New Hampshire: Long weekend on the shortest coastline

By Phyllis Ford

If you’re up for a long weekend of seaside fun in New England, we have the perfect getaway planned for you! Though New Hampshire might have the shortest coastline in the U.S., coming in at just about 12 miles, it is big on beachcombing. Especially the first weekend in May when the Northeast Sea Glass Expo comes to Seabrook, New Hampshire.

The Seacoast region encompasses the shores of New Hampshire and southern Maine. Just an hour from Boston, but worlds away, this historic area has charm, a vibrant arts scene, and plenty of food and drinks to enjoy. Following is just a sample of what you can enjoy for a long weekend in the area. We’re going to set up base for the weekend in beautiful Portsmouth, New Hampshire, one of our nation’s oldest cities, now all grown up into a walkable working seaport bustling with tourists, students, and locals.

Friday night

Arrive in Portsmouth and check in to your hotel (suggestions below). Portsmouth has so many good eats from all over the world, but for a nice New England fare, try Martingale Wharf (martingalewharf.com) with waterfront deck affording you a front-row seat to the Piscataqua River’s tugboats and draw bridges as you dine. For a more cozy setting, check out the Dolphin Striker (dolphinstriker.com). After dinner, head downstairs to the Spring Hill Tavern for some live music. For the best pizza ever, drop in at the Gas Light (portsmouthgaslight.com).

Saturday morning

For a breakfast to remember, don’t miss eating at The Friendly Toast, skipping the long lines (thefriendlytoast.com/skip-weekend-lines/). There’s something for everyone and the décor can be called “quirky” or “eclectic”—it’s a wacky homage to mid-century games, toys, and advertising. Try the New Hampshire’s Finest scramble with goat cheese and asparagus, the Sklarmageddon omelette, or the King Cakes with peanut butter between banana and chocolate chip pancakes, which will satisfy even the most extreme morning sweet tooth.

Take some time to walk off your breakfast and poke around in Portsmouth’s many charming downtown shops, with everything from locally owned boutiques to nationally recognized brands. Take home some tax-free (yes, you read that right!) wares such as totes and accessories made from recycled sails at Sea Bags (seabags.com). Stock up on specialty jams, mustards, and sauces and beautiful gifts and kitchenware at the Stonewall Kitchen Company Store (stonewallkitchen.com), or just enjoy taste testing all the locally crafted goodies. For hand curated boho-chic clothing, free-spirited jewelry, and gifts, visit Serendipity (serendipitynh.com), a small boutique with a cool vibe, interesting merchandise, and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

If you’re into serious shopping, you’ll want to head across the river and visit the premium factory outlets in Kittery, Maine (thekitteryoutlets.com). With over 120 brand-name designer outlets such as Gap, Eddie Bauer, Nautica, Banana Republic, Lululemon, Kate Space, and Crate & Barrel, there is truly something for everyone. While you’re in the neighborhood, don’t miss the Kittery Trading Post (kitterytradingpost.com). It’s hard to miss, really, with three floors of outdoor recreational equipment, clothing, and footwear. And, yes, you really can still trade in hides for store credit!

If you’re more interested in sailing than shopping, from Portsmouth you can venture out onto the water. The Thomas Leighton from the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company (islesofshoals.com) heads out to Star Island for a great day trip. Enjoy a walk around the small island steeped in history—and leave time to enjoy a raspberry lime rickey in a rocker on the front porch before you head back to the mainland. Come aboard Portsmouth Harbor Cruises’ Heritage (portsmouthharbor.com) for a harbor cruise and explore the nearly 400 years of local and American history from the river. For an authentic historic experience, the Gundalow Company (gundalow.org) offers sails aboard a traditional flat-bottom barge to Pepperrell Cove. You’ll even get to help hoist the sails if you really want the full experience. Portsmouth Kayak Adventures (portsmouthkayak.com) lets even first-time paddlers explore New Castle’s Little Harbor with a guided tour of the natural beauty and rich history of the area.

Saturday night

Now that you’re back from your adventures, head over the bridge from Portsmouth to the Kittery Foreside, a foodie’s dream. Choices are numerous and range from Ore Nell’s riverside Texas-style barbecue (orenellsbbq.com) to Tulsi’s northern Indian cuisine (tulsiindianrestaurant.com) to Anju Noodle Bar for some “free-style” Asian cuisine (anjunoodlebar.com). Whichever you choose, be sure to start or end (or bookend!) the evening at the Wallingford Dram (thewallingford.com). Fully half the space is taken up by the “behind the bar scene” as mixologists work magic with their ingredients and the staff helps match you with the perfect drink. 

