Things to Do and Places to Eat
Family Weekend 2025
Classes of ’26 and ’29 Students and Families
Whether you’re exploring the campus, Hanover, or the entire Upper Valley this weekend, we’ve got your guide to get the most from your visit. From Big Green athletics, hiking, apple picking, to curling up with a book and a coffee or enjoying a cruller at Lou’s Bakery, there’s something for the whole family on campus and beyond.
Things to Do
Hiking and Outdoor Recreation
- Natural Areas on and Around Campus
- Dartmouth Outdoors
- Quechee Gorge
- Moosilauke Ravine Lodge: Owned by Dartmouth, a new lodge was completed in 2017 with amazing architecture, decor, and views of the mountain. The lodge is open to the public for rooms and meals for the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
- Appalachian Trail
- Northern Rail Trail
- Explore other hikes long and short in Vermont and New Hampshire
- Upper Valley Land Trust
Museum, Arts & Culture
Participate in religious services in the Hanover community.
Visit the Upper Valley Business Alliance website for more ideas and places to explore, as well as places to eat, in addition to the suggestions listed below.
Grab a bite to eat
We planned the weekend with Friday and Saturday night dinners as free time so that you can enjoy your visit with your student and other families. If you haven’t already done so, we suggest you make dinner reservations for both evenings.
On Campus
The Class of 1953 Commons (aka “FOCO”) is open for dinner Friday and Saturday night from 4–8:30 p.m. for families—no reservation required. Students on a meal plan can use their guest passes, or families can pay at the door for all-you-care to eat. Families are also welcomed to enjoy the dining hall for lunch on Friday and Sunday.
In Hanover
- Base Camp Café
- Boloco
- Casa Brava Tapas Bistro (located at Six South Street Hotel)
- Dunk’s Sports Grill
- Han Fusion
- Jesse’s Steaks, Seafood & Tavern
- Jewel of India
- Little Havana
- Lou’s Restaurant and Bakery
- Molly’s Restaurant
- Murphy’s on the Green
- The Nest Kitchen & Café
- Pine Restaurant (located in the Hanover Inn)
- Ramunto’s Brick and Brew
- Sawtooth Kitchen, Bar and Stage
- Still North Books & Bar
- Sushiya
- Tacos Y Tequila
- Tuk Tuk Thai Cuisine
- Umpleby’s Bakery Café
- The Works Café
In the Surrounding Area
As we all know, the charm of Hanover is its small size. On weekends with lots of visitors, such as Family Weekend, it can be a challenge to accommodate everyone only at the restaurants in Hanover. We encourage you to explore and check out the array of restaurants in surrounding towns—a great way to see other spots in the Upper Valley!
Moosilauke Ravine Lodge will be offering family style dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Reservations are required—please call 603-764-5858 between the hours of 11 a.m.–5 p.m. ET.
Here are some towns within a 30-minute drive from campus:
New Hampshire
Andover
Claremont
Enfield
Lebanon
Lyme
New London
Newport
West Lebanon
Vermont
Bridgewater Corners
Brownsville
Fairlee
Norwich
Royalton
Rutland
White River Junction
Windsor
Woodstock
Have questions?
Contact Kay Reynolds, Associate Director, Family Relations and Engagement, at
dartmouth.families@dartmouth.edu or (603) 646-3549.
