Upper Valley Resources

Welcome to the Upper Valley, the greater community made up of the New Hampshire and Vermont towns that surround Tuck and Dartmouth.

The Upper Valley is known for its powerful beauty. Our community offers a wide range of year-round outdoor recreational activities as well as diverse social, cultural, and artistic communities. Situated near the Appalachian Trail, the area is renowned for its premier skiing, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. The following are some of our favorite things to explore, see and do.

Recreational Activities

The Upper Valley offers a great variety of seasonal sporting opportunities for the enthusiast, the beginner, or even the spectator. You’re bound to find something that appeals to you, even if it’s strolling along scenic roads and trails.

Winter in New England would not be complete without skiing and snowboarding. The Dartmouth Skiway offers season passes and lessons to students and partners at a discounted rate. Check out Ski NH for a great listing of New Hampshire ski resorts across the state, and Ski VT for Vermont resorts. Be sure to check out the Oak Hill Outdoor Center to learn more about local opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Tuck’s Skiing and Boarding Club organizes group ski days, a ski swap, and often a spring break trip.

The Dartmouth Outing Club is an amazing, year-round club that offers everything from hiking and cycling, to canoe trips, to rental equipment, to maintaining the Appalachian Trail. In warmer weather, Hanover features many great walking and running routes. The Ledyard Canoe Club, at the base of Tuck Drive, rents canoes and kayaks and offers lessons. Horseback riding is available at Dartmouth’s Morton Farm (603-646-1808). The recreation departments in Hanover and surrounding towns offer other outdoor activities, including classes and coaching opportunities in a variety of team sports.

Tuck and Dartmouth have many wonderful athletic facilities. Outside of the college community, you may enjoy the River Valley Club, a state-of-the-art gym, fitness center, and day spa in Lebanon, NH, that offers fitness classes, weight training, swimming, tennis, rock climbing, and other activities. Carter Community Building Association (CCBA) in downtown Lebanon, NH, has a weight room, stair-climbing machines, exercise bicycles, and an indoor pool. The Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction, VT, houses an 11 lane competition pool, indoor splash park, 110-foot water slide, and a fully-equipped gym. Finally, if you prefer to observe sports rather than participate, Dartmouth Athletics has a variety of teams that play great intercollegiate games year-round.

Arts and Museums

Right in our backyard are two great cultural resources: Dartmouth’s Hopkins Center for the Arts ("the Hop") and the Hood Museum of Art. The Hop offers seasonal performances of well-known and up-and-coming performers of all types. It also screens a quarterly film series. The Hood has a lot to offer as well, from traveling art exhibits to holiday events and special guest speakers.

Local Arts Organizations

• Lebanon Opera House
• Enfield Shaker Bridge Theater
• Artistree
• Northern Stage
• Parish Players

Local Museums

• Montshire Museum of Science
• Enfield Shaker Museum
• American Precision Museum
• Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
• Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

Additional Resources

• Upper Valley Business Alliance - Local chamber of commerce site for Hanover and beyond
• The Valley News - Upper Valley’s local daily newspaper
• The NH Almanac - Compiled by the New Hampshire State Library
• New Hampshire Tourism
• Vermont Tourism