The New Hampshire shoreline is usually missed in comparison with its New England counterparts. However don’t be fooled, this 13-mile stretch of jaw-dropping rocky cliffs and flat sandy seashores is a real pure surprise. Drive alongside Route 1A, a shocking coastal state freeway from the border of Massachusetts as much as Portsmouth. Every seaside alongside the way in which has a singular ambiance, from having fun with stay music to stress-free with an excellent e-book. Out of the very best seashores in New Hampshire, there’s a alternative for each sort of beachgoer.
All through my time rising up in Northern Massachusetts, I’ve all the time discovered New Hampshire’s seacoast to be a hidden gem. Most individuals have heard of Hampton Seaside, however miss out on wonderful seashores simply miles away.
I’ve vivid recollections of picnicking on the wall at North Seaside, studying how one can surf at Jenness Seaside, and kicking round a soccer ball at Wallis Sands State Seaside. The water temperatures will be chilly, however they have an inclination to heat up by late July and August. The summer season months in New England get sizzling and humid, so beat the site visitors down south and head to the golden New Hampshire Shoreline.
In search of a selected sort of seaside? Listed below are some favorites for every sort of beachgoer:
Finest for occasion lovers: Hampton Seaside
Finest for households: Wallis Sands State Park
Finest for surfers: Jenness State Seaside
(On account of latest coastal flooding as of 2024, it’s suggested to remain updated on potential street restrictions and non permanent closings.)
Finest Seashores in New Hampshire
Every seaside is barely miles aside alongside the identical street, which is handy however can result in site visitors. Positioned instantly on the Atlantic Ocean, these seashores provide beautiful views and first rate waves for browsing.
Be sure to verify the flag shade (purple, inexperienced, or yellow) to point the security of the water situations. Staying updated on security measures concerning rip currents is vital as properly. It’s also useful to verify the tides and wave heights beforehand to arrange in your seaside day.
South Seaside (Hampton Seaside State Park)
Hampton South Seaside is an attractive nature-based seaside throughout the harbor from Seabrook. Cross over sand dunes to a beautiful sandy seaside. The seaside is absolutely outfitted with a big parking zone, in-season lifeguards, restrooms, and a small seaside retailer.
South Seaside is a superb place for swimming, fishing, picnicking, and even RV tenting; the campground has full hookups! There’s additionally a jetty the place you’ll be able to discover tide swimming pools. On a first-grade faculty area journey I discovered tons of shells and a sand greenback! South Seaside is a superb spot to keep away from crowds, as it’s one mile south of Hampton Seaside.
As a part of the New Hampshire State Park system, you should buy a season move which can be utilized for each Hampton Seaside State Park (South) and Wallis Sands State Park. Usually parking is a $15 price per car, however you may make reservations forward of time to beat the crowds on busy days.
South Seaside is finest for nature lovers, those that favor more room to unfold out, and households with youngsters. If you’re hungry, Brown’s Lobster Pound is a well-liked place to eat close by. It has contemporary seafood and wonderful views of the marsh. Tripoli is correct throughout the road from Brown’s and has scrumptious seaside pizza.
Hampton Seaside (State Park)
Hampton Seaside is your traditional oceanfront leisure hub stuffed with fried dough, stay music, and sunbathing. There’s all the time one thing happening: bikers joy-riding, teenagers taking part in pick-up soccer, and children going to the arcade. Occasions like weekly fireworks on Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m., expertise reveals, and seafood festivals are only a few of the sights. The annual Nation Music Fest is a enjoyable time the place beloved artists take the stage on the Seashell Oceanfront Pavilion. The seaside is barely a part of the occasion while you come to Hampton Seaside.
This space attracts extra of an grownup crowd because of its vibrant nightlife of bars and casinos. Many teenagers flock to the world in addition to it’s a preferred haunt spot. The strip alongside the seaside consists of a number of eating places and retailers.
Bernie’s Seaside Bar is an area favourite, consisting of two ranges, three bars, and stay music each evening. As the most important deck in New Hampshire, you’re sure to have an exhilarating expertise consuming seafood and taking within the views. Sea Ketch is one other well-known choice for meals close to the seaside.
The seaside itself is giant and sandy with public restrooms and lots of lifeguards on obligation. There are two essential parking tons proper subsequent to the seaside, however there are further parking tons a block or two away when it’s busy. Nonetheless, these can get a bit expensive relying on the time of yr. Everybody can discover one thing they get pleasure from right here, however if in case you have younger youngsters, it might be higher to flee the crowds and head North.
The Wall (North Seaside)
North Seaside, often known as “The Wall”, is a lesser-known, regionally most well-liked seaside. A big cement wall divides the seaside from the strolling path and metered parking, which is $2 per hour in the summertime. The wall is large enough to take a seat on and picnic with mates, a preferred pastime for native youngsters. In the course of the day it’s common to see runners and canine walkers alongside the trail.
This mile-and-a-half seaside solely has giant rocks to take a seat on at excessive tide, with some sandy areas because the tide retreats. Regardless of the dearth of crowds, there are nonetheless restrooms and lifeguards in season. The waves are nice for browsing, skimboarding, and boogie boarding. For the reason that seaside is extra hidden and additional away from eating places and retailers, North Seaside is a pleasant spot to loosen up for the day.
