Spend Time at the Beach
Hampton Beach
- If you are staying at the Sand Dollar or Blue Wave Bungalow, Hampton Beach is about a 5 minute walk away. The fastest route is to walk up Highland Ave
- Beach Gear: Towels are inside the house, beach gear (chairs, boogey boards, toys etc.) is in the sheds outside the house.
North Beach
- If you are staying at the North Beach Modern Bungalow or Lux Getaway, then you will want to walk to North Beach.
- Beach Gear: Towels are inside the house, beach gear (chairs, boogey boards, toys etc.) is in the shed outside the house.
- Tips:
- Check the tide chart to see when low and high tides are.
- Crabbing rocks are located on the far North side of the beach. Head down to openings X y and Z to Surf or check out the surfers. Surfing is only allowed on these openings.
- 18th Street Opening is Handicap accessible. 18th Street is the closest opening to the houses if you are staying at North Beach Bungalow or X, and best opening in terms of tides. It has the biggest beach area during high tide.
- Dogs not allowed on the beach while lifeguard is on duty. No open drinking of alcoholic beverages while lifeguards on duty.
Hampton Beach Activities
Weekly Fireworks
In the summer there are fireworks on Wednesday night off of B & C streets on the main beach at 9:30 PM. Check the link above for the schedule.
Events
Hampton Beach has a number of annual events, such as the Sandcastles in June, Country Music Festival, Seafood festival in September, and many more. Check the calendar above for those and for other events such as movie nights on the beach, yoga on the beach and more.
Walk the Boardwalk
Walk around and check out all the shops, restaurants and bars on the Hampton Beach Strip. Note if driving from North Beach on a weekend summer afternoon you can get stuck in traffic.
Live Music
Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom Concerts
The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom has tons of concerts featuring well known musicians, comedians and more. It’s a great place to catch a show as it is a smaller venue and easy to get in and out of and you will get to see some
Hampton Beach Hatch Shell
In the summer there is free music nightly at the Hampton Beach Hatch Shell. Bring the whole family to listen and enjoy. Check the link above for the schedule.
Bernie’s Beach Bar
Bernie’s is an outdoor beach bar with an amazing view of the ocean. Bernie’s hosts a number of acts that are regulars, as well as a number of notable ones.
Wally’s
Wally’s is a biker themed bar that also has nightly live music. They sometimes have shows with notable performers where tickets are sold. Performers from the Casino have been known to hit Wally’s after the show.
Bars with Live Music
There is no shortage of live music in Hampton Beach as a number of other bars often have live music such as McGuirks, Purple Urchin, L St Tavern and Smuttynose Brewery (in town).
Karaoke
For a karaoke fix head to Charlie’s Tap House(Stacey Janes) or L Street Tavern.
Water Activities & Excursions
Surf or SUP with Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co.
62 Lafayette Rd, North Hampton, NH 03862
Rent a surfboard or stand-up paddleboard, lessons, group tours. They also sell clothes. Their North Beach location is temporarily closed due to fire, they have re-located to North Hampton.
Kayak in Portsmouth w/ Seven River’s Paddling
185 B Wentworth Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Rent kayaks or take a guided tour of the Sagamore Creek & Piscataqua river. We’ve used Seven River’s Paddling and really enjoyed the experience!
Whale Watch
There are whale watches leaving from either Hampton Beach Harbor or Rye Harbor.
1 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842
This leaves from Hampton Beach Harbor.
1870 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870
This whale watch leaves from Rye Harbor. If you chose this route, get the fluffy chowder from Rye Harbor Lobster pound after or while waiting.
Isles of Shoals Trip
Isle of Shoals Steamship Company
315 Market Street Portsmouth, NH. 03801
Take a trip 6 miles off the coast to the Isles of Shoals. Explore the islands and the history with a walking tour.
Fishing Trips & Boat Rides
1 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842
In addition to Whale Watches, Al Guaron’s offers a number of fishing trips including deep sea fishing as well as boating trips. The fireworks cruise is a popular thing to do amongst locals.
Parasail w/ Hampton Beach Parasail
1 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842
For those looking for adventure, Hampton Beach Parasail + Paddleboard offers parasailing trips.
Hiking
Ordiorne Point
570 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870
Oceanfront trails up in Rye, NH
Walk the Beaches
Explore the area beaches by foot. Recommend walking North towards Rye, combination of walking on the beach and sidewalks/road. Walk from North Beach through Plaice Cove beach. The walk up to North Hampton via “dead mans curve” allows you to take in a number of seaside estates. Be aware of the tides.
Miscellaneous
Applecrest Farm
133 Exeter Rd, Hampton Falls, NH 03844
Applecrest Farm in Hampton Falls is a nice place to visit for anyone, but it is also a good place to take kids to get off the beach for a bit. It has a big apple orchard and a market, as well as an ice cream stand and a restaurant. They have a lot of events as well.
Mini Golf
814 Lafayette Rd, Hampton, NH 03842
Fun spot for mini golf, in Hampton town.
59 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842
Mini golf and soft serve right on the main beach.
Fuller Gardens
10 Willow Ave, North Hampton, NH 03862
Fuller Gardens is a former estate featuring a fabulous rose garden, Japanese garden and much more. Enjoy walking around for a small fee. Good way to enjoy an hour or so.
Activities for Kids
Water Country
2300 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801
A fan favorite, Water Country is an outdoor water park with water slides, a lazy river, wave pool etc.
Seacoast Science Center
570 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870
Science center that has programming for kids, including fish & marine mammals, plus touch tanks & a Discovery Dock. Seacoast Science Center is surrounded by Odiorne state park which is a great place to walk around.
Dover Children’s Museum
6 Washington St, Dover, NH 03820
Popular children’s museum. Great for a rainy day, or to visit anytime. Their website encourages reservations.
Hampton Beach Oceanarium
Small place with touch tanks and exhibits about the Gulf of Maine. Good for a quick visit.
Off the Wall Kidz
45 Lafayette Rd Suite #8, North Hampton, NH 03862
Indoor playground thats a great option for a rainy day.
Hit the Arcades
Hampton Beach has two arcades that are fun for all ages, Funarama and Playland Arcade. Enjoy playing skeeball and all of the games to win some tickets and cash in on a prize.
211 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842
169 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842
Day Trips/Drives
- Drive the Coast Line along Route 1A through Rye NH – Really nice drive, would highly recommend it!
- Portsmouth, NH – Coastal town about a 20 minute drive North from either North Beach or Brown Ave places. Tons of great restaurants and shops to walk around and check out.
- Newburyport, MA – Coastal town about a 20 minute drive South from either North Beach or Brown Ave places. Also tons of great restaurants and shops here. Plum island is a popular beach.
- Kittery, Maine: Check out the outlets in Kittery, Maine. Highly recommend Lil’s Cafe and the Cruller Donuts if you make the drive.