Hampton Beach beach vacation rentals

Located on a small peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, is popular for its mile-long expanse of golden sand. Across from the beach is famous Ocean Boulevard, also known as the Boardwalk, with an extra-wide sidewalk lined with small shops with souvenirs and restaurants serving fried clams and cold drinks with great views of the beach. The New England-style SeaShell Oceanfront Pavilion features free concerts every night during the summer and special one-off events, such as the Miss Hampton Beach Pageant.

Hampton Beach’s side streets are full of beach cottages and wooden bungalows, and interesting historical museums are just a short drive away, including the Tuck Museum, where you can learn more about the history of the area. And in nearby Exeter, you’ll find the American Independence Museum, home to Folsom Tavern, an influential location for political debates during the American Revolution.

Hampton Beach has a very busy, albeit relatively short, summer season. The long, sunny days allow you to spend hours at the beach. There are also more than 80 free concerts during the summer, and in June, the Master of Sand Sculpting Competition takes place. In September, the town hosts a seafood festival, marking the end of the summer season with live entertainment, food vendors from some of the area's top restaurants, and 80 craft vendors selling handmade products.

Fall is a great time to visit as the crowds have thinned out, and you practically have the beach all to yourself. Keep in mind that many local businesses may be starting to close for the winter season during this time, but with a bit of planning, this shouldn't be an issue. During the winter, Hampton Beach can get quite chilly, but this is a great time to watch storms brew over the Atlantic and witness the power of the ocean. In spring, people begin to venture back to the beach, and businesses start to reopen.

Hampton Beach State Park

Located at the southern tip of Hampton Beach, the 50-acre Hampton Beach State Park features soft, golden sand and calm, clear water. On the way to the beach, you will pass by beautiful dunes covered in seagrass. The beach is super popular for swimming thanks to the gentle waves. You can also rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards nearby or go out on a parasailing adventure above the cerulean water.

Newburyport

Located just 20 minutes away, Newburyport is a historic port town that extends into the barrier island of pristine beaches known as Plum Island. The town is also home to interesting museums such as the Museum of Old Newbury and the Maritime Museum, both of which dive deep into the American wartime history this town has seen. Downtown Waterfront Park invites you to grab a blanket and lounge on the green grass for some relaxation — or if you don’t mind getting a little wet, you can head out on a boat, kayak, or canoe and tour the Merrimack River that dips in from the Atlantic Ocean.

American Independence Museum

Less than 20 minutes away in Exeter, the American Independence Museum brings New Hampshire's long history to life with visits to the Ladd-Gilman House, built in 1721 and the home of some of New Hampshire’s most prominent proponents of America’s fight for independence. You can also take in the landmark Folsom Tavern, where George Washington once visited at a meeting of the Society of Cincinnati, one of America’s first patriotic organizations, founded in 1783.