The scenic Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire is historical and an ideal destination for your next New England vacation. The Connecticut River Valley presents an array of vacation activities and attractions as New England's longest river winds from the far northern tip of New Hampshire towards the sea.
The Upper Valley Region consists of the area north of Bellows Falls, Vermont / Walpole New Hampshire to north of Fairlee Vermont and Woodsville, New Hampshire.
UPPER VALLEY POINTS OF INTEREST
The booming West Lebanon / Hanover New Hampshire area is located here. Dartmouth College provides educational opportunities and entertainment venues while downtown Hanover and West Lebanon's "Miracle Mile" offers plenty of dining and shopping options.
MUSEUMS AND HISTORIC SITES
This region is rich in history and art. The inventors and manufacturers in the area assisted in someof the major advances in the Industrial Revolution. You can explore some "inventive genius" by visiting the Precicion Museum in Windsor, Vermont.
Farther north, you'll find St. Johnsbury and the wonderful Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium. St. Johnsbury was the site of the first platform scale manufactoring facility in the world. Fairbanks Scales began the world's largest producers of platform scales from its humble beginnings on hillsides above the Passumpsic River. The platform scale was invented by Thadeus Fairbanks in 1830. Thadeus and his brother, Erastus, owned and operated an iron foundry in 1823. The Fairbanks family appreciated art and architecture and built several unique buildings and public institutions; including St. Johnsbury's Athenaeum and Art Gallery.
Across the river from Hanover, NH in Windsor, Vermont is where you'll find a more recently built museum - The Montshire Museum of Science features hands-on exhibits of science, nature, animals, astronomy, walking trails, a picnic area, and gift shop.
No visit to the "upper valley" is complete without a stop at Saint Gaudens. This amazing place was the home famous American painter, sculpter and artist Augustus Saint Gaudens. Saint Guadens is a National Historic Site and hosts a classical concerts series Sundays during July and August.
UPPER VALLEY LODGING - WHERE TO STAY
Fortunately the traveler has some fantastic lodging options in the Upper Valley. There are outstanding and historic inns and moderate priced hotels located here. The historic Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm as a rich and interesting past - the inn is a short drive to West Lebanon, NH and the Upper Valley portion of the Connecticut River.
ROADS TO TRAVEL
On the Vermont side Route 5 is way to go. North through towns like Ascutney, Hartland, White River Junction, Bradford, and St. Johnsbury. There are several hotel chain lodging available in White River Jct. and an award-winning Comfort Inn in St. Johnsbury.
