Southern Maine Coast
The drive to Fort Foster Park twists past blooming flowers, Victorian homes and tantalizing ocean glimpses. The seaside park is a nice place to walk some trails, have a picnic and play in rocky tide pools. Look out to sea for views of Whaleback Ledge lighthouse (1831).
To get here from US 1, take ME 103 for 5 miles, then cross a small channel to Gerrish Island. Follow Pocahontas Rd through the woods.
3.24 MILES
Spread across a 10-acre site, the Strawbery Banke Museum is an eclectic blend of period homes that date back to the 1690s. Costumed guides recount tales…
3.07 MILES
This 1760 structure is one of the finest Georgian houses in the US. Elizabeth and Mark Hunking Wentworth were among Portsmouth's wealthiest and most…
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
20.42 MILES
This 4662-acre sanctuary occupies the southern three-quarters of Plum Island. More than 800 species of bird, plant and animal reside in its many…
13.47 MILES
A sublime stretch of family-friendly coastline, Ogunquit Beach is only a five-minute walk along Beach St, east of US 1. Walking to the beach is a good…
26.58 MILES
One of the longest, widest, sandiest beaches in the region is Crane Beach, with 5.5 miles of fine-sand barrier beach on Ipswich Bay. It is set in the…
12.62 MILES
This picturesque inlet is dotted with sailboats and fishing boats; a narrow pedestrian bridge spans the harbor. The cove is home to a handful of…
3.56 MILES
Originally built by an influential ship captain for his son, the Georgian Moffatt-Ladd House was later the home of General William Whipple, a signer of…
28.38 MILES
The biggest and best of Cape Ann's beaches is Wingaersheek Beach, a wide swath of sand surrounded by Ipswich Bay and guarded by Annisquam Lighthouse.
1.99 MILES
Undersea videos, big aquariums and a hands-on 'touch tank' are the highlights of this small but engaging family favorite. The center hosts lots of special…
2.07 MILES
Walk the woodsy coastal trails, explore the Seacoast Science Center or simply sit by the rocky coast and enjoy the view and the breeze. Stop by the…
2.47 MILES
This 42-room place south of the town center was home to New Hampshire's first royal governor and served as the colony's government center from 1741 to…
3.07 MILES
This 1760 structure is one of the finest Georgian houses in the US. Elizabeth and Mark Hunking Wentworth were among Portsmouth's wealthiest and most…
3.13 MILES
The towering meetinghouse, completed in 1866, replaced a parish meetinghouse that had been on the site since 1731. A stop on the Black Heritage Trail, the…
3.18 MILES
Overlooking the Piscataqua River, this small, grassy park with gardens makes a pleasant setting for a picnic. More importantly, it's the leafy backdrop to…
3.24 MILES
Spread across a 10-acre site, the Strawbery Banke Museum is an eclectic blend of period homes that date back to the 1690s. Costumed guides recount tales…
3.41 MILES
This popular beach – it has 500 parking spots – has a wide sandy coastline with views of the Isles of Shoals. Besides the bathhouses and a snack shop,…