Relax in the calm Hanover, VT, Connecticut

    Located near Lebanon, across from Vermont and in the Connecticut River Valley, is the thriving university town of Hanover with sweeping green and brick buildings.

The city is home to the much appreciated Dartmouth College established in this remote spot in the eighteenth century by the early colonists. The college was named after its first trustee, the second Earl of Dartmouth. Its purpose was to instruct both the Youth of Indian tribes and the colonists. Since then, the college has had a great importance in shaping the community and many brilliant minds were among its alumni: President Nelson Rockefeller, Robert Frost and Daniel Webster, just to name a few. All appreciated Dartmouth College as an important factor in the community’s culture and Daniel Webster’s words: “It is a small college, gentlemen, but there are those who love it” became the informal motto for its students.

If you visit the college you will be pleasantly surprised by the beautiful village green considered an an ideal destination for strolling and lounging and marking the border between college and town. You shouldn’t miss its greatest attraction: the small Hood Museum of Art displaying the works of great artists like Picasso and Monet alongside Assyrian bas-reliefs. And you can even watch an international art or a classic movie at the nearby cultural complex called the Dartmouth Film Society.

The city’s art scene includes murals by Latin American painter José Orozco that can be enjoyed at Dartmouth's Baker Memorial Library. He was the one who painted The Epic of American Civilization.

But this marvelous city has many other attractions in store that are waiting to be discovered. The best way to do it is to park your car (you might have some difficulty in doing it especially when the school is in session) and start exploring it the way you think will suit you best as you can chose from options like: biking, walking or canoeing as the city is an enjoyable place to wander around. You can also do it on your own, but it is recommended to either use a map of the campus or join a free guided tour that is especially available in summer. You will find information at the Hanover Inn, one of the best choices for accommodation, overlooking Dartmouth Green from the corner of Main and Wheelock streets.

Next to the Hanover Inn you will find the modern Hopkins Center for the Arts designed by the famous architect Wallace Harrison who also designed Lincoln Center in New York. The center includes a 900-seat concert hall where national acts are performed.

Hanover's downtown boasts endless shopping possibilities with excellent gift and clothing shops that can reign as the focal point for your sojourn any time of year. Among them are two outstanding bookstores that need to be mentioned: the Dartmouth Bookstore and the Left Bank Books. The first is a pleasant mix including a literature section, children's and travel books rooms and a newspaper and magazine selection anything you want in a bookstore is to be found here. The other bookstore is small but with a personal touch to it.

The most visited place around Hanover area is the Moose Mountain Lodge. It boasts an excellent view of Vermont and while in summer it feels like a secluded place in winter it comes alive together with the cross-country skiing

Hanover is the place that can fill any order, with lively places to eat and drink, plenty opportunities to relax, have an adventure, learn about art or just spend fun time with the kids.