Things To Do

On Campus Entertainment

Hopkins Center: Those of you who worry that your life will be culturally starved while in medical school have nothing to fear; the Hopkins Center provides a diverse selection of performances all year long. As the Dartmouth Community's cultural and entertainment center, "The Hop" offers a varied menu that will surely satisfy anyone's artistic tastes. Performances at the Hopkins Center range from traditional Native American dance to experimental contemporary music drama to classic standards of the theatrical and musical repertoire. A catalogue of events is published and sent to you before the beginning of each term, so you can plan your cultural schedule well in advance.

The Hop's two main performance spaces are the Center Theater for drama and Spaulding Auditorium for concerts and films. Together with Loews Theater, another smaller cinema, they offer a rich list of events every week. Student tickets generally range from $2 to $15, and can be obtained at the Box Office Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For information, the Box Office telephone number is (603) 646-2422.

The Hop also houses eight of the thirteen galleries on campus. The Music Department operates nine listening rooms in conjunction with the Paddock Music Library, a branch of the Baker Library system. There are also numerous rehearsal rooms fitted with beautiful Steinways. Besides its many artistic offerings, the Hopkins Center serves as an important meeting place for students as they gather at the Courtyard Cafe or relax at the "Top of the Hop" lounge.

Hood Museum: Dartmouth's principal art gallery is small but exquisite. The Hood Museum houses a choice permanent collection which includes some beautiful examples of the Western artistic tradition in painting and sculpture, as well as numerous ancient, Asian, and African works. A large section of the museum is devoted to American artists, with particular attention to works relating to Dartmouth and Northern New England. In addition to the permanent collection, there are usually two temporary exhibits of a more thematic nature on the museum's second floor. The Hood Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday evening until 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from Noon-5:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays. For more information, you can reach the Hood Museum at (603) 646-2808. Admission to all exhibits is free.

Workshops: The Hopkins Center maintains several workshops available for use by all students (Woodworking, Metalworking, Pottery, and Jewelry). Although most equipment is provided free of charge, students are expected to pay the cost of materials used. The hours of the individual workshops vary, but all tend to be open Tuesday-Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Instruction is also available at all workshops. For further information, call (603) 646-2347.

Off Campus Entertainment

Movie Theaters

• The Nugget
  Hanover, NH (603) 643-2769
• Sony Theaters
  West Lebanon, NH (603) 448-6660
• Dartmouth Film Society Series
  You can buy a pass for the term and see recent second-run movies as well as some classics.
• Loew's at the Hop
  More artsy, independent films. Students $4.00, General Admission $5.00.

Dancing

• Cactus Jack's In White River Jct.
  Pretty Cheesy but rumored to be fun by the few who dare to enter.
• Scruples at the Radisson West Lebanon:
  Dancing to live music. The variety available covers the entire range from easy listening and oldies to top 40 and disco. It can also range from good to terrible, so it is wise to give them a call before you head out. In any case, it's not a bad place to go to see locals with real jobs.
• Bentley's, Woodstock, VT
  Music starts soon after 10:00 p.m., but it is advisable to get there early, as seats are limited and it is also a favorite of the seasonal ski crowd. A DJ plays all popular tunes, and the dance floor is very small. Try to go in a big group and take the place over -- it's a fun time.
• Electra Night Club, West Lebanon
  Located behind Shaw's in the Powerhouse Plaza associated with Benning St. Bar and Grill. The newest dance club in the area is also the most exciting. This club features music played at the hottest clubs around the world.

Activities and Places of Interest

• Apple Picking
  Poverty Lane Orchards in West Lebanon.
• Upper Valley Lanes and Games
  Late night bowling and games near the White River Junction Bus Stop.
• Driving Range, Par 3, and Mini Golf
  Near the Golf and Ski Warehouse (good bargains here!) on Rt. 12A in West Lebanon.
• Montshire Museum
• Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park
  Woodstock, Vermont
• Billings Farm and Museum
  Woodstock, Vermont
• Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
  Cornish, NH
• American Precision Museum
  Windsor, Vermont
• The Fort at No. 4
  A living history museum, Charlestown, NH
• Vermont Raptor Center
  Educational center and clinic devoted to birds of prey, Woodstock, Vermont

Travel

• Weekend Getaways and Day Trips
• Hiking
• B&B directory
• Local Information Sites

Back to Student Resources