Seacoast Region, NH

New Hampshire’s slice of Atlantic Ocean waterfront is slight—only 18 miles long—but it offers a host of possibilities for outdoor adventure.

At family-friendly Hampton Beach, you can surf the ocean swells, windsurf, kiteboard, or charter a fishing boat. Local species include striped bass, bluefish, sharks, tuna, cod and haddock. If you bring a kayak or paddleboard, you can spend hours exploring the tidal creeks that wind deep into the surrounding marshes.

Another great coastal destination is Rye Harbor, which makes an ideal jumping-off point for trips to the remote ad beautiful Isles of Shoals, some seven miles east. You can also explore Rye Harbor State Park. Sea kayaking can be enjoyed just outside the harbor.

A bit farther north, Odiorne Point State Park offers miles of hiking and biking trails that lead through a variety of coastal habitat. The park is also home to the Seacoast Science Center, featuring exhibits aimed to intrigue young minds. The Odiorne Boat Launch is an ideal spot to launch a paddling trip into the many creeks and coves of the lower Piscataqua River.

The hip city of Portsmouth makes a great base camp for outdoor trips on the river and beyond. It features cobblestone streets, a pleasant downtown filled with charming shops and restaurants overlooking the harbor, and the beautiful waterfront Prescott Park, where visiting boaters can arrange for overnight dockage.