Heading to New Hampshire's Seacoast area this summer? Check these places out.
- Friendly Toast, Portsmouth, New Hampshire: When visiting the third oldest city in the nation, a must-do for breakfast is the Friendly Toast. Located right downtown on Congress Street, it's a funky type of place with loaded with lots of nostalgic décor. People flock and line the street just to have their monster-sized breakfasts – which happens to be served all day long. Click here for more.
- Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Portsmouth is rich with history, and Strawbery Banke Museum is a perfect spot to view dozens of colonial, Georgian and federal style period homes. The property spans from 1695 to 1950. Make sure to visit the 1950’s general store, because it might muster up some old memories. Learn more here.
- Prescott Park, Portsmouth, New Hampshire: A lovely waterfront park with colorful gardens is a perfect spot to read a book or just relax. All summer long there are a bunch of outdoor events and festivals to enjoy here while in town. Click here for more.
- Off Piste, Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Need a funny gift or just want to laugh out load and be totally entertained? Check out this place. It’s quirky just like the name – which is a snowboarding term for going off trail. Off Piste is a store that should not be missed when in Portsmouth. Learn more here.
- The Music Hall, Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Opened in 1878, this is the oldest operating theater in New Hampshire. The venue is complete with red velvet seats, and hosts music, theater, dance and movies in a lovely auditorium. It's right downtown and centrally located. Check the websites for shows coming up. If you visit, keep an eye out for the friendly ghost who hangs out up in the balcony. Click here for more.
- The Library, Portsmouth, New Hampshire: If you like an old woody, clubby kind of restaurant that serves up great steak and seafood, check out The Library. The favorite steak is the Gentlemen’s Cut, which the owner claims is as good as it gets. When it comes time to get the check, it’s delivered inside a library book, which is a very cute touch. Learn more here.
- Granite State Growler Tours, Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Craft breweries are all over New Hampshire, but wouldn’t it be nice if there were a tour! Check! Hop on the Granite State Growler Bus and hit three to four stops in just a few hours. You will enjoy some great local brews, and you’ll also learn about how they are made and have a chance to shop for souvenirs. The best part of the tour: you don’t have to do the driving. Click here for more.
- Martingale Wharf, Portsmouth, New Hampshire: It's sort of hidden down an alley way right off Bow Street. But once you find it, you will love it. The waterfront restaurant has killer views of the Piscataqua River and the tugboats docked up in the distance. There are three dining rooms inside, and outside there are a couple of fire pits for those chilly nights. They even have warm blankets should you need one while dining outside. Learn more here.
- Tugboat Alley, Portsmouth, New Hampshire: If you are into nautical gear – check out the store Tugboat Alley. Here the Lobster boxers and tide clocks are popular gifts. Even if you don’t buy a thing, be sure to check out the peek through window out to the water along the back wall. Click here for more.
- Wentworth by the Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire: Want a five-star grand dame type of hotel? This is that place. Totally refurbished with lovely views and luxury amenities, be sure to visit Wentworth by the Sea's more casual restaurant Latitudes down on the waterfront that serves a fabulous lobster roll. Learn more here.
- Rye Airfield, Rye, New Hampshire: Got kids who need to blow off steam? Hit the Rye Airfield, New Hampshire's premiere indoor skate park where they can skateboard, bike or scooter all over the ramps indoors. It's a perfect rainy day solution! Click here for more.
- Odiorne State Park, Rye, New Hampshire: A state park complete with killer views. It’s 135 acres of rocky shorelines, salt marsh and hiking trails that were settled back in mid 1660 and are a perfect place to picnic, fish or hit the science center, where your kids will love the touch tank. Learn more here.
- Applecrest Farm Orchard, Hampton Falls, New Hampshire: With more than 200 acres, this place grows everything! And it’s a great place to pick your own berries and apples. The stunning farm store is great for shopping -- they even have an apple chart on the wall that tells you which apple is best for what. The Farm Bistro is a great place to enjoy lunch or breakfast, and they have music for special events. Click here for more.
- Brown’s Lobster Pot, Seabrook, New Hampshire: Love fried food and seafood – on the water? This cash-only place is a good choice for that. Hungry patrons have been coming to this place since 1950 and it’s going strong. If you want a hard-shelled lobster they’ve got them. In fact, on a busy summer weekend they can serve up to 600 a day. If you’d like to BYOB they are fine with that, too. Learn more here.
