Parks

From Newburyport through the New Hampshire Seacoast there are no shortages of parks and special places to visit. Some parks are located right along the water.

Here are a few highlights:

Four Tree Island in Portsmouth

Variously called Three Tree Island or Five Tree Island. The park features great views of the Memorial Bridge, Piscataqua River, Portsmouth Fish Pier, and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Open from dawn to dusk, the island includes a dozen large BBQ area, picnic tables and a grassy play, and public restrooms.

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Four Tree Island

Great Island Commons in New Castle

New Hampshire’s most famous seaside locale. The waves are just right for boogie boarding, the boardwalk is lively day and night, and restaurants cater to seafood-craving summer crowds. Kids love nightly outdoor concerts, weekly fireworks, movies on the beach, and arcades.

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Great Island Common Park

Odiorne State Park in Rye

Odiorne Point, identified by historians as the site where the first European settler, David Thomson, landed in 1623, today is 330-acre state park. The park offers extensive trails, dense vegetation, excellent views of the Atlantic, the remains of military fortifications, the Seacoast Science Center.

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Ordiorne Point State Park

Pierce Island in Portsmouth

Most recently walking trails have been added that connect five waterfront overlooks, making Peirce Island one of the most scenic and accessible parks in the city. The City of Portsmouth operates a boat launch on the side of the island nearest the South End.

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Peirce Island

Prescott Park in Portsmouth

Located at the edge of the Piscataqua River and across from Strawbery Banke Museum Prescott Park was donated to the City of Portsmouth around the turn of the century by two sisters, Josie and Sarah Prescott. The popular waterfront park features extensive flower gardens, including large demonstration beds. The park also is the site of one of New England’s most popular outdoor summer events, the Prescott Park Arts Festival which during July and part of August presents a musical and dozens of performances by musicians and theater groups. Since 1974 the festival has drawn more than millions visitors.

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Prescott Park

Seacoast Science Center in Rye

Located within Odiorne Point State Park, we provide educational experiences on behalf of New Hampshire State Parks and have been connecting people to the wonders of our coast since 1992. Our live animal exhibits feature the amazing creatures that live in the rapidly changing Gulf of Maine ecosystem. Our engaging programs make learning about the ocean fun for everyone, from pre-K to senior rediscovery. Our hands-on science exhibits, from undersea exploration to marine debris, motivate families to become caretakers of our blue planet.

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Seacoast Science Center

Stratham Hill Park

Home to the annual Stratham Fair. This park offers year round hiking trails, perfect for walking, running, biking, and dog walking. There’s plenty of parking, with picnic areas, ball fields and a play area for kids. What sets this apart is a multi story steel fire tower affording you with 360 degree views, including Great Bay and beyond.

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Stratham Hill Park

Maudslay Park in Newburyport

For those in MA or looking to head south to Newburyport, Maudslay Park is beautiful spot on the Merrimack River, this park features 19th century gardens and plantings, rolling meadows, towering pines, and one of the largest naturally occurring stands of mountain laurel in Massachusetts. Most breathtaking are the ornamental trees and masses of azaleas and rhododendrons that bloom in May and June. A wonderful place for walking, hiking, horseback riding. or just sitting in the grass.

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Maudslay State Park