Hanover is a small community in New Hampshire whose main attraction is Dartmouth College, the ninth oldest college in the United States. One of eight ivy league institutions in the country, Dartmouth lies furthest north and began as a religious experiment in spreading a Christian education to the Abenaki Indians in 1769.
The towns of Hanover and Lebanon form the nuclei of the Upper Valley region along the Connecticut River in the heart of New Hampshire. The region crosses the Connecticut River into Vermont, establishing a kinship between the two states.
The region is characterized by conjoining foothills from the White and Green Mountains and farmlands running along the Connecticut River. At the heart the region on the New Hampshire side is Hanover and Lebanon, two towns of rather different backgrounds and personalities. While Hanover is an ivy-league college town, Lebanon is a more blue-collar society with shops and industries that dominate the scene.
Dartmouth College provides the main attraction of the area ? specifically: Baker Library, Hood Museum of Art, and Hopkins Center for the Performing Arts. But, given the terrain of the region, the best part of an Upper Valley vacation is enjoying the environment itself.
While the area is easily accessible by car, train, and plane, it is still a "wild" place where conservation and environmental concerns rule the rouse. There is an abundance of woodlands, hills and waterways that bless the region with beauty and tranquility and a variety of charming communities dotted along the way, from cozy hamlets to fancy resorts.
Fun is everywhere in Upper Valley. Figure skating, hockey, all types of skiing, golf, tennis, boating, hiking, canoeing, swimming, biking, equestrian arts, fishing, camping and snowmobiling are all very popular here. And, there are excellent facilities for each in the area.
Hanover and Lebanon are located at the heart of the Upper Valley region along the banks of the Connecticut River.