Waves of fun at Hampton Beach
Like free fireworks every Wednesday night, the perfect way to cap off a seaside day. There are also free weekly movies on the beach. Folks arrive before dusk with beach chairs or blankets (true pros know to build a “sand pillow” for optimal reclining during the film) and settle in to watch family-appropriate films as the sun sets. Located on the beach just across from the district's playground, it's a true memory-keeper for families, couples or folks who love film and New England summers. Think drive-in, only at the beach.
On Saturdays the beach is alive not only with folks enjoying the perfect sand, clean water and sun (Hampton Beach is regularly named one of the best beaches in the world), but also with beach volleyball. Watching the action on the sand adds a jolt of extra excitement to your beach experience.
One need only walk a few steps to be smack in the middle of the commercial district, which is as quaint and walkable as a beachside district should KICKIN’ IT! Country music fans should head to Hampton Beach for its new Country by the Coast music festival. Headlining free concerts on the Seashell Stage will be, clockwise from top right, Ayla Brown, William Michael Morgan and Jillian Cardarelli.
be. There you’ll find fun shops and great places to eat. Must visits include Sea Ketch (127 Ocean Blvd.) for seafood (most of your seafood choices will have been caught in spots almost within view from the district), and famed Bernie’s Beach Bar (73 Ocean Blvd.), with live music, corn hole on the deck and a sun-soaked seaside dining and hanging-out experience that might just be better than Hollywood could imagine it.
While a day trip to take in Country by the Coast is easily doable (the district is about an hour from Boston), with all the event has to offer paired with all the district has all summer long, you’ll want to stay longer. No worries, as lodging is plentiful and as diverse as those who love the region. You’ll find beach cottages, perfect for families to cozy up in, rental condos with great amenities, a variety of hotels, including posh options such as the Ashworth by the Sea Hotel (295 Ocean Blvd.), where every room has an ocean view.
Country by the Coast is a first-time event, one the district hopes to make as “plan for it worthy” as their other now classic events such as the recent Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic, going on its 19th year, its annual Children’s Festival, this year taking place Aug. 13-17, and its annual Seafood Festival, Sept. 7-9.
Cowboy boots and flipflops. Sounds like just the right combination. Learn more, including a listing of lodging and events, at hamptonbeach.org.