The beach actually begins south of the state line, on the north bank of the Merrimack River at Salisbury Beach State Reservation in Massachusetts. Take I-95 exit 56 (MA 1A) and head east to Salisbury Beach, then north along NH 1A to Hampton Beach State Park, a long stretch of sand shielded by dunes. Facilities include a promenade, bathhouses and a band shell with an amphitheater.
Hampton Beach State Park
New Hampshire
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
26.58 MILES
If you walk south on Lafayette from Derby St, you'll find yourself on the other side of the tracks (or river, in this case). Welcome to El Punto, or ‘The…
12.52 MILES
Spread across a 10-acre site, the Strawbery Banke Museum is an eclectic blend of period homes that date back to the 1690s. Costumed guides recount tales…
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26.34 MILES
All of the art, artifacts and curiosities that Salem merchants brought back from the Far East were the foundation for this museum. Founded in 1799, it is…
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26.42 MILES
The most poignant site in Salem is the Witch Trials Memorial, a quiet park behind the Peabody Essex Museum, where simple stones are inscribed with the…
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26.34 MILES
Contained within the Peabody Essex Museum, this 16-room Chinese house was shipped to the museum from China's southeastern Huizhou region.
12.52 MILES
This 1760 structure is one of the finest Georgian houses in the US. Elizabeth and Mark Hunking Wentworth were among Portsmouth's wealthiest and most…
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Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
7.88 MILES
This 4662-acre sanctuary occupies the southern three-quarters of Plum Island. More than 800 species of bird, plant and animal reside in its many…
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18.47 MILES
This museum was established in 1976 as a local repository for all of the shipbuilding artifacts of Essex residents. The fascinating collections of photos,…
Nearby New Hampshire attractions
6.51 MILES
This pretty beach is a prime spot for picnicking, swimming or just relaxing on the sand. You can also watch the surfers, who ride the waves on longboards…
2. Custom House Maritime Museum
6.64 MILES
The 1835 granite Custom House, built by Robert Mills (of Washington Monument fame), is an excellent example of Classical Revival architecture. It now…
3. Cushing House Museum & Garden
7.02 MILES
This 21-room Federal home is decked out with fine furnishings and decorative pieces from the region. Collections of portraits, silver, needlework, toys…
4. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
7.88 MILES
This 4662-acre sanctuary occupies the southern three-quarters of Plum Island. More than 800 species of bird, plant and animal reside in its many…
5. American Independence Museum
8.96 MILES
Celebrating Exeter’s early history, this museum maintains the town’s historic collections inside the 18th-century Ladd-Gilman House. Among the highlights…
9.85 MILES
This popular beach – it has 500 parking spots – has a wide sandy coastline with views of the Isles of Shoals. Besides the bathhouses and a snack shop,…
11.19 MILES
Walk the woodsy coastal trails, explore the Seacoast Science Center or simply sit by the rocky coast and enjoy the view and the breeze. Stop by the…
11.26 MILES
Undersea videos, big aquariums and a hands-on 'touch tank' are the highlights of this small but engaging family favorite. The center hosts lots of special…