Location: Lebanon
Top Things to do in Lebanon
The 10 Best Things to Do in Lebanon, United States
Lebanon locally /ˈlɛbənən/ is a city in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 13,151 at the 2010 census and an estimated 13,513 as of 2016. Lebanon is located in western New Hampshire, south of Hanover, near the Connecticut River. It is the home to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth Medical School, together comprising the largest medical facility between Boston, Massachusetts and Burlington, Vermont.
Restaurants in Lebanon
1. VINS Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
VINS Nature Center offers special educational live bird programs! Admission includes entrance to Exhibits, Nature trails, and Avian Rehab in action. Open picnic areas, beverages and snacks are available at the Nature Store. The VINS Nature Center is located 1/2 mile west from the Quechee Gorge.
Reviewed By alidaylily - Boston
We drove by here several times and after reading about it we decided to visit. We did go on a Saturday so be prepared to share the visit with a lot of families and children. The property is large enough that there is plenty of space for walking. The owl talk was fabulous. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We also walked the trails and were rewarded with beautiful scenery. Be sure to take a trail map with you before setting out as it describes the numbered posts and what you are looking at. The birds are well cared for though the stories of how they came to be there were sad. There are also hands on activities for children. We will be back next time we visit the area.
2. Montshire Museum of Science
Overall Ratings
5 based on 213 reviews
The Montshire is an award-winning hands-on science museum. You'll experience over 140 exciting exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. As a 110-acre museum on the Connecticut River, there's always plenty to explore, both indoors and out! Open daily 10-5. Summer Admission (May 17-September 7) $16 for adults, $13 for children 2-17. Regular Admission: $14 for adults, $11 for children 2-17 Two day passes available. Free for members and children under 2 years of age. Water exhibits in outdoor Science Park are on mid-May through early October.
Reviewed By Jim W - Carmel, California
This was a special family adventure with three generations and ages from 5 to 72.
Our 5-year old granddaughter was almost overwhelmed with the seemingly never ending items for her to do "hands on". The "mystery" games, ant farm, etc., etc. are all done extremely well.
And that was just inside the facility. Despite the rain / drizzle, we did enjoy some of the exterior items with the pendulum and piano being big attractions.
The older (70s) members of the family seemed to enjoy the exhibits / challenges as much as the younger.
Our only negative observation is that there may not be too much for kids over 10 or 12.
3. Dartmouth College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By NHethel - nh
Lovely to walk around in any season...many old buildings, and modern ones, too, nicely woven together, and entwined with the pretty small but bustling town. A highlight is the library with the Orozco murals...should not be missed...is at the north end of the green, in the building with the clock tower...
4. Upper Valley Aquatic Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 37 reviews
The Upper Valley Aquatic Center offers state-of-the-art swimming facilities for lessons, competition, and exercise in addition to a zero entry Splash Park with two slides and a current pool. There is a fully-equipped fitness center with exceptional personal training, an exciting assortment of group classes and vacation camps for kids. Other amenities include the Poolside Cafe, group and party rates, and childcare in the KidZone, all in a bright, fully-accessible building with views of the surrounding hills. Members enjoy FREE childcare and classes!
Reviewed By Gloria H - Fairfield, Connecticut
We had a great time here. My granddaughter enjoyed the water play pad, lazy river and small water slide. My husband and I enjoyed swimming laps in perfect temp water. The facility is very clean and the staff is very helpful. This a great facility to workout at.
5. Northern Rail Trail of New Hampshire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Charles S - Baltimore, Maryland
We have ridden all but a small segment of the Northern Rail Trail, from the northern edge of Concord, NH through Franklin, Andover, Potter's Place, Danbury, Grafton and on to Lebanon. It is a wonderful example of how to turn old rail lines into a lovely place. A few notes for you:
* The scenery is lovely throughout. Our favorite sections are from Lebanon up to and along Lake Mascoma, the path along the Merrimack River south of Franklin, and the Lake Webster to Potter's Place segment.
* Since you are riding along the main commerce corridor of 150 years ago, look for interesting historical bits. The area near Franklin once hummed with mills, and there is the foundation of a railroad turntable. At Potter's Place, you pass the grave of Richard Potter, noted showman, ventriloquist and entertainer who died in 1835. Just south of the Concord county line in Penacook is the Hannah Duston Massacare Site Statue. (This is sited where it happened, on the banks of the Merrimack. It is also the first statue to a woman erected in the United States, whatever your opinion of her actions.)
* There are at least two volunteer-run historical museums along the route, at Potter's Place (open 10-3 Saturdays and 12:30 to 3 on Sundays) and a Daniel Webster house south of Franklin (open Sundays, I think 10-3).
