Hi friends! 

Rounding out my summer adventures in New Hampshire with Part II of exploring the Seacoast Region. 

After a couple days spent taking in the sites around New Castle and Portsmouth, it was time to head further south and unleash our inner beach bums. 

Perfectly situated 10 minutes on either side of Portsmouth and Hampton Beach, you’ll find the quiet, oceanfront setting of Rye Motor Inn - my home for the last leg of this trip. As part of the trio of boutique hotels that make up the Seacoast Apart-Hotels, it has the similar live/work fully furnished apartments found in both the New Castle and Portsmouth locations. My favorite part about this place? It’s conveniently located DIRECTLY across from the ocean! Which meant watching the sunset over the water required exactly 20 seconds of effort. 

I sprawled out in one of the 750-square foot bungalow house apartments during my stay, which has 1 bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and living/dining space. I loved sitting out on the patio in the morning - and being just steps from the pool was definitely a perk! 

Forget your swimsuit or sun protection? The Rye Motor Inn also has an adjoining swim shop for all your beach + poolside needs! 

Heading further down the coast into the sleepy town of Rye, you’ll come across Kooks Cafe + Beach Bar - a great spot for breakfast, coffee, or taco. For dinner in the area, we tried out Ray’s Seafood Restaurant for some classic lobster rolls, seafood chowder, and fried calamari. Grab your order to-go, and enjoy your meal in the back seating area that looks out on the beautiful surrounding marshland. 

Even on rainy days, the coast can be a welcome reprieve - head to Odiorne Point State Park to visit the family-friendly Seacoast Science Center. Spend an afternoon learning about whales and other marine mammals of the Gulf of Maine, explore tidal pools, and catch a glimpse into the challenging world of undersea exploration. 

No coastal trip would be complete without some time spent on the beach! Though New Hampshire shorefront is only 18 miles long, you’ll still find ample space to sink your toes in the sand - maybe you enjoy the hustle and bustle (head to Hampton Beach for plenty of shops, restaurants, and family-friendly activities) or want something more laid back (Jenness Beach was my go-to), there’s a beach for everyone to get out and enjoy some sun + surf. 

I had so much fun getting to explore and learn more about the Lakes and Seacoast Region during this trip. Whether you’re a Northeast native like me, or a first time visitor, there’s always a new adventure to be had in New Hampshire. For instance, though I’ve been to the White Mountains COUNTLESS times in the past, this was my first ever experience with the state’s coastline! If you’re in need of your own dose of New England charm this summer, start planning your own trip to Visit New Hampshire today!

xo

J.

This post is in partnership with Visit New Hampshire.