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Seacoast Region
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean with a mere 18 miles, the Seacoast region makes up for its shortage of coastline tenfold with its richness of history, culture, art and utter beauty. For those who love the water, the ocean tickles the sands at Hampton Beach and Rye.
Take a ferry ride to the Isles of Shoals, a group of nine small islands a few miles off the coast of New Hampshire; charter a boat for deep-sea fishing or take a whale-watching cruise from several locations along the shore. Bike along paths, take a ride through a countryside populated by historic homes and farmlands, or simply slip your toes in the sand and bask in the sunshine. The New Hampshire seacoast has it all.
The area was home to many native cultures, predominantly Abenaki, who lived and worked the land long before the European settlers arrived in the 1600's. These settlers nearly eradicated the native people with the diseases they brought. A man by the name of David Thompson holds the honor of founder of the state of New Hampshire and he chose the seacoast area as his stomping ground.
Thompson was sent to the coastal area to develop a fishing colony. He settled on the land that is now known as Odiorne Point in Rye. Early on, the primary industry in the seacoast was fishing, but trading would become an anchor to the region and eventually timber and textile mills, and especially shipbuilding, would dominate the area.
The town of Portsmouth is home to an assortment of historic sites, which are showcased along the Portsmouth Harbor Trail. The eating and drinking establishments attract visitors to downtown shops, allowing artists to flourish in the community. And the beauty of Portsmouth, from Prescott Park to the cobblestone sidewalks to the picturesque harbor, is nearly unparalleled.
The town of Dover, New Hampshire's first permanent settlement, is a place seasoned with Colonial and Georgian architecture. Nearby Durham is home to the University of New Hampshire. The town of Seabrook is best known for its Nuclear Power Plant. Much of the surrounding inland area is abundant farmland and charming countryside. As with the rest of the state, many old structures still stand as meetinghouses, covered bridges and town halls that make up a character that is uniquely New England.
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Explore the Seacoast
State Parks
North Hampton State Beach
Ocean swimming, metered parking, parking along highway, lifeguards, restrooms. Great family beach with an oceanfront setting.
North Beach
North Beach is a great family location with an Atlantic ocean-front setting - its sandy beach is ideal for swimming and...
Hampton State Beach
Hampton Beach State Park provides year-round recreation, with Atlantic ocean-front facilities situated along miles of sandy...
Rye Harbor State Park
Rye Harbor State Park affords scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Rye Harbor, also called Ragged Neck. Favorite activities...
Odiorne Point State Park
Odiorne Point is open daily year-round. Picnickers can enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and rocky shore, and explorers can...
Kingston State Park
Kingston State Park is only 14 miles from the New Hampshire seacoast and is close to many attractions such as Canobie Lake Park,...
Attractions
Isle of Shoals
Come aboard the Heritage for an intimate and unparalleled look at the seacoast's most picturesque waterways.
New Hampshire Farm Museum
Tour the historic Jones farmhouse and learn about three centuries of rural life in New Hampshire.
Portsmouth Harbor Cruises
Come aboard the Heritage for an intimate and unparalleled look at the seacoast's most picturesque waterways.
Portsmouth Museum of Art
The Portsmouth Museum of Art is a community-centered museum presenting the work of emerging and established artists - local,...
Prescott Park
Located along the Piscataqua River and across from the Strawbery Banke Museum, Prescott Park is a popular waterfront park...
Sandy Point Discovery Center
Self-guided nature trail provides an opportunity to walk through the salt marsh, view exhibits about Great Bay, its history and...
The Seacoast African American Cultural Center celebrates the lives and achievements of black people emphasizing the unique story...
Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point
On the last undeveloped stretch of New Hampshire coastline.
Strawbery Banke Museum
Strawbery Banke Museum provides visitors with the opportunity to experience and imagine how people lived throughout four...
The Woodman Institute Museum and the William Damm Garrison
Dedicated to the preservation of natural science, art/furniture and local history, the Woodman is often called a "museum's...
Tuck Museum
This summer, explore Hampton's history at Tuck Museum, located on Historical Meeting House Green (founded in 1638), 40 Park...
Tug Alley Too
Join TUG ALLEY TOO, its Captain and crew for a customized tour of the Piscataqua River. Now, you and your friends and colleagues...
Urban Forestry Center
A forestry education facility open to the general public. Has an extensive trail system, tree identification, salt marsh habitat...
Wentworth by the Sea
Poised high atop a bluff overlooking the ocean and river below, the historic Wentworth by the Sea hotel once again offers its...
Gundalow Company
A gundalow is a shallow drafted type of cargo ship, once common in the Gulf of Maine's rivers and estuaries, that reached it's...
Fuller Gardens
An estate garden of the early 20th century featuring over 2,000 rosebushes, a Japanese Garden, a conservatory, perennial borders...
Children's Museum of New Hampshire
Explore the fascinating phenomena of reflection and symmetry in the museum's one-of-a-kind Kaleidoscopic exhibit.
Blue Ocean Society Touch Tank
The mission of the Blue Ocean Society is to inspire passion in people to conserve the marine environment, through education and...
U.S.S. Albacore
Albacore Park is the site of a world-famous submarine, the Portsmouth-built USS Albacore, and of a memorial garden honoring those...
Historic Markers
Marker Number: 156
Marker Number: 142
Marker Number: 167
Marker Number: 170
Marker Number: 119
Marker Number: 50
Marker Number: 75
Marker Number: 88
Marker Number: 62
Marker Number: 120
Marker Number: 103
Marker Number: 157
Fort Stark
Fort Stark State Historic Site is located on a peninsula historically called Jerry's Point on the southeast corner of New Castle...
Fort Constitution
Fort Constitution State Historic Site is located on a peninsula on the northeast corner of New Castle Island.
Marker Number: 92
Marker Number: 32
Covered Bridges
Cochecho River Footbridge
Built in 1996, this relatively new bridge allows hikers to cross the Cochecho River on their way around the Cochecho River Walk...
Waterfalls
Although there is plenty of water, there are no waterfalls in the Seacoast Region!Forests
These forests are a short drive from several state parks, beaches and the Great Bay estuary, nearby are the University of New...
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