NH Seacoast Guide
New Hampshire's seacoast region has a lot to
offer. The NH Seacoast is only 18 miles long but
it is filled with fun and exciting things to do.
The NH seacoast is filled with shopping,
sightseeing and restaurants.
To best place to sightsee on the New Hampshire
Seacoast, is the ride along Rt. 1A. New
Hampshire's Rt. 1A runs right along the ocean in
most places.
Whether you decide to travel by car, bike,
motorcycle or on foot, here is your guide to the
must see items on the NH Seacoast. See the
Colonia NH Seacoast Ride (Scenic Drive).
NH Seacoast Educational & Historical Attractions
Seabrook Education and Cultural Center
The Seabrook Education and Cultural Center exhibits focus on life in
the 1940’s and 1950’s. They focus on farming, people and community
life. Some of the exhibits include a large scale model of Seabrook
Village in the 1950’s and cultural artifacts. The museum also
focuses on the history of the NH Seacoast area which revolves around
the Japanese Americans, the largest ethnic group in the area during
World War 2.
Ordiorne Point State Park
 Ordiorne Point State Park, located on New Hampshire's Northern
Seacoast is a 135 acre park. Many school field trips are enjoyed
here as it is an educational park with lots of history, a nature
preserve and the indoor Seacoast Science Center. Enjoy the playground or
self-guided historical walking trail. There are
several natural habitats within Ordiorne State Park. Also within the
park are woodlands, uplands, salt marsh, freshwater and salt ponds
and non-swimming beach.
Fort Stark
The Fort Stark Historic Site is located in New Castle,
on the NH seacoast. Fort Stark is strategically placed on a
peninsula called Jerry's Point on the southeast corner of New Castle Island and
overlooks the mouth of the Piscataqua River, Little Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Fort Stark was named in honor of John Stark who was a commander of New
Hampshire forces at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.
More
about:
Fort Stark
Fort Constitution & The Portsmouth Lighthouse
The Fort Constitution and Portsmouth Lighthouse is on the Piscataqua
River. The fort was established in 1631 and is located on 3 acres on
the NH seacoast. Fort Constitution includes the Portsmouth
Lighthouse. The original name of the fort was the Fort William and
Mary, named after the king and queen of England. The Portsmouth
Lighthouse and Fort Constitution were featured on the TV hit show
Ghost Hunters in October 2009. This NH seacoast location is listed
as an historic place by the National Register of Historic Places.
More about:
Fort Constitution |
Portsmouth Lighthouse
NH Seacoast Beaches
Hampton Beach
Hampton Beach in NH is the most popular beach in New Hampshire.
During the day is it filled with sunbathers and swimmers of all
ages. At night Hampton Beach transforms into an active and exciting
nightlife destination with the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom where
many concerts are held, an arcade, hotels right and motels on
Hampton Beach strip, restaurants and small shops. NH state beaches
do not allow pets, glass containers, alcohol or fires on the beach.
North Beach
North Beach is perfect for swimming and picnicking. The beach has a
bathhouse and a lifeguard on duty. The beach is open weekends only
from Mid May-Mid June and daily from Mid-June through Labor Day.
NH state beaches do not allow pets, glass containers, alcohol or
fires on the beach.
North Hampton State Beach
North Hampton State Beach is the perfect seacoast location for
swimming and picnicking and with a bathhouse on the beach. Metered
parking is available along Route 1A. The beach area is open from May
1-October 1 from 8am-6pm. Across the street from North Hampton State
Beach is The Beach Plum, they serve hamburgers and hot dogs and well
as ice cream along this quiet stretch of Rt. 1A. NH state beaches do
not allow pets, glass containers, alcohol or fires on the beach.
Wallis Sands State Beach
 Wallis
Sands State Beach is one of the larger beaches on the NH seacoast.
There is plenty of parking, a bathhouse, a snack bar with a store to
buy kites, Frisbees and other beach items. Wallis Sands Beach also
offers dressing rooms and showers. Wallis Sands State Beach is the
perfect place for families and a quieter alternative to Hampton
Beach. There are many houses and cottages near Wallis Sands that can
be rented by the week. Most of these Summer beach rentals in the
area overlook Wallis Sands State Beach and the ocean. NH state
beaches do not allow pets, glass containers, alcohol or fires on the
beach.
Jenness State Beach
 Jenness
State Beach is another generally quiet location with a clean
well-kept beach. The beach offers a bathhouse with changing rooms
and outdoor shower and bathrooms. Parking is limited, but that can
be a benefit by keeping the amount of visitors to a minimum and
avoid overcrowding on those hot summer days. There are private
beaches nearby with cottages that are generally rented by the week.
