Lebanon

Day Trips

Begin with a leisurely walk through downtown Lebanon, admiring historic buildings and local street art. Stop by a cozy café for freshly brewed coffee and a house-made pastry. Chat with friendly shop owners while browsing artisanal crafts.

Head to the Lebanon Farmers’ Market for seasonal produce, baked goods, and local cheeses. Sample regional specialties and pick up picnic ingredients for later. Capture photos of colorful stalls and meet Vermont and New Hampshire growers.

Dine at a popular gastropub featuring farm-to-table fare and local craft beers. Enjoy live acoustic music in a relaxed atmosphere. Finish the night with a sunset stroll along the Mascoma River Walk.

Visit the Montshire Museum of Science in nearby Norwich for interactive exhibits on ecology and engineering. Participate in hands-on experiments that engage all ages. Explore outdoor science stations along the riverbank.

Hike one of the nearby trails in King Arthur Flour’s woods, taking in cathedral-like pines and secret footbridges. Pause for a snack by the Swift River rapids. Keep an eye out for songbirds and beaver ponds.

Enjoy a lakeside barbecue on Mascoma Lake with grilled local sausages and summer vegetables. Watch the sunset paint the water in warm hues. Roast marshmallows by a fireside pit under twinkling stars.

Tour the historic Dartmouth College campus with its ivy-lined quads and stately chapel. Learn about notable alumni and campus architecture on a guided walk. Snap photos of scenic courtyards and stone walkways.

Explore the Hood Museum of Art, discovering diverse collections from ancient to contemporary works. Join a curator-led discussion on artistic techniques and cultural context. Sketch your favorite piece in the gallery’s quiet alcove.

Grab coffee and a pastry at Lou’s Restaurant & Bakery, a beloved local institution. Wander through Hanover’s Main Street boutiques under soft streetlights. Cap the evening with board games at a cozy café lounge.

Paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard across serene Mascoma Lake’s glassy surface. Listen to the call of loons echoing across the water. Glide past papery birch trees and sandy coves.

Cycle the 8-mile loop around the lake, stopping for a lakeside picnic with artisan bread and local cheese. Dip your toes in shallow inlets and skip stones near the shore. Photograph sunlit ripples dancing under leafy canopies.

Sample regional wines and ciders at a nearby tasting room overlooking the lake. Share small plates of charcuterie and house pickles on a warm patio. Watch fireflies spark in the twilight as evening winds down.

Attend a hands-on baking workshop at King Arthur Flour’s test kitchen to craft fresh sourdough. Knead dough alongside expert bakers and learn starter-maintenance secrets. Savour a warm slice straight from the oven.

Embark on a guided tasting tour of Lebanon’s artisanal cheesemakers, sampling creamy cheddars and tangy bloomy-rinds. Pair each cheese with local honey or jam. Walk through ripening caves and meet the dairy artisans.

Dine at a farm-to-fork restaurant renowned for seasonal menus and garden-to-table salads. Enjoy live jazz in the dining room as chefs serve multi-course delights. Toast the day with a signature cocktail infused with fresh herbs.

Drive the Kancamagus Highway for breathtaking vistas of fall foliage or summer greenery. Stop at overlooks to gaze across river valleys and emerald forests. Hike a short spur trail to a moss-covered waterfall.

Take on the summit trail of Mount Moosilauke, challenged by steep ledges and panoramic viewpoints. Pause for a packed lunch on a windswept summit rock. Revel in 360-degree mountain scenery.

Relax at a mountain lodge with hearty bowl dinners and hot cider. Unwind in a communal lounge beside a stone fireplace. Stargaze from a rustic deck in crisp alpine air.

Board a scenic cruise on the Connecticut River, learning about local history and wildlife from a narration. Spot bald eagles perched on riverside trees. Feel the gentle breeze as you drift past wooded shorelines.

Visit the Wilder Dam visitor center to explore its hydroelectric story through interactive displays. Walk the observation deck overlooking roaring spillways. Photograph the surging torrents against rugged rock.

Enjoy a riverside dinner at a bistro featuring fresh-caught trout and seasonal risottos. Savor dessert al fresco as fireflies dance above the water. Wind down with a short twilight kayak paddle under lantern light.

Cross the river to White River Junction and browse the quirky vintage shops and galleries along Bridge Street. Meet local potters and glassblowers in open studios. Try your hand at glass-blowing or clay-throwing demos.

Stop for farm-fresh sandwiches at an outdoor patio café overlooking the river. Head to local bookshops and vinyl record stores for unique finds. Discover street murals and public art installations tucked into alleys.

Return to Lebanon for live theater at the Lebanon Opera House or an improv comedy show at a downtown venue. Savor craft cocktails or mocktails in a speakeasy inspired lounge. Mingle with performers during post-show meet-and-greet sessions.

Drive to Rumney Rocks for guided rock-climbing sessions suited to all skill levels. Clip into harnesses and scale granite cliffs with expert belayers. Enjoy sweeping valley views from high ledges.

Head to a zipline canopy tour at Bretton Woods for adrenaline-packed swoops above forested slopes. Learn about canopy ecology from knowledgeable guides. Land gracefully near a mountain lodge for refreshments.

Soak weary muscles in a natural hot spring at a rustic spa retreat. Sip on herbal teas in a relaxation lounge overlooking pine forests. Unwind with a gentle yoga session as dusk settles.

Return to the Lebanon Farmers’ Market for last-minute souvenirs of local jams, maple syrup, and crafts. Chat with vendors about seasonal recipes to try at home. Savor a buttery cinnamon bun and fresh-pressed juice.

Join a hands-on cooking class with a celebrated local chef, learning to prepare a signature New England dish. Share cooking tips and plate your creations artistically. Enjoy a gourmet lunch of your own making paired with regional wine.

Host a farewell dinner at a top-rated fine dining restaurant, indulging in chef’s tasting menus and wine pairings. Raise a toast to ten unforgettable days of discovery, adventure, and community. End the evening with a moonlit walk by the Mascoma River, reminiscing about new friendships and memorable moments.