Published August 22, 2024
Seacoast Area Lifestyle Attractions
Experience why the Seacoast of NH is an exceptional place to settle down with The Dow Group’s showcase of lifestyle attractions. This enchanting region blends a variety of engaging activities and amenities for every interest. Enjoy family-friendly adventures, explore the great outdoors, or dive into a rich array of entertainment options. With its unique town highlights, fascinating museums, and golf courses, the Seacoast offers a dynamic and fulfilling living experience. Discover the perfect balance of natural beauty and vibrant community life that makes this area a standout choice for your next home.
Family Fun
Water Country
Adventure awaits at New England’s largest water park! For over 40 years, Water Country has been the top spot to cool off on a hot summer day. More than just a water park, it's a summer tradition for New Englanders looking to beat the heat and make a splash.
Children's Museum of NH
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is a trusted leader in child development and play-based learning. We welcome opportunities to forge new relationships, enhance our business practices, and create innovative experiences to serve all children and families in the years to come.
Red's Shoe Barn
Since 1958, Red’s Shoe Barn has been delivering top-quality shoes, great value, and legendary service to New England. In an age of impersonal big-box stores, we stand out by genuinely caring for our customers and working hard to earn their business and trust. When you visit our Dover or Plaistow locations, you'll be greeted with a smile by friendly associates eager to assist you. Plus, you'll find one of the largest selections of shoes in New England.
Summer Sessions
Located opposite Jenness State Beach in the scenic coastal town of Rye, NH, our beach store and cafe offer the perfect setting for surfing enthusiasts. Whether you're tackling beginner waves in summer or more challenging swells in winter, our Rye Beach Shop is your full-service surf destination. Discover everything from surf lessons and rentals to the latest in surf apparel and equipment from top brands. Family-friendly and convenient, our shop also features a cafe and market where you can grab a coffee, smoothie, and snacks to fuel your beach day without leaving the shoreline.
Outdoors
Isles of Shoals
The Isles of Shoals Steamship Company has been cruising the Piscataqua River and Isles of Shoals for over 25 years. We offer a variety of cruises, perfect for families, friends, co-workers, students, or special celebrations. Our crew looks forward to welcoming you aboard to experience the breathtaking NH seacoast. Our vessel, the M/V Thomas Laighton, is named after Thomas Laighton, a notable politician and businessman who, with his family, kept the Isles of Shoals Lighthouse on White Island and founded the Appledore House Hotel, initiating the resort era of the Isles of Shoals in the mid-19th century. The M/V Thomas Laighton is a 90-foot vessel with three decks, certified to carry up to 340 passengers. It features two enclosed cabins, an open-air sundeck, and three full bars, one on each level. We can accommodate up to 150 guests for seated dinners and 275 for cocktail-style cruises or sightseeing tours. The vessel is US Coast Guard certified, handicap accessible, and operated by licensed, experienced captains and a friendly crew.
Garrison Hill Tower
A trip up the Garrison Tower is thrilling, especially on a sunny fall afternoon with a stiff breeze. This 76-foot welded metal structure features wooden stairs and platforms. At 298 feet above sea level, visitors to this Dover tower can enjoy clear-day views of both the Isles of Shoals and the White Mountains. Despite the dramatic 360-degree panorama, there are no major buildings nearby to obstruct the view. For a detailed summary of what can be seen in all directions, visitors are encouraged to print a copy from the website and bring it along.
Bellamy Park
Bellamy Park is a 33-acre community park near the new Dover High School, featuring an 18-hole disc golf course as its main attraction. Visitors can enjoy a small picnic area near the parking lot and scenic views of the Bellamy River, including rapids and a mini waterfall visible from a footbridge. The park offers a variety of activities, including a playground, walking, jogging, and trekking around its perimeter. Fishing is permitted along the Bellamy River. The park is partially handicapped accessible, with the picnic area and river clearing being the most accessible spots. During winter, Bellamy Park transforms into a cross-country skiing course.