After dinner, check out the Kittery Dance Hall (thedancehallkittery.org), or head back to Portsmouth to listen to live music at Rudi’s (rudisportsmouth.com) or see who’s performing at The Music Hall (themusichall.org), one of the nation’s oldest theaters.

Sunday morning

Start your morning with a quick bite in Market Square in Portsmouth for coffee and a pastry at Popovers on the Square (popoversonthesquare.com). Otherwise, take some time to savor a best-in-class diner experience at the Roundabout Diner (roundaboutdiner.com). Their Sunday make-it-yourself Bloody Mary Bar has about six feet of goodies to pick from. If smoothies are more your speed, check out The Juicery (juicery.com/portsmouth/) and grab your hemp, whey, or matcha shot to go.

Grab a lunch to bring with you as you head out on Sunday morning. Visit the Soupery (wickedgoodsoup.com) or the Juicery (see above) for amazing vegan-friendly organic soups and wraps. If meat’s your thing, a local must is a Moe’s Original from Moe’s Italian Sandwiches (moesitaliansandwiches.com). Phil “Moe” Pagano opened shop in 1959, and to this day they’re still using Phil’s mama’s recipe.

Even with just 12 miles of shoreline accessible along Route 1A, there is good beachcombing to be had in New Hampshire. Head out to one of the local beaches for some collecting. The beaches are rocky, but the goodies are hiding in between the rocks. Be aware of the tides in the area, as they come in quickly. Use a good tide app to be sure you don’t get cut off/stranded anywhere.

• Great Island Common in New Castle has both sandy coves and rocky points as hunting grounds.
• For a bit of history with your beachcombing, check out Fort Stark in New Castle.
• Stop at any pull-out between Odiorne State Park and Wallis Sands State Beach in Rye.
• Jenness State Beach at low tide reveals her secrets—including fossilized tree stumps at extreme low tides.
• The rocky bits of North Hampton State Park hold some great treasures for you to find.

Northeast Sea Glass Expo

Plan your visit to New Hampshire’s Seacoast on the first weekend in May, and you’ll catch the annual Northeast Sea Glass Expo on Saturday and Sunday. Learn more ›

Sunday night

Don’t leave the Seacoast area without having a lobster roll. Any of the local spots are good, but pick one with a good view and it’s even better! Try Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier (BYOB) in Kittery Point (chaunceycreek.com), or the Rye Harbor Lobster Pound in Rye (Facebook @ryeharborlobsterpound). If you want to enter the lobster roll smackdown yourself, visit both Brown’s Lobster Pound (brownslobsterpound.com) and Markey’s Lobster Pool (markeyslobsterpool.com) across Route 286 from each other in Seabrook. Word has it Markey’s nails it for the lobster roll, but if fried seafood’s your thing, head across to Brown’s.

Monday Morning

Stop by Colby’s (colbysportsmouthnh.com) and load up on cinnamon French toast or the lox and bagel plate. Then immerse yourself in Strawbery Banke (strawberybanke.org), an outdoor living history museum, where over 300 years of American history come to life in this waterfront neighborhood. Continue onto New Castle Island for a visit to Fort Constitution (nhstateparks.org), home of the first overt skirmish of the American Revolution—instigated by none other than Paul Revere—and peek at the U.S. Coast Guard Station and Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse (portsmouthharborlighthouse.org).

Where to Stay

Many chains have hotels in the region, plus check out these local options:

Bring your furry friend and your electric vehicle to the Port Inn in Portsmouth. Don’t forget your bathing suit for the heated outdoor swimming pool and expansive sun deck with a BBQ area. (portinnportsmouth.com)

For a boutique hotel experience, The Hotel Portsmouth in the heart of downtown offers everything from plush linens to an in-room iPad loaded with local tips. (thehotelportsmouth.com)

The Wentworth by the Sea hotel and spa, a completely refurbished late 19th century grand hotel, is just minutes from downtown Portsmouth on the island of New Castle, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Odiorne State Park. (wentworth.com)

No matter when you come, the New Hampshire Seacoast’s 12 miles pack in plenty for beachcombers, foodies, history buffs, and lovers of New England charm to enjoy.

Learn more about the best beaches and destinations for sea and beach glass, seashells, fossils, rocks, and more beach finds around the world. Articles ›