<p>Unfortunately, the Maple Syrup Season is done (usually February-March)-but there will be some fun farms, cheese (Cabot Cheese in Grafton Vermont) and Maple Syrup places. You could tour Billings Farm in Woodstock Vermont.</p>
<p>Consolation, my child is a year ahead of yours, but we did Sophomore Parentsā Weekend last summer and had a wonderful time. By now they have settled in; they have found their friends; and the campus is gorgeous in the summer. I highly recommend it.</p>
<p>curious, what is the drive time to Portsmouth Maine? and Montreal? does it take a long time to cross the border by car now?</p>
<p>Magnum, we just got back from our post-graduation trip to Montreal a couple of days ago. It was a beautiful drive from Hanover up I-89 through northern Vermont. In fact, the mountain scenery was so spectacular (despite the low clouds) that Iād go back just for that. There was no wait for the border-crossing, although the guard sternly questioned- as if we were a threat to Canadian security- why we came all the way from Texas for a three-day visit to Canadaā¦ I canāt imagine what heād say to you! In all, it took about 2 and a half to three hours to get to Montreal. </p>
<p>There we walked around old Montreal, went to the basilica, ate WONDERFUL meals and generally enjoyed the French-Canadian culture. The second day we drove around the countryside east of Montreal on the Route des Vins, stopping at various wineries. That was tons of fun, because we visited with the locals at the tasting rooms. Interestingly, some of the employees who interacted with us didnāt speak English, so we had to communicate in my (pitiful and unrecognizable) French. We were really in a foreign culture despite being only 4 miles from the Vermont border at that point!</p>
<p>A friend of my sonās said we should have gone one more hour and visited Quebec City, instead of Montreal, because it is more charming, a walled city, etc. Since we didnāt go there, I canāt comment, but think a day in Montreal, followed by a day or two in Quebec City would be an enjoyable and VERY different experience. And honestly, youāll probably never be as close to Montreal/Quebec City (unless itās your primary destination) than when youāre at Dartmouth. (As I understand it, the Hanover/Montreal/Quebec City tour is in a triangle, so youād want to do it that way.)</p>
<p>You have lots of great choices for side trips. And lucky for you, four years and hopefully a few more trips to Hanover, even from your long distance, to take them!</p>
<p>Thanks Shazz, that is so enticing. I think they will strip search us after they see our Hawaii Drivers licenses! Although I think we better bring our passports. Yes, this probably be the plan, and maybe up to Quebec then, I remember it as being quaint back when I was visiting as a student. I remember getting stopped by Quebec police speaking French saying, āNo Skateboarding on the Plains of Abrahamā And then visit the farms of Vermont on the way back. Maybe figure out a way back via Maineā¦</p>
<p>Sounds like fun, Magnum! Report in later about your tripā¦and your border crossing. :>)</p>
<p>Hey we just did a Montreal / Quebec City mini-trip and had a blast. One correction to a previous post: Driving time between the cities is a bit over 2 hours, (with absolutely no traffic jams) - definitely not 1 hour as stated above.</p>
<p>Also, check out the new Montreal Bixi public bike system. There are Bixi stations all over, you can rent a bike for about $5 for 60-90 minutes of use, plus a one-day member fee of $5. We had fun riding out from the McGill area to the Olympic Park and back and had a great time. [BIXI</a> - Home page](<a href=āhttp://www.bixi.ca/home]BIXIā>Location de vĆ©lo Ć MontrĆ©al) for more info.</p>
<p>Quebec City is indeed wonderful. Portsmouth (Strawbery Banke) is in New Hampshire, though, not in Maine. 
I would estimate that it is about an hour and a half drive from Hanover.</p>
<p>I have never been to Europe, but Quebec City may be as close as Iāve got to in North America.
The setting and the history is superb, including the Montgomery-Benedict Arnold assault in a snow storm on New Yearās Eve, just as enlistments were running out.</p>
<p>Magnum, Portsmouth is in NH (right next to Maine) and I would say less than two hours from Hanover and one hour from Boston if you are flying out from there.</p>
<p>I canāt thank you guys enough, these are all great suggestions DC parents, I am going to map out a possible trip to the great northern frontier and maybe a return via Maine before we help move the S into the dorms. I still have to look up Strawbery Bankeā¦??? and the BIXI bike idea sounds awesome. I actually want to rent a bike in Hanover and do some of the DOC recommended loops. A big Mahalo (thanks) to all, If you ever head out to the islands, send me a PM and we will help you plan your trip out here.</p>
<p>I have a question about storage space for clothes in the dorm rooms. I read that each student gets a dresser, but then do they share a closet or wardrobe? Are underbed storage units a good idea, or are the beds too low? Is there room for a stack of those plastic drawer units? What about over the door hangers? Or somewhere to hang up coats? From parents of older students, did it seem that there was enough space? Thanks!</p>
<p>Sās first year room situation was a 2-person suite. THey each had a very small bedroom with a bed, bedside unit, and desk. There was definitely room for underbed storage, but not for a stack of plastic drawer units, because the very small area available for such things in his room was occupied by his 3 musical instruments.</p>
<p>The wardrobes for each student were in the small common room they shared. The wardrobes had a couple of drawers/shelves, also. I suppose either of them could have put extra drawers in the common room, but they opted for a dorm minifridge and futon couch instead.</p>
<p>THis year he has an actual dresser and an open closet by the door, plus a desk. His room is biggerāitās in an apartment that has a shared common room/kitchen and a shared bathroom. Again, there is ample room for storage under the bed, but in his case it is filled with instruments. :)</p>
<p>my son had a two room suite and each boy had a room; not much space; room for a mini fridge-not much dresser space and a wardrobe; under bed was best place for storage and was necessary.</p>
<p>I would wait until you get there and see the actual layout of the room(s) before you buy anything. The rooms are tiny, and they are crammed with furniture, and your son will seem so much larger when heās there with one or two or three other large male children in such a small space . . . .</p>
<p>Is there any place close to Dartmouth to buy the underbed storage containers? Also, aside from the Hanover Inn, what are the best places to stay when moving our student in?</p>
<p>^^There is a Walmart and other stores in nearby Lebanon where you can buy stuff like storage containers. For hotels we have stayed in the Residence Inn and also the Courtyard by Marriott which are over near the medical center. Both are good options.</p>
<p>There are several lower-priced hotels in White River Junction, VT, across the river and down the highway a couple of exits from Hanover.</p>
<p>Do NOT stay in the Hanover Inn; it is hugely expensive. Weāve stayed at the Days Inn in Lebanon ā about 15 minutes from campus. Free breakfast.</p>
<p>What about banks in Hanover for Dartmouth students? What is the best choice? Which one has the most accessible ATM?</p>