With 18 miles of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, the Seacoast region features popular resort towns and natural seaside beauty that embodies historical charm.
In the center of the Seacoast region, Portsmouth (settled in 1623), defines what seaside living means. The Olde Port is home to historic buildings, unique shops, museums, and beautifully manicured gardens. Award winning restaurants line the brick-paved streets where you can catch a live show or enjoy a romantic dinner. Spend the day cruising to the Isle of Shoals, strolling through the beautiful waterfront of Prescott Park, exploring the historic Strawbery Banke Museum, or stopping at a street side café for lunch.
The surrounding towns of Hampton, Greenland, Exeter, and Rye all have the same historical charm and beauty as their seacoast neighbor. The towns offer many museums, parks, restaurants, and entertainment to discover. The Seacoast Science Center in Rye and The Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Great Bay in Greenland offer outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy or move indoors to Explore the Ocean World Oceanarium in Hampton and experience the wonders of the deep. As one of the first settlements in state, Exeter is home to the American Independence Museum, where you can celebrate the arrival of the Declaration of Independence every summer at the annual American Independence Festival in July.
The Seacoast region will not disappoint if you enjoy fairs and festivals. Throughout the summer and fall seasons, the area is littered with an abundance of celebrations. Market Square Day kicks off the summer in Portsmouth while Hampton Beach’s Seafood Festival closes the season out in September. If you prefer the cooler temps in the fall then you will be sure to enjoy Dover’s annual Apple Harvest Festival in October where the streets are lined with every kind of apple treat.
Points of Interest:
- The Children’s Museum of NH (Dover)
- American Independence Museum (Exeter)
- Prescott Park (Portsmouth)
- The Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Greenland)
- Explore the Ocean World Oceanarium (Hampton)
- The Tuck Museum of Hampton History (Hampton)
- Seacoast Science Center (Rye)
- Fuller Gardens (Rye)
For more info on the Seacoast:
Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce
603-772-2411 www.exeterarea.org
Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce
603-742-2218 www.dovernh.org
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
603-332-5080 www.rochesternh.org
Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce
603-926-8718 www.hamptonchamber.com
The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth
603-610-5510 www.portsmouthchamber.org
The Falls Chamber of Commerce
603-692-7175 www.thefallschamber.com