Upper Valley / Dartmouth - DHMC / Lake Sunapee / Okemo / Woodstock Region

This dynamic region is actually comprised of two population centers, the Upper Valley/Woodstock to the north, along the Connecticut River; and the Lake Sunapee Region to the southeast. The Upper Valley is cradled in the hills and valleys along the Connecticut River. At its center is the "Tri-Town" area: Hanover and Lebanon, New Hampshire and White River Junction, Vermont. The Lake Sunapee region centers around the Lake and its environs: Grantham, the Eastman community, New London, Newport, Claremont and, of course, Sunapee itself. This is an active vacation, as well as year-round community.

The Upper Valley Landscape

Coming into this area via two interstates (I-89 and I-91) or by air, bus or train, one is struck first by the uplifting physical beauty, with serene rolling hills, acres of unspoiled forest and open fields, and beckoning lakes and waterways. A certain vitality is also evident in the thriving business districts as well as the quaint outlying village settings. The New England ways dominate here; political life is still conducted by the Town Meeting process; winding country lanes are sprinkled with bountiful produce stands and antique shops; the late winter forests are dotted with maple syrup buckets. The simpler, rural way of life is celebrated each autumn as a blaze of brilliant color blankets the rolling landscape.

Education

The Upper Valley takes great pride in its educational facilities. Academic life focuses on Ivy League Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, along with its three graduate schools (Dartmouth Medical School, Tuck Business School, Thayer School of Engineering) and Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH. Lebanon College, Community College of Vermont and the University of NH's School of Lifelong Learning, both located in Lebanon, NH provide top-rate continuing education for adults. Area high schools and elementary schools have been nationally cited for excellence. Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH and Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, NH are among New England's finest private schools.

Cultural Activities

One of the greatest attractions to, and rewards of living in the Upper Valley is its wealth of cultural opportunities. Dartmouth College in Hanover offers the Hopkins Center for Performing and Creative Arts. "The Hop", as it is commonly known, features a wide variety of musical, theatrical, film and fine art events and exhibits. Adjoining is the Hood Museum of Art, with its permanent collection of art from around the world and ongoing special exhibits. Across the River in Norwich, VT, the Montshire Museum of Science provides educational facilities for everyone from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. St. Gaudens, a National Historic Site in Cornish, NH, was once the summer home of sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens. Each summer, amidst lovely gardens, the Site is host to sculpture workshops, exhibits, and classical concerts.

The area also boasts a myriad of fine theatre groups, art galleries, movie theatres, musical events, contra-dancing and crafts fairs. And even the most discerning gourmet will delight in the many fine restaurants, some touting national acclaim.

Recreation

The outdoorsperson flourishes in this area of New Hampshire and Vermont. The mountains and waterways provide ample opportunity for hiking, biking, hunting, camping, boating, fishing, horseback riding, tennis, swimming, cross-country skiing and skating. The Appalachian Trail winds through the heart of the area. Skiing for beginners and pros is nearby from almost anywhere--at the Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme, NH, or at Whaleback in Lebanon, NH, and it's only a short drive to such prestigious areas as Killington, Pico Peak, Ascutney Mountain, Mount Sunapee or Loon Mountain, to name a few.

Golfers enjoy several top-quality golf courses in Hanover, Eastman and Lebanon, NH; and Woodstock, Quechee and Bradford, VT. State Parks and government property, such as the Mount Sunapee State Park in Sunapee, NH, and the Union Village Recreation Area in Thetford, VT are open for family enjoyment.

Of course, this represents just a few of the many recreational opportunities in the area. Whether your pleasure is ballooning or billiards, you can find it here in the Upper Valley!

Transportation

Interstates I-91 (from New Haven and Hartford, CT) and I-89 (from Concord, NH and the Boston area) intersect at White River Jct., VT providing easy access from major population centers. The Lebanon Municipal Airport offers flight service daily to Boston, New York, Manchester and Hartford. Amtrak's "Vermonter" passenger rail service from Washington, DC via New York City, to Burlington, VT stops daily in White River Junction, VT and Claremont, NH. Vermont Transit Bus Line operates bus service to virtually any destination outside the Upper Valley. Advance Transit, the local bus system, services all area towns and shopping districts. Auto rentals, taxi, and limousine service are all readily available.

Shopping

West Lebanon, NH is the Upper Valley's shopping mecca, with a wide variety of discount shopping areas, commercial centers, and fast food restaurants. The Powerhouse Shopping Mall is a handsome, renovated mill that offers boutiques, sporting goods shops, specialty and gift shops, and eateries.

Health Care & Senior Living

The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, the largest full-service hospital between Boston and Montreal, occupies an all new state-of-the-art facility in Lebanon, NH. The Veterans' Administration Hospital in White River Junction, VT is affiliated with this center as is the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, a nationally important cancer research center. Other area hospitals include Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, NH; Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, NH; Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Brownsville, VT; Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, NH; New London Hospital in New London, NH; and Newport Hospital in Newport, NH.

There are several nursing care facilities: Hanover Terrace in Hanover, NH; Etna Valley Health Center in Lebanon, NH; and Brookside Nursing Home in Wilder, VT. An extensive continuing care facility, Kendal, in Hanover, is among the country's finest.

Business Environment

Employment and business opportunities in the area have flourished considerably in recent times with the emergence of Lebanon as a key industrial and commercial center. Numerous new and established companies have chosen the Upper Valley as their home base. There are several convention centers in the area, providing scenic as well as professional facilities for local and visiting corporations. The Ascutney Mountain Resort in Brownsville, VT and the Lake Morey Inn and Convention Center in Fairlee, VT are all large facilities set in beautiful locales.

Ski areas

Asides from the many larger ski resorts such as Killingto ski resort / Pico peak, Okemo ski resort , Sunnapee ski resort, and Sugarbush ski resort, there are many other small to medium ski ares scattered throuought the regiion. Mt ascutney, the newley revamped Whaleback mountain in Lebanon NH, suicide six in Woodstock VT, and the Dartmouth skiway in Lyme NH. many smaller areas such as stoors hill, quechee ski, eastman ski, claremont ski etc.

Water Bodies

There is an abbundance of water flowing through the upper valley. Ponds lakes streams and rivers provide for a myriad of activities such as fishing, swimming, boating. conecticut river as well as the white river and the ottaquechee river . Lakefront property is in great demand.  Consequently, prices for direct waterfront reflect that demand.  Many people are choosing properties with deeded lake access and/or shared waterfront.

Some area lakes and ponds: Mascoma Lake, Crystal Lake, Spectacle Pond, Grafton Pond, Lake Fairlee, Lake Morey, Kilton Pond, Lake Sunapee, Chalk Pond, Stocker Pond, Eastman Lake, Newfound Lake, Highland Lake, Goose Pond, Little Lake Sunapee, Pleasant Lake, Lake Blaisdell, Kezar Lake, Canaan Street Lake, Lake Massasecum, Perkins Pond, Webster Lake,  and many others.

Arts in the valley

Craftsmen and artesians are drawn to this area for the tranquility and inspiration that can only come from such a diverse and beautifull place as the upper valley. Fine art, opera, plays, and international artists though not as plentifull as in the big city, are here just the same.