Top Things to Do at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

Hampton Beach, NH's premier seaside resort, offers classic New England beach fun with modern amenities.

🏖️ Beach & Boardwalk

• Walk/bike the 2+ mile boardwalk — ocean views, people-watching, street performers.
• Swim, sunbathe, bodyboard — lifeguarded in season; water chilly (60s°F).
• Sandcastle contests, volleyball, bonfires (permit).

🏞️ Hampton Beach State Park

• South end; bathhouse, parking, picnic areas, RV camping (reserve early).
• Fishing (striped bass, bluefish) from jetty or surf.

🎮 Arcade & Mini-Golf

• Casino Cascade — historic arcade (skee-ball, video games, redemption).
• Multiple mini-golf courses (pirate, dinosaur themes).

🛍️ Shopping & Dining

• Surf shops, boutiques, souvenirs, fudge, saltwater taffy.
• Seafood: The Deck, Galley Hatch, Bernie's Beach Bar (lobster rolls, clams, raw bar).
• Pizza, ice cream, breweries (Smuttynose nearby).

🌙 Nightlife

• Bars with live music (Wally's, The Goat, Bernie's).
• Fireworks (Wed/Sat summer, holidays).

🚗 Day Trips

• Boston (1 hr 15 min): Freedom Trail, Fenway, museums.
• Portsmouth (20 min): Strawbery Banke, harbor, breweries.
• Water Country (10 min): Large water park (slides, wave pool, lazy river).
• Isles of Shoals (ferry): History, birds, hiking.

Peak: June–August. Shoulder (May, Sept) = fewer crowds, pleasant water. Off-season: stark beauty, storm watching.