Hanover, NH

 

Hanover is an idyllic rural New England town with an abundance of character and charm located in the heart of New Hampshire. Home to Dartmouth College, the area is filled with the vitality of a college town and sublime natural beauty.

 

The town has a rich history, with roots dating back to the 1700s. In 1761, Governor Benning Wentworth, Royal Governor of New Hampshire at the time, granted a charter for 22,400 acres to 68 proprietors living in Connecticut and decided on Hanover as the name for the new township. Just 8 years later, Eleazer Wheelock was granted a charter to open a college in New Hampshire. Hanover was chosen as the location over Haverhill for Dartmouth College.

 

Downtown Hanover is now alive with shops and cafes and is dominated architecturally by post-Civil War brick commercial buildings set along its downtown streets. Hanover, NH real estate features several residential neighborhoods, where you can find spacious and historic single-family homes and houses for sale as well as contemporary, traditional, and modern architecture nestled in some of the most breathtaking scenery New England has to offer.

 

Hanover, NH has both laid-back as well as a vibrant and dynamic vibe. There is a broad mix of intellectualism, a strong work ethic, and a love of the outdoors among its diverse residents. The town is very accessible, with many sidewalks and bikeways connecting the downtown area with outlying residential neighborhoods. The community is very active and welcoming; there are many opportunities to get involved with local events and community groups.

 

If you're looking for an active lifestyle, Hanover is a great place to live. Residents enjoy access to numerous conservation and outdoor areas, including Storrs Pond Recreational Area, a popular spot for picnicking, swimming, tennis, hiking, mountain biking, and summer camps. And hikers will appreciate the close proximity of both the Green Mountains in Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

 

The big city amenities of this small town extend to its dining scene. Pine at Hanover Inn is a contemporary upscale restaurant that serves inventive farm-to-table American cuisine. The passionate and dedicated wait staff are friendly and knowledgeable about their menu items. Candela Tapas Lounge serves innovative tapas and cocktails in a sparkling, intimate setting — perfect for date night! The pan Latin menu celebrates Puerto Rican heritage with a modern twist. Lou’s Restaurant is a beloved dining spot with a long local history. It was established in the late ’40s as one man’s post War American dream to own a bakery cafe. Today, Hanover neighbors flock to Lou’s for breakfast all day long, a delicious classic lunch, and a fresh bakery case. For those with a sweet tooth, a trip to My Brigadeiro and Red Kite Candy is a must!

 

Additional dining choices such as Tuk Tuk Thai, Tacos Y Tequila, Sushia, Jewel of India, Samosa Man, Han Fusion,  Impasto, The Nest, and Base Camp Cafe exemplify the depth and diversity of menus available without needing to leave town. And of course, there are the traditional Hanover favorites, Murphy’s On The Green, Molly’s, Jesse’s, Ramunto’s, and Dunks Sports Grill. And no college town would be complete without its coffee shops such as Dirt Cowboy Cafe, where the best Arabica beans are roasted in-house, and family-run Umpleby's Bakery and Café.

 

This small town also boasts a wide range of shopping options for discerning buyers, from small specialty shops along Main Street such as Lemon Tree Gifts to more prominent chain outlets. The main shopping district is right in the center of town, adjacent to Dartmouth College. You will encounter the independently owned Still North Books & Bar, a local gem for book browsing and hanging out at the cozy cafe with drinks and snacks. A point of local pride is world-renowned Simon Pearce, a shop and glass-blowing studio offering its handmade glassware and art. Farmhouse Pottery has been around since 1978 and offers clayware crafted by local artists. RPM NH features everything from Vinyl LPs, CDs DVDs, Posters, and Dartmouth memorabilia. 

 

Looking to refresh your wardrobe? You won’t have difficulty finding classic and inventive styles, including J. Crew, Indigo, J. McLaughlin, Traditionally Trendy, The J List, Talbots, and 37 Central Clothiers. And for those who desire the unique and different when it comes to their jewelry choices, there is Von Bargen’s and Designer Gold.

 

Hanover, NH is home to unique outdoor activities. The incredible natural terrain provides the perfect landscapes for hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, boating on the Connecticut River, and skiing nearby Mount Sunapee State Park (which also has an excellent water park and mountain biking) as well as the Dartmouth Skiway. Storrs Pond Recreation Area offers an area for swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking, and The Hanover Conservancy Trails are located throughout the town. Here neighbors enjoy excellent opportunities for hiking or biking among scenic views of the river valley. Even the venerable Appalachian Trail runs directly through town. In the winter, residents enjoy ice skating on Occom Pond, located near the northern edge of the Dartmouth campus. Looking for an outdoor community to share your adventures with? Contact the folks at The Dartmouth Outing Club, the oldest and largest collegiate outing club in the country. Love to get out on the water? Head to the Ledyard Canoe Club at Dartmouth for canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle-board rentals.

 

The Hanover arts and culture scene is vibrant and diverse. The Hood Museum of Art is located on the College campus and is considered one of the finest collegiate art museums in the entire country. The museum has a permanent collection of over 4,000 pieces, including works by Picasso and Rothko. The Hopkins Center for the Arts has been hosting performances since 1968. The center hosts an eclectic mix of performances, from classical music concerts to Broadway shows. The Nugget Theater, which is operated by the Hanover Improvement Society, offers the latest motion picture releases from all the major studios.

 

There are also plenty of community events every season in Hanover. The Dartmouth Winter Carnival is the largest student-run winter carnival in the world. The week-long February event features all sorts of snow sporting events, ice sculpting, and parties. Celebrate The Season is a highly anticipated family celebration of the holiday season in downtown Hanover including the annual tree lighting on Dartmouth Green. Maple Month in March is looked forward to every year by Hanover residents. Sponsored by New Hampshire and Vermont’s maple syrup industry, restaurants offer special menus featuring maple syrup-based dishes and desserts during this month, and producers provide free tours of their farms. During the summer, Hanover looks forward to Circus Smirkus, an incredible traveling troupe of youth circus performers ages 10 to 18 who perform acrobatic and aerial feats to sold-out crowds in Hanover and nearby cities all over New England.

 

Hanover is served by the Dresden School District,  School Administrative Unit 70, the nation’s first school district that serves towns in several states, including Hanover and Norwich, Vermont.