These cottages and houses rentals are oceanfront rentals. NH state
beaches do not allow pets, glass containers, alcohol or fires on the
beach. View of a list of available
oceanfront
rentals in NH.
NH Seacoast Attractions
Hampton Airfield
Hampton Airfield is a must-see stop along the NH seacoast. The
airfield was built in the early 1900’s and lasted until World War 2.
A new one was built in 1945. The airfield has aircraft rentals for
$80-$100 an hour. Seacoast sightseeing rides are also available for
$75 for a bi-plane or a helicopter.
Fuller Gardens
Fuller Gardens has hundreds of tulips and thousands of roses over
two acres of beautiful flowers. Rates are $7/adults, $6 for seniors,
$5 for students and $3 for children under 12 and infants are free.
The garden has a gift shop.
Rye Harbor State Park
 Rye Harbor State Park offers amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean,
the Isles of Shoals and Rye Harbor. Activities to do at the
beach include salt water fishing and picnicking with picnic tables
and restrooms. It is open daily May 28-Labor Day Monday through
Friday from 9am-5pm and on weekends from 8:30pm to 6pm. The cost is
$4 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-11 and children under the age
of 5 and NH residents over the age of 65 are free.
More about:
The Isles of Shoals
NH Seacoast Hotels
Wentworth by the Sea
Wentworth by the Sea is New Hampshire’s oldest settlement with 161
guest rooms and suites, nestled on the island of New Castle, the
smallest town in New Hampshire. This seacoast hotel was built in
1874 and has undergone major improvements over the years. Wentworth
by the Sea offers fine dining with 2 restaurants, spa services, an
indoor and outdoor pool, WIFI, business center and fitness center.
There is a spa that covers 6,300 feet of the hotel with a treatment
room, saunas, whirlpool and indoor pool. The suites are 1,000 square
feet with a bedroom, full kitchen, dining area and balcony that
overlooks the marina. See
NH Hotels for more listings
NH Seacoast Restaurants
The Oar House
The Oar House is located in the seacoast's historic Merchants Row at
the edge of Portsmouth Harbor. Fine dining establishment.
Dolphin Striker
The Dolphin Striker restaurant was built in 1974. They serve
customary New England cuisine. The restaurant offers live music on
Sunday nights at 7pm and Tuesday though Saturday nights at 9pm. One
of their most popular dishes is the Seafood Jambalaya which is made
with lobster, shrimp, scallops, haddock, mussels and sausage with
Cajun rice and tomatoes, onion, garlic, celery and spinach.
The Purple Urchin
The Purple Urchin offers many activities such as fireworks on
Wednesday nights, daily lunch specials from 11-4 and mini-golf lunch
combos.
Muddy River Smokehouse
The Muddy River Smokehouse was voted the Best BBQ from New Hampshire
Magazine in 2005 and was voted Best Pulled Pork from the Phantom
Gourmet. You can choose from pulled pork, smoked sausage, ribs, beef
brisket and smoked chicken at this NH seacoast location.
For more information about NH seacoast restaurants, see our
NH seacoast restaurants section.
NH Seacoast Shopping
Eno and Dave's
Eno and Dave’s Seacoast Bargain is a cross between Building 19 and
The Christmas Tree Shop.
Harbor Lights
Harbor Lights has 13 show rooms filled with thousands of stunning
lamps and chandeliers.
Cinnamon Rainbow
Cinnamon
Rainbow is an upscale shop that is a great place for beach items,
beach wear and surfing gear.
C'est Cheese
C’est Cheese sells the finest cheese such as goat’s milk, Gouda and
sheep’s milk and they also offer the finest wines from domestic
vintners.
NH Seacoast Nightlife & Entertainment
Hampton Beach Casino
The Hampton Beach Casino and Ballroom was established in 1900. The
ballroom features hundreds of concerts and musical acts such as B.B.
King, Eddie Money and Bonnie Raitt. Concerts at Hampton Beach Casino
and Ballroom last all summer long. The Casino Ballroom
overlooks Hampton Beach right on the seacoast.
The Music Hall
Each summer The Music Hall offers a three month program which
showcases foreign, independent and blockbuster movies. There are 900
seats in The Music Hall. The building was built in 1878 and
showcases performing arts from concerts to movies. The hall was
designated by the Senate as an American Treasure.
And that concludes the tour of the New Hampshire
seacoast region. Be sure to check out the
related links below for more information about
the NH seacoast.
Related:
Live Rye Beach Webcam
Rye Beach, NH
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