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Kittery is a good beach but not huge and parking can be tough. Traffic at the outlets keeps me from ever attempting to enter Kittery in the summer.
I would probably look at Ogunquit though for that area. Tons of B&Bs, gorgeous, lots of smaller shops.
Regardless of where you go the coast is pretty crammed with tourists in the summer so be prepared.
There are some great beaches in NH that don't get much traffic. Try north beach in Hampton and anywhere in Rye. Check tides as the beaches shrink quite a bit at high tide. (10' tides in NH/ME)
Also, don't forget Plum Island in Mass. It's only a few miles south of the border and gorgeous. All sandy, dunes, etc. Newburyport is a fantastic town as well.
I'd suggest Elacoya on Winpisaukee. theres much more to do up there, in the event that the kids get rambunctious after a day hanging out on the beach. As far as the kid, we all have to eat don't we. Of course some mommy might get upset about her 14 year old kid getting his visual education there. I'm sure it could be done discreetly with a bath towel. nobody could possibly offer you absolution here!
Only considering private rentals, so tourist crowds won't be as much of a factor although inevitable when venturing out
Plum Island sounds nice but I can't find the appeal in Newburyport unless it's changed in the past 15 yrs or so.
We just visited the beach last week, and it was already nice enough to walk around, or even go into the water. You might want a wet suit for long term swimming, but it doesn't seem bad for wading in.
If you'd like to live near the beach, you might want to consider something a little west of Route 1A, maybe even as far in as Route 1. Right near Hampton Beach is really expensive during the summer, though there are some deals available on the inland side of 1A.
I'd suggest Elacoya on Winpisaukee. theres much more to do up there, in the event that the kids get rambunctious after a day hanging out on the beach. As far as the kid, we all have to eat don't we. Of course some mommy might get upset about her 14 year old kid getting his visual education there. I'm sure it could be done discreetly with a bath towel. nobody could possibly offer you absolution here!
Thanks, I was wondering if anyone was going to answer that last question. I'm actually quite skilled at discreet nursing (3rd kid coming) but some people just don't like it if they know what you're doing. I've never gotten dirty looks but there's always a first time!
Waah! My post disappeared.... Just wanted to say if you go to Plum Island, be very careful in the water. Undertow can be brutal. A good place to try might be the Seabrook side of the Hampton Bridge. Very sandy, no waves to speak of, and no crowds either.
IMO, Newburyport has changed in the last 15 years, not sure if you consider that a good thing or not, Lisa. Newburyport has become quite the little destination town, and between the martini bars, the art sculptures, etc. it's just not the same. I preferred the older, not quite so chic version, but that's just me. State Street Candle & Mug closing a few years back was (to me) symbolic for the other changes taking place, from a charming port/fishing town with a great mix of bars/restaurants something a bit more upscale (Downstairs at The Grog is still a good place for adults to find great music)
Further up the coast is Long Beach and Wells Beach, and of course Ogunquit which I mentioned before. Great for older kids to float up and down the river as the tide moves in or out through the day. At low tide the beach is HUGE and there is plenty of room for all. During the day, things are very discreet, after dark be aware that it's an openly gay-friendly area. Prices for hotel rooms in Ogunquit are probably the highest of anywhere in southern Maine, but you can get bargains at some of the surrounding towns.
You can always visit Nubble Light (great for kids to climb on rocks all around) or visit Yorks Animal Kingdom (I think it used to be called Animal Forest Park??)
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Originally Posted by fishnfool
Also, don't forget Plum Island in Mass. It's only a few miles south of the border and gorgeous. All sandy, dunes, etc. Newburyport is a fantastic town as well.
The SO and I drove to Plumb Island a couple of weekends back. We didn't do much walking because the air temp was just over freezing and the wind was NW about 14 knots. The views were wonderful and the Nature Center interesting and informative. The marsh behind the barrier beach should be getting crowded with returning birds about now. Then we drove up Rt 1 through Seabrook and had lunch at the Loaf and Ladle in Exeter. Rt 88 from Seabrook to Exeter is a very attractive ride.
Now for seaside entertainment and swimming I cannot say very much. The sea water off New England NEVER gets warm enough for swimming, splashing, wading or any form of human contact IMHO. Great to look at and a source of cooling breezes in the summer (and winter) but not to get too near.
If you do go to the shore Bob’s Clam Hut next to the Trading Post in Kittery, Maine has very good and very fresh seafood. Get there early on weekends.
My favorite ocean spot in NH is Wallis Sands beach in Rye. It's close to Portsmouth and in the summer there is a bath house open. If you drive all the way past the beach to near the end of that road there is a nice restaurant on the left. Before June 1st you shouldn't have any trouble parking and parking is always free alone marked spaces by the road or you can pay to park in the lot right by the bathhouse.
IMO, Newburyport has changed in the last 15 years, not sure if you consider that a good thing or not, Lisa. Newburyport has become quite the little destination town, and between the martini bars, the art sculptures, etc. it's just not the same. I preferred the older, not quite so chic version, but that's just me.
Thanks Val. That's what I was afraid of.
I have a rental opportunity which meets my criteria but it's in Kittery Point, Seapoint beach area. Wondering if that is a good base of operations to see Portsmouth, Isles of Shoals, Newcastle and hopefully less crowded areas? It seems like it would be.
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You might try Elacoya State Park on Winnepisaukee
nobody could possibly offer you absolution here!
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