North Hampton State Park
North Hampton State Park Seaside is smaller and calmer, attracting these in search of a calming expertise. Metered parking is on the market steps from the sand, for $2 per hour in peak season. Excessive tide is rockier however the seaside continues to be fairly sandy. There are clear restrooms and lifeguards on obligation, however fewer crowds.
This seaside is a superb spot for strolling, having fun with the view, and consuming at Seaside Plum! Throughout the road, Seaside Plum affords contemporary seafood and ice cream. Get some clam chowder or lobster rolls for dinner and finish the evening along with your favourite taste of ice cream. The placement is handy as a result of you’ll be able to seize an ice cream cone and sit on the wall having fun with the salt water air on a sizzling summer season day.
Bass Seaside
If you’re in search of a quaint, tucked away cove then Bass Seaside is ideal. It’s actually uncommon to search out crowds right here as there isn’t any official parking, meals, retailers, or restrooms. Nonetheless, most individuals don’t come right here for the extravagant seaside expertise.
Bass Seaside is fitter for seaside combing, studying an excellent e-book, or simply taking within the view. Take pleasure in being tucked away among the many giant rocks that encompass the seaside. The sand is gravel-like with many tiny rocks, so its good to maintain your sneakers on.
This seaside is a highly regarded spot for surfers, however except you’re very snug within the water, I wouldn’t suggest this spot for swimming because of the lack of lifeguards. Canines are allowed in the course of the peak season earlier than 9:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. When my mates and I’m going to this seaside, we often lay out a blanket to talk and benefit from the surroundings.
Jenness State Seaside
Jenness Seaside is an all-time favourite. After driving alongside the rocky shoreline up from Hampton, you enter the beautiful residential coastal city of Rye. The world is extra upscale and has a giant browsing tradition.
Jenness Seaside has metered parking for $2 per hour in the course of the summer season, however the lot is small and fills up rapidly. Normally, my mates and I park within the dust lot throughout the road for about 20 {dollars} for the day. If you’re fortunate, there are some free road parking choices as properly.
The seaside is absolutely outfitted with lifeguards and restrooms, making it an excellent spot for swimming. The flatness of the seaside creates first rate waves, attracting tons of surfers. Lifeguards are attentive to creating certain the surfers keep of their part and don’t disrupt the swimming space.
Need to discover ways to surf? Summer time Periods is a surf store and cafe situated instantly throughout from the seaside. They provide surf classes, and surfboard and wetsuit leases for both the primary or second half of the day. One summer season I rented so many occasions I ended up shopping for my tools from the store. The Sandpiper Cafe is linked to the surf store the place you’ll be able to seize acai bowls, smoothies, espresso, or ice cream!
This seaside attracts many households and locals, making it much less touristy than Hampton Seaside. Nonetheless first rate crowds nonetheless flock right here as a result of the seaside satisfies many pursuits.
Wallis Sands State Park
You probably have younger youngsters and are in search of the quintessential seaside day, Wallis Sands is the most suitable choice. There’s a big grass space to picnic, kick round a soccer ball, or fly a kite. Two small jetties encompass the sandy seaside, making a secure enclosed spot for swimming. This seaside is small, not too crowded, and one of many cleanest seashores. I went right here with a gaggle of mates in center faculty and we had a enjoyable time swimming and strolling the seaside.
As a part of the New Hampshire State Park system, season passes can be found to ensure parking. Parking is in any other case $15 per car, however the lot is a fairly good measurement. There are lifeguards, a seaside retailer, restrooms, and outside rinse areas. Concessions are additionally accessible for meals and drinks. It’s an excellent spot for a household seaside day with the proper steadiness of all the things.
Weirs Seaside
The shoreline has great seashores, however New Hampshire can be well-known for its lake seashores. Lake Winnipesaukee’s Weirs Seaside is a traditionally standard spot on the connection of the Weirs Channel to the primary lake. Positioned in Endicott Park, it’s the most well-liked seaside on Lake Winnipesaukee. There’s a boardwalk with meals choices and souvenirs, a playground, and a grassy space with picnic tables. A day here’s a complete occasion.
Benefit from the view of the mountains over the lake or hike the close by nature trails. Within the surrounding space, there are bumper vehicles, mini golf, and an arcade. The water on the finish of the seaside close to the boardwalk is extra shallow, good for the little ones. It’s a really household pleasant vacation spot. There isn’t any admission price however parking is $2 per hour. Restrooms are additionally accessible.
The New Hampshire coast could also be small, however it’s dense with an array of seaside day choices. Choose the one which matches your vibe!
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Pictures courtesy of Lily O’Neill
Lily O’Neill is a contract content material author set to graduate from the College of Massachusetts Amherst in spring 2024. She additionally blogs on her personal web site, Humanscrapbook, the place she focuses on life-style, wellness and journey content material. With a background in psychology and cultural anthropology, Lily combines social sciences and her personal travels to craft significant tales.