<p>I am going on a trip next week and am planning to see Maine, Quebec and Vermont. I am just now planning the Vermont stage of the trip and I noticed on the map that Hanover is near Vermont and near a lake and it appears that the Appalachian Trail goes right through or near it. I had planned to see no colleges on this trip (traveling with my 14 year old son) but I wonder if there is enough to see around Hanover to warrant a stop at Dartmouth so that he can see the campus. I don't think we'd want to necessarily take a tour -- but maybe. But I wouldn't want to go unless the area around there is compelling as this is not a "if it's Tuesday, it must be Harvard" trip. Thanks.</p>
<p>Better first check to see if it is Dartmouth reunion week, which is always sometime in June. Son and I wanted to see D during a college trip but couldn’t find a place to stay within 30 mile of Hanover during their reunion week. If you do get to Hanover be prepared to fall in love with the campus- it is gorgeous.</p>
<p>Thanks – good tip, I will check. We would get there after July 9.</p>
<p>reunion week will be over by then. You will be in the middle of sophomore summer, so there will be students on campus, living in the dorms, classes held, etc.</p>
<p>The area is compelling - if you are coming down 89 from Quebec, or traveling east on VT Route 4 (beautiful ride!) its incredibly easy to take the Hanover exit and drive up the hill to see the campus, mingle with students a little and take in the town and atmosphere for future reference. But since this is a vacation trip and your son is 14, you probably want to take in the area as well. As said, traveling through VT to NH on Rt. 4 is itself a pleasure. Plenty of sight-seeing. If you have enough time after visiting (or on your way to) Hanover, and the weahther cooperates, you might want to drive the lazy road along the Connecticut River, or see if you can rent a kayak or canoe and float down part of the river ([Ledyard</a> Canoe Club Rental Information](<a href=“Home”>Home)) or head on up to Mt. Moosilauke if you have enough time and hike to the top (on a clear day you can see VT, Canada, NY, Maine - endless mountain ridges, - its beautiful) [Mount</a> Moosilauke](<a href=“Dartmouth Outdoors”>Dartmouth Outdoors), or if you have less time, do a quick hike in nearby Norwich VT (just over the the river coming out of Hanover) to the Gile Mountain fire tower, which also offers a pretty great view [Gile</a> Mountain](<a href=“Dartmouth Outdoors”>Dartmouth Outdoors) for much less time investment - and the road to the firetower takes you down a quintessential charming VT country road.
Here is a link with a number of hikes in the vicinity if that is something you are interested in: [Hiking</a> at Dartmouth](<a href=“Dartmouth Outdoors”>Dartmouth Outdoors)</p>
<p>Thank you so much ohmadre. I will definitely look into this. Sounds fun!</p>
<p>YOu could drive south a bit on route 12A and visit Cornish and the beautiful home and studios of St. Gaudens (a sculptor of the Gilded AGe)-gorgeous place to walk around- a National Park. YOu could drive over one of the world’s longest covered bridges there too.</p>