Location: Rye
Top Things to do in Rye
Top 10 Things to do in Rye, United States
Rye is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,298 at the 2010 census. The town is home to several state parks along the Atlantic coastline.
Restaurants in Rye
1. Granite State Whale Watch
Overall Ratings
5 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By kedavis4 - Wells, Maine
We took our grandson on this whale watch in the hopes of seeing humpback whales and dolphins. We were only able to see one humpback which was not very cooperative as it did not stay up long before taking deep dives. Nevertheless, we did get to see it and my grandson loved it. The crew was friendly and very helpful and they did everything they could to manuever the boat so we would see the whale when it surfaced. While we were disappointed to see only one whale, that is the way of whale watches. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. We did see a young seal in the water near the boat and, the highlight of the trip, was an Ocean Sunfish laying flat on the surface of the ocean absorbing the sun's rays. It seemed enormous and the captain manuevered the boat so everyone could get a chance to see it. We were able to see its huge mouth and an eye, observing it for quite awhile. At the end of the trip, we were given 3 complimentary tickets for another whale watch because they felt that one whale was not very exciting. The complimentary tickets are good for two years which was a pleasant surprise. Despite the lack of whales, it was an enjoyable outing on the ocean and we will be using our free tickets to try again next year!
2. Jenness State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By NYC2VT - Morrisville, Vermont
Went here two days in a row! Great beach, but nicer crowd! No blaring radios or cigarette smoking/trash throwing people. Everyone is just chilling and enjoying the beach. Public bathrooms available and we paid $15.00 to park across the way. Bring your own food and drinks though-not too many options for buying near the beach.
3. Discover Portsmouth
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
Start you visit at Discover Portsmouth. We offer a 12 minute film on the city's history, a beautiful museum shop, changing exhibitions, walking tours (Memorial Day - Columbus Day), city map, and public rest rooms. We are open April 1-December 23/
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
Discover Portsmouth, a welcome center operated by the Portsmouth Historical Society, is the first place visitors should go to find all you need to know about Portsmouth, New Hampshire, its history, arts and culture. If you are planning to stay for one, two, three or more days, you will be able to obtain information on historical sites, tourist attractions, plays, movies, art exhibits, hotels, restaurants and tours. View 400 years of Portsmouth history via a 13-minute video. Obtain a map of the downtown area and plan a route to meet your interests. Take a 75-minute walking tour with an experienced Discover Portsmouth guide. Explore the Museum Shop, which offers a great selection of history books, cards, prints, unique jewelry and apparel made by local artists and craftsmen. Located at 10 Middle Street, the welcome center provides visitors with an opportunity to fully explore historic Portsmouth, the hub of the New Hampshire seacoast.
4. Throwback Brewery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By Wendy F - Nashua, New Hampshire
After roaming around Portsmouth's Fairy Festival with a 3 year old fairy on a hot fall day, Throwback beckoned! The name says it all--it's a throwback to a simpler time with it's casual outdoor seating where children are welcome and pets, too. Just a cool place to sample some great beer and delicious farm to table food in a family-friendly atmosphere.The staff is very friendly and helpful, too. Throwback is definitely the closest I've seen to a German biergarten in NE.
I would give 5 stars but the day we went (a Saturday), Throwback was very busy and the line to order food was quite backed up--there was only one person taking orders so the wait to give the order was lengthy and there was a bit of wait to get the food. However, the saving grace was the farm animals--chickens and some goats. Being able to walk over to see the animals entertained our 3 year old fairy princess and her baby sister.
I still highly recommend Throwback, but if you're plan to visit on a weekend (especially a nice weather-weekend) with small children, you may want to prepare for a bit of a wait.
5. Hampton Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 929 reviews
Reviewed By mesatraveler - mesa az
Whether you come in mid-summer with huge crowds or in the spring or fall, you will never bee disappointed. The state keeps this well maintained and safe for families.
The water is cold even in mid-August, but who cares? Enjoy the sun, the freee concerts and the nearby food options.
