While our area’s cultural offerings may remind many of a more cosmopolitan city, the view from any of the surrounding hills makes it clear why New England is known for its natural beauty.

The Connecticut River and myriad smaller tributaries meander between the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Green Mountains of Vermont. With little traffic, the beauty of the seasons, and plenty of places to find peace and quiet, it’s easy to understand why people here get outside at almost every opportunity.

Just a short stroll from The Woodlands, a 23-mile “rail trail” follows the flat grade of a former train track through lush forests, around sparkling lakes, and past rolling fields. The Upper Valley is full of great places to walk and hike, whether you choose a trail, country road, or the sidewalk of a classic Main Street. If golf is your game, you have over half a dozen courses to choose from within a 30-minute drive, many of which are considered among the best in New England.

Tennis is also widely available, both indoors and out. Or go for a quiet canoe paddle on the river, a day of sailing on nearby Mascoma Lake, or fish the clear waters of the local streams. For those who enjoy taking in a game, Dartmouth College offers a fantastic sports schedule, including football, hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, and more. And when winter comes, a snowy January day is truly a sight to behold. There are many ways to get out and relish a winter day. Downhill and cross-country skiing venues dot the Upper Valley and the surrounding region with everything from small family areas to the East’s largest resorts, many within an hour’s drive.

In the Upper Valley and beyond there are special places around almost every turn in the road, and at The Woodlands it will be easy to find others who want to share adventures with you.

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