undergone a renovation and physical expansion in order to provide additional galleries, object-study classrooms, and much more. Art exhibits at the museum include displays of sculpture, ceramics, print and photography, paintings, and mixed media. The Hood Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and there is no admission fee.
6 E Wheelock St, Hanover, NH 03755, Phone: 603-646-2808
Baker-Berry Library at Dartmouth College
The Baker-Berry Library at Dartmouth College first opened its doors back in 1928 with funds from George Fisher Baker with a collection of 240,000 volumes. Visitors can take a look at the College History Room, a permanent exhibit at the main hall’s west end. The room features portraits of the College’s presidents and a replica of the Dartmouth College charter, as well as changing exhibitions of photographs and documents. The Baker-Berry Library also includes the Woodward Room on the building’s Mezzanine level, dedicated to the College’s first professor of natural philosophy and mathematics and its first librarian.
6025 Baker-Berry Library, Hanover, NH 03755, Phone: 603-646-2567
Murphy's On The Green
Established in 1992 as a simple pub, Murphy's On The Green has transformed over the years in both its gastronomy and appearance into the polished casual restaurant it is today. Stephen Dow, the Executive Chef of Murphy’s On The Green, is a Hanover native who has worked with his time since 2008 to uplift the pub’s culinary program, incorporating a strong bond with purveyors and farms in the Upper Valley. The menu features appetizers and salads, signature main dishes, burgers, and sandwiches. There’s also a good selection of beer, wine, and signature cocktails that pair well with the menu.
11 S Main St, Hanover, NH 03755, 603-643-4075
If you are traveling with kids:
Red Rolfe Field at Biondi Park
Located on the campus of Dartmouth College, the Red Rolfe Field at Biondi Park is the home field of the Big Green baseball team of Dartmouth College, which is a team in the county’s NCAA Division I Ivy League. The Red Rolfe Field stadium is able to hold around two thousand spectators for baseball games and the field is named after Red Rolfe, former player for the New York Yankees, Dartmouth Class of 1931, and the athletic director at Dartmouth from 1954 until 1967. The Red Rolfe Field at Biondi Park was ranked by Eric Sorenson as Division I baseball’s third best small venue.
Crosby Street, Hanover, NH 03755, Phone: 603-646-1110
Nugget Theater
The Nugget Theate is a quaint movie theater with just four screens that shows new releases. The movie house first opened its doors back in 1916 in a very simple setting, but today, the Nugget Theater now shows movies in 3D and is fully digital, just like its much larger competitors. For anyone wanting to catch a movie at the Nugget Theater in Hanover, New Hampshire, the movies and times are updated on Tuesdays and can be checked either on the movie theater’s website or in the theater’s weekly Tuesday email. Tickets can be purchased in advance online.
57 South Main St, Hanover, NH 03755, Phone: 603-643-2769
Storrs Pond Recreation Area
Offering an array of outdoor recreation opportunities for the entire family, the Storrs Pond Recreation Area is located near downtown Hanover and serves as the community's premier outdoor destination.
The recreation area (open seasonally) can be easily accessed from Interstate 91 and Interstate 89 and consists of covered pavilions, tennis courts, heated swimming pool, sandy swimming beaches, a thirteen-acre pond, and scenic woodlands. Visitors can also cool off at the splash pad during the summer months, take a hike along the trails, play a game of disc golf, or camp at one of more than a dozen RV sizes and tent campsites.
59 Oak Hill Dr, Hanover, NH 03755, 603-643-2134
Where to Eat
Lou's Restaurant and Bakery
Lou's Restaurant and Bakery in the city of Hanover, New Hampshire has been a tradition in the local community since the year 1947. The local eatery serves its breakfast menu all day and offers weekly specials, along with operating a full-service bakery. The “certified green” Lou’s Restaurant and Bakery proudly offers a variety of farm-to-table foods, care packages for students at Dartmouth College, and full-service catering. Both breakfast and lunch dishes are served throughout the entire day, as well as donuts, pies, and cakes.
30 S. Main St. Hanover, NH 03755, Phone: 603-643-3321
Jesse's Steak and Seafood
Originally a dinner house inside of a log cabin, Jesse's Steak and Seafood was founded by Patty and Marc Milowsky back in 1976, consisting of a bar area that could seat 40 people and a dining room that could seat 86 guests. The atmosphere was something like the Victoria Old West. Since then, an outdoor deck, the Adirondack Lodge, a brick patio, and a greenhouse has been added to the restaurant. Jesse’s has become known for house-aged and hand-cut steaks, homemade Sequoia bread, a lively tavern atmosphere, and one of the best happy hours within the Upper Valley.
7 Blue Sky Drive, Hanover, NH 03755, Phone: 603-643-4111
For art fans:
Hopkins Center for the Arts
Established in 1962, the Hopkins Center for the Arts was designed by the same architect behind New York CIty’s renowned Lincoln Center, Wallace Harrison. Every year, the Hopkins Center hosts more than one hundred theater productions, concerts, film screenings, and live performances, as well as hosting studio art exhibitions, student workshops, dance ensembles, and music ensembles, including the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra and the Dartmouth College Gospel Choir. Home to Dartmouth College’s music and drama departments, the Hopkins Center for the Arts is also easily accessible for guests at the Hanover Inn thanks to its location right next door.
2 East Wheelock Street, Hanover, NH 03755, Phone: 603-646-2422
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