Tuck, Dartmouth, and Hanover are a part of the broader Upper Valley community—an area of towns along the Connecticut River in Vermont and New Hampshire. Known for its incredible natural beauty, the Upper Valley is also home to craft cocktails that utilize local ingredients, small villages straight out of Gilmore Girls, delectable food from all around the world, and countless outdoor activities for all ages and skill levels.
We asked Tuck students and staff to share their Upper Valley recommendations—from where to find free s’mores to the best view of campus.
Dia Draper, Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Red Kite Candy Shop! First, I love the candy, the sea salt caramels are my absolute favorite, but there’s no such thing as a bad choice here and they make great gifts in their cute bags and boxes. The owner Elaine McCabe is whip-smart, and she has a fantastic story of grit, resilience, and pursuing your dreams. Oh, and ice cream. They have ice cream. What more could you want?
(photo: Phil Barta)
Phil Barta, Executive Director, Tuck Executive Education
Just north of Norwich, beyond the Union Village Dam Recreation Area, is the town of Strafford. Back off the town’s gravel roads, are great hiking trails—Whitcomb Hill, the twelve-mile Cross-Town Trail, the 900+ acre Podunk Wildlife Area—and beautiful Miller Pond, with easy launch for canoes and paddle boards.
Nearby Tunbridge is also a great town to poke around, especially during the Tunbridge World’s Fair in mid-September. The beer tent serves the local Brocklebank Freedom & Unity, or you can visit the rustic craft pub on Friday afternoons and Saturdays when they host a Celtic band.
Reilly Klein T’24
Food:
Drinks:
(photo: Sydney Reichert)
Sydney Reichert T’24
Cross-country skiing at Green Woodlands is awesome. You can borrow skis for free there and then hang out at the fire pit by the lake when you’re done to enjoy the endless supply of hot chocolate and s’mores (also free)!
Dia Draper, Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
While it’s a short drive away across the river, I enjoy the casual vibe of the Watson Dog Park. There is an enclosure for big dogs and one for smaller pups. What I like about it is that it’s a way to get out of Hanover and meet other local dog lovers and fur parents. There’s also a big field and a playground at the site that gives folks with kids some options for getting fresh air, and if your pup is well-behaved, it is a fun field for fetch, frisbee, and training.
(photo: Julia Levine D’23)
Rob Leet T’24
The Mount Cardigan Loop Trail—a moderate route totaling 3.1 miles roundtrip—is well worth the views once you get to the top of Mount Cardigan. Most hikes in New Hampshire and Vermont during the fall season are absolutely gorgeous with all of the leaves changing colors. Just make sure to dress warm, the air gets cold and windy at the top!
Also rent a kayak or paddleboard at Ledyard Canoe Club. The Connecticut River is still warm(ish) in the late summer/early fall months. Enjoy the river before it freezes!
Kristin Roth, Associate Director, Evaluation Admissions
Katie’s Cookies are deliciously oversized cookies that make you think of home and bring a smile to your face! Who doesn’t love Cookie Monster?
(photo: Robert Gill)
Lisa Tedeschi, Executive Director, Undergraduate Programs
Take a guided tour of the Baker Library bell tower. Learn about the history of the bells while getting some steps in. Plus, the view of the Dartmouth campus from above is the best in town!
Check out the local farmers markets: Lebanon (Thursdays) and Norwich (Saturdays). Support small local businesses and enjoy fresh food—from samosas to cheese, and much more!
Kayanat Paracha, Associate Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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