Rockingham – Atlantic Coast, Nature and History

Rockingham County encompasses the entire 18-mile-long Atlantic coast of New Hampshire. The range of experiences extends from sand dunes and swimming to hiking trails, wildlife viewing, colonial history, and regional products. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, it is therefore useful to first consider which focus should define your trip: coast and water, nature and activity, culture and history, or a combination of several themes.

Atlantic Coast, Beaches, and Waterfront Trails

Hampton Beach State Park has an extensive beach with sand dunes. The park offers swimming, making it a clear destination for a beach day. At Odiorne Point State Park, by contrast, you can expect ocean views and a rocky coast. An extensive trail network offers a different way to experience the landscape there. The park is also home to the Seacoast Science Center, which offers educational programs.

Fort Stark State Historic Site also combines coastal scenery and history. There you will find military artifacts as well as information about the 22nd Coastal Artillery during World War II. A walking trail with an interpretive guide adds to the historical perspective, while views of the Atlantic Ocean shape the character of the site. Those traveling with children can plan on a 700-foot-long family beach on the lake at Pawtuckaway State Park. The park also has hiking trails leading to a fire tower on a mountain summit.

Nature Parks and Active Days on Vacation

The Pawtuckaway Mountains form the outline of an ancient volcanic ring dike from 130 to 110 million years ago. This geological feature adds context to a hike without limiting a visit to a single activity. At Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, by contrast, nature observation is the focus. The protected area is the largest protected land area on the Great Bay Estuary and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and cycling. It is open from sunrise to sunset.

Those who want to include trails, nature, and cycling will find another distinctive landscape at Northwood Meadows State Park: The park covers 674.5 acres in an undeveloped setting. Kingston State Park is a 44-acre park on Kingston Pond, also known as Great Pond. Since parking there is limited, visitors can reserve a parking space before their arrival.

Living History and Cultural Discoveries

The Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth’s Puddle-Dock neighborhood covers nearly 10 acres and is dedicated to living history education. Visitors can explore historic houses, preservation gardens, exhibits, and traditional crafts there. The Robert Frost Farm Historic Site offers another historical perspective: It was Robert Frost’s and his family’s home from 1900 to 1911 and offers poetry readings. The grounds and trails around the house and barn are open year-round from sunset to sunrise.

The Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion Historic Site encompasses an expansive 40-room mansion that is among the outstanding surviving houses from the colonial period. The property was the former home of Benning Wentworth, New Hampshire’s first royal governor. Those who enjoy combining culture with activity can also consider the 1.5-mile Little Harbor Loop Trail along the water. The Robert Frost-Old Stagecoach Byway lies entirely within Rockingham County and adds another regional perspective to the historical connections.

Regional Products and Practical Orientation

Culinary discoveries can also be part of a possible travel program. The farm market at Applecrest Farm Orchards offers hand-pressed apple cider, local honey and preserves, locally produced maple syrup, and cheddar cheese. Visitors can also pick fruit themselves there. For planning a trip with varied interests, this makes it possible to put together a day combining nature, history, and regional products without having to commit to a single vacation theme.

When searching for a vacation rental in Rockingham, you can therefore first decide on the desired mix: Should the Atlantic coast with its beach and ocean views set the tone, should wildlife viewing and trails take center stage, or are you particularly interested in historic sites and local traditions? COAST’s TripLink provides information and connections for transportation services in eastern Rockingham County. For further selection, you can also visit the local pages for Hampton, Exeter, Portsmouth, Sandown, Seabrook, Northwood, North Hampton, Hampton Falls, Windham, Rye, Londonderry, Candia, Atkinson, and Greenland.

For the higher-level travel overview: New Hampshire.