To be honest, the Upper Valley is not located in a city. Therefore, some of the amenities available in big cities are not available here--although they are in nearby Boston. Nonetheless, Hanover and the surrounding areas do a good job in providing something for long evenings. Check out the listings below:
The Hopkins Center of Performing Arts
www.dartmouth.edu/~hop
"The HOP" is Dartmouth College's performing arts center. It offers a great deal of lectures, movies and concerts. They are known for bringing in award winning, world renowned artists--all available to you as a student for less than $15 a ticket. Check the website often for inexpensive ways to spend a great evening.
Hood Museum of Art
www.dartmouth.edu/~hood
In addition to regular and special art exhibits, they also offer lectures in the Arthur M. Loew Auditorium. All are free to the public.
Opera North
www.operanorth.org
This is a non-profit organization which produces opera for northern New England with the highest musical and dramatic standards.
Lebanon Opera House
www.lebanonoperahouse.org
A multifaceted cultural resource, the Lebanon Opera house works to benefit all members of the Upper Valley community. They host both live theater and movie events.
Nugget Movie Theater
www.nugget-theaters.com
Owned by the Hanover Improvement Society, it offers first run Hollywood features and foreign films with digital surround sound. Located conveniently in Hanover, don't forget to bring cash because they don't accept credit card.
Montshire Museum of Science
www.montshire.net
With a moniker fashioned from combining the last syllables of "Vermont" and "New Hampshire", this museum offers fantastic interactive activities for kids and adults alike. The museum has special hands-on exhibitions and events throughout the day.
Billings Farm and Museum
www.billingsfarm.org
Located in nearby Woodstock--a real gem of Vermont and home to a Rockerfeller--the Billings Farm and Museum is a living museum of Vermont's rural past, as well as a working dairy farm. They offer open workshops throughout the year.
Northern Stage Co.
www.northernstage.org
This is a professional theatre company with year round production and classes.
Quechee Gorge Village
www.quecheegorge.com
Kids will enjoy rides on the miniature steam train and carousel, while adults will have fun shopping in the antique mall. The gorge, which is nearby and is known as the "Grand Canyon of the Northeast", is a definite place to visit--particularly in the fall, when the view is simply breathtaking.
Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS)
www.vinsweb.org
In addition to learning about the Vermont environment, VINS offers environmental programs and events, hiking trails, live exhibitions and summer camps.