Spending Some Time In Hanover

Located right on the boarder of New Hampshire and Vermont, this town has the best of both worlds. Take a walk around Dartmouth College. You don't need a tour guide, just walk around the perimeter. There's a beautiful, peaceful pond surrounded by large but old homes. Next to the pond, a huge 18-hole golf course has a hill perfect for sitting on at night to look at the stares or go sledding on during the winter. There is always an old movie playing or an art exhibit at the school plus a tiny theatre located on Main Street. And then, of course there is all of Main Street and there is plenty to do there.

Quick Tips:

It's fun to just sit on a bench and people-watch in Hanover. There are so many different cultures that make up Hanover's lifestyle. If you want pizza, only go to Ramunto's, especially if you don't want a belly ache following your slice. Talk to the locals, specifically in the coffee shops. They'll let you know where to go swimming, hidden trails to walk on (and some hiking trails off a little further) and other sites to see in Vermont and other nearby parts of New Hampshire.

Best Way To Get Around:

Since you are most likely driving up to Hanover yourself, the best way to get around is to walk, or use your car, unless you're going to another town. A shuttle bus is scarcely available and a cab is even harder to find. This is not the pedestrian friendly town but it's still a great sight to see.

Hanover is not known for its late night hours so if you’re a late-dinner eater, you’ll have to adjust a little. Prime eating time for supper is 5:30pm-7pm. Restaurants generally don’t take reservations so be ready to wait for a table. Thankfully, it is almost always worth the wait. 

The popular restaurant, Molly’s Restaurant, should be a priority on your To Do list in Hanover. The best seats in the house are in front by the windows. The hostess always checks those first, knowing guests prefer the Main Street view. But if seated towards the rear of the restaurant, you can watch the brick oven chefs work, making pizza and various appetizers. What is second best about Molly’s (number one being the food) is the service. If you watch these guys making the pizza you notice that they’re having fun. The more fun they have, the better your food seems to be. Give a wave or go up and say thank you for your yummy brie and fruit. They’ll be grateful.


While reading the menu, you may take notice of the decor. Following in the footsteps of Applebee’s or TGI Friday’s design, Molly’s walls are cluttered with everything from signs to footballs but most are dedicated to Dartmouth College. The front of the menus are old '60s album covers. Inside of the menu there is a huge variety of tastes, or what I call “dressed up bar food.” Appetizers include boneless buffalo wings, fristo misto (fried veggies), basket of fries and my favorite: artichoke and spinach dip. Do not leave Molly’s without trying this dip. In a small dish, a fresh mixture of cheese, spinach, and chunks of artichoke are baked in the brick oven. Instead of tortilla chips like in most restaurants, the dip is served with toasted bread. It’s big enough to serve four but after the first bite, you won’t want to share.

Main dishes vary from steaks, pasta, seafood, and sandwiches. Sides always accompany any entrée (usually a veggie, fries for garlic mashed potatoes). I love sandwiches even at dinner time. They have a flavorful grilled chicken sandwich topped with herbed mayo, lettuce, tomato, and avocado served on a round doughy bread (oh my God, this is amazing!). Fries are always served with sandwiches and I guarantee you will wipe the plate clean between the two. The fries come a little thicker than shoe string and coated with a tasty, crispy outside.

So if you find yourself in Hanover, please make your way over to Molly’s, you will not regret it.

I believe when you’re on vacation, a dessert should always follow dinner. And after eating over at Molly’s restaurant on Main Street, we needed a little dessert and we needed to find room for it. Although Molly’s offered a strong variety of desserts, my girlfriend suggested taking a short walk (also to burn off a few of those new calories we just consumed) to Ben n’ Jerry’s.

Yes we’ve all had Ben n’ Jerry’s from the grocery store or from the overpriced ice cream shop in the city. I don’t know if it’s because we were in the twin states, but Ben n’ Jerry’s is fresher and more genuine here in Hanover. The factory is about 40 minutes north if you care to get the full experience. Instead, I think a short walk for now is okay. This shop is located on Lebanon St, right outside of Molly’s. The workers always wear a hat of their choice and a Ben n’ Jerry’s colorful, psychedelic tee shirt. Most have dreads, hemp necklaces and a lip piercing or two. I got the Cookie Dough cone and it was phenomenal. Now, I have had Ben n’ Jerry’s before, but never before had I had such a good double scoop of ice cream. Really! I mean, since the factory is right there I guess it makes a difference, but Oh My God!

They, like Molly’s, always greet you with a smile and a suggestion if you need one. Unlike the city locations (that most of us are used to), the portions are huge and priced fairly well. You definitely get what you pay for.