Top Local Activities Along the Seacoast

CONCERTS

Every night during the summer there is entertainment on the Sea Shell Stage in Hampton Beach with over 80 shows featuring music from the ‘50s–‘90s and beyond. There are two shows each night; the first is from 7-8 p.m. and the second is from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Get nostalgic with the music of your generation or enjoy Country Night on Thursdays. The full schedule can be found here. If you’re into the music or comedy scene, we highly recommend you check out the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom schedule. The “Ballroom” is a live music and comedy venue located on the main boardwalk and is open from April to November with upward of 70 highly anticipated shows.

DEEP-SEA FISHING AND WHALE-WATCHING

There are many deep-sea fishing and whale-watching options. The two we recommend are Al Gauron Fisheries out of Hampton and Captain's Fishing Parties & Cruises, out of Newburyport. Captain’s Fishing Parties & Cruises is family owned and operated for over thirty-nine years and has grown into one of the most versatile and accommodating fleets on the North Shore. They offer whale watching, fishing, sunset cruises, charters and more.

SURFING

Hampton Beach is home to a large and dedicated surfing community and is great for seasoned surfers or beginners. Check out Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Shop – an authentic surf shop on North Hampton Beach. At Cinnamon Rainbows, you can get everything from surfing lessons and equipment rentals to fun gear, cool tees and hot swimsuits. Head to “The Wall” at Hampton Beach to see a lineup of SUVs and colorful surf boards with dozens of surfers in their wet suits. Continue up the coast to Jenness Beach and Wallis Sands and you’ll see the same thing whether it’s January or July.

FIREWORKS

Hampton Beach is known for its fireworks displays held every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. during the summer. There are a total of 17 shoots scheduled in 2018, including special displays on Memorial Day weekend, the Fourth of July, Labor Day weekend, Children’s Festival, Seafood Festival and the Volleyball Tournament. Salisbury Beach also put on magical weekly firework shows every Saturday during the summer at 10:15pm with concerts starting at 7:30pm. Fireworks are a great end to an evening with the kids or they can be the spark to kick off a night on the town. Gather the family together for some ice cream and watch as the sky lights up the beach or take your favorite person for a walk and catch the sights and sounds of a brilliant explosion.

BREWERIES

It may be surprising for out-of-towners, but the Seacoast area is an up-and-coming brewery destination. Hampton, Newburyport and Portsmouth all boast a variety of unique breweries with delicious craft beers to try on location or to bring back to your vacation home. Here are a few of our favorites:

INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING

According to Climbing Magazine, MetroRock Indoor Climbing is one of America’s best gyms. With a location in Newburyport, MA there is rock climbing for all ages. This is a great alternative to the beach or tradition gym if you’re looking to get active.

BIRD WATCHING

The Parker River Natural Wildlife Refuge is located on Plum Island and was established in 1941 to provide feeding, resting, and nesting habitat for migratory birds. The refuge is comprised of more than 4700 acres of diverse habitats including sandy beach and dune, cranberry bog, maritime forest and shrub land, and freshwater marsh. The most abundant habitat on the refuge is its 3,000+ acres of salt marsh, one of the most productive ecosystems in nature. Parker River provides pristine coastal habitat for over 300 species of resident and migratory birds, as well as a large variety of mammals, insects, fish, reptiles and amphibians. The refuge also provides critical habitat for the federally threatened piping plover.

SANDY POINT STATE RESERVATION

Located at the southern tip of Plum Island, Sandy Point stretches 77 acres. It features a beautiful pristine coastal beaches, great for swimming and sunbathing. It’s open from sunrise to sunset, there is free parking available for up to 50 cars and the Reservation closes temporarily when the lot is full. The reservation is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and is an important nesting area for the piping plover and the least tern. Access to the reservation is through the adjoining Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

JOPPA FLATS

Located at 1 Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport, Joppa Flats overlooks the Merrimack River and the Joppa Flats Education Center offers unique educational opportunities for people of all ages. Here, you can explore the region’s wildlife-rich habitats (salt marshes, mudflats, rivers, bays, and coastal waters) through guided tours, marine touch tanks, art exhibits, drop-in programs, and interpretive displays. It offers excellent year-round wildlife viewing opportunities, birding programs for participants of all abilities (more than 300 species of birds recorded locally each year) and more.

SAILING

Ninth Wave Sailing Charters offers both public and private sails, you have the choice of being an active first mate or relaxed bench warmer. The boat departs from the mouth of the Merrimack River and sails along the coastline or out to sea, wherever the wind takes it.

FARMER’S MARKETS

The Newburyport Farmer's Market is an eclectic market with a variety of grown and produced fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and homemade specialties. Swing by for local goods every Sunday year-round from 9am-1pm at the Tannery Marketplace in downtown Newburyport.

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