As a tourism attraction, New England is probably best known for its incredible display of foliage. In late September/early October, the countryside explodes into a cornucopia of fruit-loop colors, breathtaking even for the residents lucky enough to witness this miracle every year. Taking Route 89 from Concord, to Route 120 through Lebanon, then Route 10 north through Hanover, Lyme, Orford, Piermont, and North Haverhill, offers one of the most beautiful scenic drives to the White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire.
The Lebanon Municipal Airport sits high in the hills of West Lebanon, open to smaller commercial and private airplanes. U.S. Airways Express provides service to more than 45,000 passengers a year with direct flights to Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. For people who prefer larger aircraft, Burlington, Vermont, and Manchester, New Hampshire offer larger airports within a two hour drive, north and south respectively from Lebanon. Dartmouth Mini-Coach, operating out of Lebanon, drives traveler to and from Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts in mini-van comfort for a moderate fee.
There are plenty of attractions to keep tourist in the Lebanon area as well. Thirty minutes east in Grafton, New Hampshire, the ancient Ruggles Mine is open for exploration by adventurous spelunkers of all ages. Or visit the quaint yet fascinating Shaker Community, 15 minutes east in Enfield. The Shaker Museum captures the very essence of the Shaker lifestyle and heritage with authentically crafted furniture and a vast collection of artifacts. Peek into Quechee Gorge, the "Grand Canyon of the East", on 15 minutes west in Vermont. The Gorge was carved out by the Ottauquechee River, a spectacular reminder of nature's power. Forty minutes south in Warner, New Hampshire, the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum Education and Cultural Center is dedicated to increasing the public's awareness of American Indian traditions, philosophies, and art. Four random sites to see, just a few of many offering interesting glimpses into New Hampshire's natural beauty and diverse cultural history.
