Seacoast (New Hampshire)

Strawbery Banke is an interactive historical exhibit and museum in Portsmouth. The exhibits consist of a block or so of restored buildings from the 1600s onward, and employees reenact daily life for residents of the NH Seacoast from earlier times. There is also a visitors' center with a store and ice cream parlor, which is particularly popular on hot days!

Centered on Market Square, downtown Portsmouth consists of several square blocks of modern retailers and restaurants coexisting with historical buildings. Most of the retailers in the area are "mom and pop" shops, meaning they are locally owned and operated. This is the best place to find unique items, including handmade products, clothing and jewelry. Several coffee shops offer comfy chairs and views of pedestrians when you're finished shopping.

While it requires planning and an early start, watching the sunrise over the Isles of Shoals is an excellent way to start a day. Route 1A has many spots with a waist high seawall, which makes a perfect place to sit and enjoy the morning. Best of all, the beach at this time will be almost empty, with only a few joggers around. You can take advantage of your early start to get some time on the beach before it becomes crowded.

The University of New Hampshire, as the largest college in the state, has many interesting visitor opportunities. The school has a 6,000-seat arena that holds sporting events for the school and occasionally has concerts and events for the general community. The school also has a 900-seat theater which hosts several professional performances each year.

Centered on Main Street and the Cocheco River, Downtown Dover consists of a series of previous mill buildings that have been converted into unique stores and restaurants.

Odiorne State Park is a rocky tide pool beach along Rt. 1A. popular with Grade School Field trips, the park offers a different beach experience, since the beach has large boulders instead of sand. The park is home to thousands of species of sea creatures, and an indoor science center offers the chance to learn about and interact with many of them.