With the Fourth of July approaching, what could be more patriotic than a weekend in New England? Most people think about the usual locations- Cape Cod, Maine or Nantucket. Miss the crowds of these places and head to the New Hampshire Seacoast. Your probably thinking right now- New Hampshire has a seacoast? And your probably also thinking I like luxury. Can I find that in New Hampshire? YES, you can!
New Hampshire’s 18 miles of coastline is perhaps the prettiest in all of New England. Sandwiched between the Northern beaches of Massachusetts and the rocky beaches of Southern Maine, the Seacoast ocean road, 1A, offers vast ocean views as well as beautiful century old homes. As you drive along 1A you can imagine the wives from centuries ago waiting on their widow’s walks (roof porches) for their sailor husbands to come home.
1A will lead you to perhaps the most charming, grand hotel, The Wentworth By The Sea. This historic hotel in Newcastle, NH recalls old world Victorian charm with modern, luxurious amenities: a fabulous spa, a pool overlooking a gorgeous New England Marina, and views of Portsmouth, a red brick historic, ship building town. Staying here follows in the footsteps of President Theodore Roosevelt who signed The 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth (which ended the Russo-Japanese War) here. You might not want to leave this fabulous place but there is so much to see and so much adventure a waits. www.wentworth.com
Wandering through Portsmouth is like being transported back in time. Check out the Strawberry Banke museum located in downtown Portsmouth. This museum is one of the only living museums in the country comprised of historic houses surrounding a green. A museum educator greets visitors in each house (dressed in character as someone who lived in this house). History comes alive! www.strawberrybanke.org
After visiting Strawberry Banke, head across the street to check out the lovely gardens in Prescott Park. During the summer months, check out a musical theater performance performed in the park overlooking Portsmouth Harbor. www.prescottpark.org
No trip to New England is complete without visiting a true lobster pound. Our favorite is Petey’s Summertime Seafood Restaurant and Bar located in Rye, NH about 8 miles south of the hotel. Petey’s has the sweetest, most delicious steamers on the Seacoast. Unlike other seafood places in New England, Petey’s offers a full menu for all of the landlubbers who don’t eat seafood as well as yummy ice cream. www.peteys.com
Don’t miss a day of sun at one of New Hampshire’s many beaches. Bring a chair or towel to Wallis Sands State Beach or Jenness State Beach. For more action, check out the surfers on North Hampton Beach where National Champion surfers have trained. Beaches in NH are made for walking. At low tide, beaches are incredible wide and made up of hard packed sand. Be aware though that the water can be pretty chilly! www.nhstateparks.org
Driving time from New York 4 ½ to 5 hours; from Boston 1 ¼ hours.
A special thanks to our partner Astrid Travel!
Happy Travels! Christy
Email astravelpro@gmail.com to book your summer New England getaway!
This entry was posted in Travel on July 1, 2016.
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