Wallis Sands State Park
Wallis Sands State Beach provides oceanfront swimming, stunning views of the Isles of Shoals, and a family-friendly sandy beach. Amenities include a store offering a variety of items, food, and drinks, along with a spacious bathhouse featuring outdoor rinse stations. Visitors can enjoy a grassy area with picnic tables (no fires allowed), and ample parking for up to 500 cars. Before visiting, familiarize yourself with Seacoast Beach information and parking options. Season passes are available for frequent visitors.
Entertainment
The Music Hall
Opened in 1878 as a Vaudeville theater, The Music Hall has brought cultural vibrancy to Portsmouth. Over 140 years later, now with a second theater, it plays a key role in revitalizing downtown as one of New England's top arts destinations. As a vibrant cultural and community hub, The Music Hall hosts over 130,000 patrons annually. Our mission is to inspire, educate, and connect audiences through live performances and on-screen programming, fostering creativity, purpose, and community. Incorporated as a 501(c)3 in 1987, The Friends of The Music Hall ensure it remains an active and vital arts center, enriching the Seacoast community with diverse performing and related arts.
https://www.themusichall.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtNi0BhA1EiwAWZaANO3NbabpU6KFp-IOUsT0C9AEEzFJxNpxrwhvnjlzVciN5cACX7OSbhoCTqYQAvD_BwE
Prescott Park Arts Festival
The Festival combines community charm with Grammy-winning acts, offering a unique experience for all attendees. With a suggested donation model, it provides free access to top-tier talent in Portsmouth, NH. Since 2008, the Family-in-Need (FIN) program has donated season passes through local nonprofits, ensuring everyone can attend. PPAF also offers Camp ENCORE!, a theater camp for ages 7-17, culminating in a fully produced musical and providing scholarships for those in need. PPAF features both renowned and emerging artists, maintaining its commitment to accessibility and memorable experiences without a ticket price.
Town and Area Highlights
Peirce Island
The 27-acre island, owned by the city of Portsmouth, separates the Piscataqua River from Portsmouth's "South End." It boasts scenic views of salt marshes, tidal pools, rocky cliffs, and meadows. The island offers various activities, including an outdoor pool, walking paths, playgrounds, and boat launches.
Dover Amtrak
The Amtrak Downeaster offers five daily round-trips between Brunswick, Maine, and Boston, Massachusetts, serving 12 communities across three states along a 143-mile route. The Dover platform is outdoors and accommodates all Downeaster arrivals and departures.
Museums
Strawbery Bank
Strawbery Banke Museum, located in Portsmouth, NH, showcases the evolution of a waterfront neighborhood, from Indigenous artifacts dating back 10,000-12,000 years to modern times. It attracts over 100,000 annual visitors with year-round programming, highlighting the region's rich history and cultural diversity.
https://www.strawberybanke.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtNi0BhA1EiwAWZaANMfeEGpX-pnZj1f6gkBB_d-l0Fk5qnT1yevRsxSwU9xN_W3vtOG6hxoC0aIQAvD_BwE
Seacoast Science Center
Located within Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, New Hampshire, the Seacoast Science Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to marine science education. We believe that science-based education is crucial for inspiring conservation and fostering positive environmental change. By connecting people with the natural world and fostering an understanding of our impact on its delicate systems, we empower individuals to think critically and act pragmatically to enhance the long-term health of our planet.
Golf
Pease Golf Course
Pease Golf Course offers a fantastic experience for golfers of all skill levels. Open year-round, it features PGA Tour Simulators, a driving range, and the Grill 28 Restaurant.
Abenaqui Country Club
Abenaqui Country Club offers a private, elegant retreat steeped in tradition on the picturesque New Hampshire Seacoast. Since 1903, our members and their guests have enjoyed world-class amenities including a 6,635-yard golf course, four Har-tru tennis courts, and a splendid clubhouse with refined dining options. Our clubhouse features an exceptional restaurant, a well-stocked bar, spacious function rooms, and an outdoor veranda for member-sponsored social events. We invite you to explore more about our club through the links provided. To ensure a pleasant experience for all, we kindly request that members and guests refrain from using cellular phones in public areas such as the clubhouse, golf and tennis facilities. Please use your phone in designated areas such as locker rooms or parking areas when necessary.
https://www.abenaquicc.com/
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