6. Breakfast Hill Golf Club
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By undertaker01 - Newburyport, Massachusetts
Played here several times already this year. Why not .......senior rate is $48 with cart after noon on weekend, no less. Play before that and it's not worth the price. It's worth a $55 course with cart period .............any day, so check rates.
The greens this year are much faster than last year and more consistent, plus even with the extended drought in the area, the fairways and tees are well maintained. The pro shop staff needs some training in customer service as their people skills leave allot to be desired. The outside staff, rangers, starters, etc, are really nice and attentive.
The course has been active this year, so expect 4 1/2 hours rounds.
But overall this is a course for all abilities and is fun to play. Interesting mix of holes.
7. Odiorne Point State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
A 330-acre park on the coastline.
Reviewed By Karen Z - Chicago, Illinois
We took the beach trail (the trails aren't really marked, and we didn't see any trail maps, so we just walked towards the beach). It was very quiet, not many people around. The beach is pretty and the trails we took through the woods were very easy.
8. Smuttynose Brewing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
Come visit historic Towle Farm, home of Smuttynose Brewing Company, one of New England's oldest and most beloved craft breweries. Take a free tour of our brewery, enjoy a guided tasting (for a small fee) and shop for favorite and hard-to-find Smuttynose and Smuttlabs beers, as well as other goodies in our retail store. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious meal at Hayseed, the Smuttynose public house located on the same grounds, featuring over two dozen beers, a farm-to-table menu and a seasonal beer garden and fire pit. And if you have time, play a round of disc golf while exploring our 17-acre site. The course is free and loaner discs are available in our retail shop.
Reviewed By TeePeeEmDee - Solomons, MD
Outdoor venue, coordinated by Leslie, who did a fantastic job converting my daughter's "vision" into a reality. Smuttynose provided a large, durable tent, portable dance floor, in a lovely outdoor setting on the brewery grounds. We were impressed by how well everything was organized, and by the friendliness of the entire staff. This was Smuttynose's first attempt, I understand, at an outdoor wedding event, which caused me some initial concern, but they came through with flying colors and I highly recommend them.
9. Fuller Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Fuller Gardens is a turn of the century public botanical garden nestled along the coast of New Hampshire. The grounds were designed in the 1920's by noted landscape designer Arthur Shurtcleff and the Olmsted Brothers and commissioned by Alvan T. Fuller as an ornament to his summer estate. The Fuller Gardens features 1700 rose bushes, formal English perennial borders, annual displays, Japanese Garden and Conservatory. The Garden are located on the ocean and entirely wrapped in sculpted hedges. Open from 10-5:30 mid April through mid October.
Reviewed By Beth P - Brandon, VT
Although I've not had the opportunity to see other "gardens", this was much less than I expected. The roses were beautiful and some were in bloom. The green house was great. I thought the price was a little steep, but I have nothing to compare it to. I visited the American Independence Museum (loaded with artifacts & history) and it was only $6, so $9 to see some (lovely) flowers seemed a little high.
10. Wallis Sands State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By Maurene_K - Dover, New Hampshire
Wallis Sands State Beach was a relatively small beach, but it was clean and had facilities, including a walkway, showers, and restrooms. It got its fair share of seaweed.
On a clear day, there are scenic views of the Isles of Shoals. Even on the semi-cloudy day of my visit, the isles were visible through some light haze.
Admission is charged from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays and 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM weekends. The fee is $15.00 per passenger vehicle. NH seniors 65 & over are admitted free.
The Carry-In/Carry-Out policy is pretty effective in keeping the beach clean.
There is a picnic area with tables for those who don’t want to eat on the beach.
This beach is an alternative to Hampton Beach State Park. It can get just as crowded as Hampton Beach on a hot, humid day. But, no matter where one parks at Wallis Sands, it’s not that far a walk from the car to access to the beach.
For those who don’t need the honky-tonk arcade and/or food concessions and restaurants in Hampton, this is where to go.
I enjoyed my visit here, so I can recommend it to others.
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