* The trail is generally packed gravel and has been kept in good shape. Room for two riders nearly the whole way. Even on summer weekends, it is not heavily traveled. Sometimes the foliage creeps in (it isn't easy to keep it trimmed) and you need to watch for patches of poison ivy, particularly along the Merrimack River portion.
* You pass by towns regularly where you can refill a water bottle, purchase something or find a toilet, but these are not available on the trail. The Danbury Country Store and Grafton Store are particularly welcoming.
* The trail has relatively flat or gentle grades along most of its path (not often you can say that in New Hampshire!) The steepest sections are traveling out of Lebanon up to Lake Mascoma (but you get to cross a rushing stream over seven bridges), and the climb through Franklin up to Lake Webster.
Happy riding!
6. King Arthur Flour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 494 reviews
King Arthur Flour's Baker's Store & Café is packed with everything you need for your very best baking, from hard-to-find ingredients, innovative gadgets, and top-quality pans, to easy mixes and a huge selection of baking basics. Grab a pastry or lunch from our café; relax and check your email with our free WiFi; and connect with our expert staff about all your baking questions.Our store is open and ready for your visit!
Reviewed By USMCRip - Merrimack, New Hampshire
This is a gourmet cooks paradise The flour and flour products are endless. They also sell numerous bakery items and tools, some you never thought you needed. Parking was far from the door The sales people were sooooo nice Prices were very high.
7. Vermont Spirits
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Visit Vermont's Original Craft Distillery at the Quechee Gorge Village. The Distillery Tasting Room is open for visitors every day from 10 am until 5 pm. Sample the award winning vodkas, gin, bourbon, whiskey and seasonal brandy and liqueurs and learn about the distillation process. 2 miles off I-89, exit 1, and close to the famous Quechee Gorge.
Reviewed By Bill M - Kerrville, Texas
We walked into Vermont Spirits not knowing what to expect. We walked out after a half dozen tastings with an ever deeper respect for small Vermont distilleries.
Lisa knows her product and is generous with her tastings. We tried the 1797 cranberry cider rye, 14 Maple Bourbon, Maple Whiskey, Blueberry Liqueur, and a gin.
We had a great time and highly recommend Vermont Spirits on a tour of Quechee.
8. Northern Stage
Overall Ratings
5 based on 17 reviews
Northern Stage is a regional non-profit LORT-D professional theater company with a mission to change lives, one story at a time. Based at the crossroads of New England -- the Upper Valley of the Connecticut River -- Northern Stage’s intimate space sets the stage for actively involving its audiences with ambitious productions and expansive educational programs. Founded in 1997, Northern Stage has offered more than 115 high-quality, professional productions of new works, classics, and musicals. The company celebrates its 20th Anniversary Season this year and annual attendance is now over 30,000.
Reviewed By TallieB - Boston
We found Northernstage when trying to look for things to do while our son had an overnight college visit. I'm so glad we came across it! We saw "Last of the Red Hot Lovers"--a Neil Simon production. It was fantastic. The playhouse is new(er), modern and lovely. It's easy to find, easy to find parking and the employees were very friendly and helpful. They open a tiny bar for half time. The theater is small but perfect. The seating is comfortable and I don't think there's a bad seat there. We will go back!
9. Quechee Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 792 reviews
Locals think of this 165-foot gap as "Vermont's Grand Canyon."
Reviewed By Weekend_Roamer1 - Warrington, United Kingdom
On I4 and quite unannounced is a road bridge dating from 1911 and it spans a very pretty gorge. It spans the Ottaqueechee River and there are walks alonside one of the banks but I must admit I was quite disappointed. Due to the steep sides and the cordoned off paths you cannot really get a =great sight of the gorge or the river apart from on the bridge. Half a mile to the north is Dewey's Pond and it is picturesque and lovely but there is a man-made concrete weir controlling the flow into the gorge. One mile in the other direction the river widens out but again the pathway doesn't give you the greatest of views.
Nature lovers will adore this place and there are plenty of trails in all directions through the Queechee State Park and the paths are nice and easy with few steep inclines but I didn't find anywhere as nice as the bridge to get a perspective photo from.
The bridge is well controlled with Zebra crossings at both ends and obviously the traffic slows as passengers gorp at the view so if you are driving, pay attention to the sudden stops that sometimes happen, either through the pedestrians stopping or somebody pulling up so their passenger could dangle out the window with a camera (yes it happened to me!)
There are two very large car parks on the Hartford side with a visitors center, hotel, food and attractions.
well worth a stop.
10. Hood Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By LibbyH1 - Cincinnati, Ohio
This Hood is a very nice museum for its size and location. We always stop in whenever we are in town to see what the current exhibits are. It is worth an hour or so to wander around.
TAGS
