Hampton Beach Planning Guide: Where to Stay and Eat Near the Sand

Hampton Beach is New Hampshire's classic summer beach town: a long stretch of sand, a boardwalk along Ocean Boulevard, and a strip of shops, arcades and seafood stands that has drawn summer visitors for generations. Early June is a great time to visit. The season is opening up, the crowds of July and August have not yet arrived, and you have a better choice of rooms.

This planning guide covers Hampton Beach NH hotels and inns, places to eat in town, and the basics of the beach itself. Rates, menus and policies change, so check each business's own website before you book.

Hampton Beach at a glance

Hampton Beach is the beach village of the town of Hampton, about 15 miles south of Portsmouth on the New Hampshire coast. Its main road is Ocean Boulevard, part of NH 1A, which runs along the water with a boardwalk on the ocean side. The cross streets in the center of the beach are lettered, running from A Street to M Street, which makes it easy to give and follow directions.

The town of Hampton has deep roots. It was settled in 1638, and its original Native American name, Winnacunnet, is usually translated as "pleasant pines." The name survives today in the local high school.

The beach and the state park

Hampton Beach State Park covers 50 acres on a peninsula where the Hampton River meets the Atlantic Ocean, at the southeastern edge of the state, with Ocean Boulevard forming its western edge. It has a large beach with lifeguards, a playground, an amphitheater, a pavilion, restrooms and first aid, and visitors come to swim, fish and picnic. There is also an RV campground with full hook-ups. Hampton Beach as a whole was named one of the country's "Superstar" beaches in 2011 for perfect water-quality testing results. The park's address is 160 Ocean Boulevard. Parking there is metered from April through October, so plan for that when you arrive.

The main beach runs along Ocean Boulevard, and the boardwalk is the social center of town. Walking it in the early evening, with the light going soft over the water, is one of the simple pleasures of a Hampton Beach trip.

The Casino Ballroom

The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom is the town's best-known landmark. It opened on July 4, 1899, and remains a live music venue on the beach. The ballroom is open from April through November. Check its website for current shows, since the lineup changes constantly.

Where to stay right on the beach

935 Ocean, a Beachside Inn is a boutique inn on the corner of Ocean Boulevard and High Street. It has three floors of renovated rooms and suites, an outdoor pool and a fire pit. The inn caters to adults 21 and over, which makes it a good fit for couples and friends looking for a quieter stay than a family-oriented motel. Parking is included for one vehicle per room, with additional spots available for purchase, and guests check in with a unique access code. It is open year round, so it is also an option for off-season trips.

The location is the draw. The inn sits right along Ocean Boulevard, and it notes that it is a short drive from the Hampton Beach strip and Route 1A.

A historic inn a little inland

The Victoria Inn Bed & Breakfast is at 430 High Street in Hampton, a short trip from the beach. It is a historic inn with seven rooms, and you can book individual rooms or the entire inn, which works well for family gatherings or groups of friends. The property also has a garden pavilion that hosts weddings and special events.

Staying a little inland from the beach has advantages. It tends to be quieter at night, and a bed and breakfast offers a more personal stay than a large hotel. High Street connects directly to Ocean Boulevard, so the beach is close.

Where to eat in Hampton

The Old Salt Restaurant sits at 490 Lafayette Road, on Route 1 in Hampton, together with Lamie's Inn. It is a restaurant and tavern with an early bird menu, Sunday brunch and a gluten-free menu, and it handles private dining and catering. Its location on Route 1 makes it an easy stop on the way in or out of town, away from the beach traffic.

The Galley Hatch is at 325 Lafayette Road, also on Route 1. It has been family owned and operated since 1970 and serves lunch and dinner daily. The menu is traditional American food with an emphasis on fresh New England seafood and seasonal flavors. The restaurant is large, with three dining rooms, a Tap Room and a Lower Deck seating more than 400 guests, plus a fireplace, wooden booths and two six-person fire pits. Kay's Cafe, on site, serves a fast-casual breakfast menu in the morning and sells cakes and pastries.

Both restaurants are on Route 1 rather than the beach itself. That is often a feature in summer: they are easier to reach by car when Ocean Boulevard is busy, and they are a good choice for a sit-down meal after a day of beach food.

Getting around

Hampton has two main roads that matter to visitors. Ocean Boulevard, NH 1A, runs along the beach itself, and it is where you will find the boardwalk, the beachfront inns, the Casino Ballroom and the state park. Lafayette Road, US Route 1, runs inland through the town, and it is where both restaurants in this guide sit. On a busy summer day, it often makes sense to park once near the beach and walk, then drive to Route 1 for dinner when you are ready to leave the sand.

Planning tips for early summer

Book early for weekends. Hampton Beach gets busy as summer arrives, and beachfront rooms fill fastest.

Plan your parking. Parking near the beach is limited and often metered, including at the state park. If your inn includes parking, as 935 Ocean does for one car per room, leave the car there and walk.

Pack for cool evenings. Early June ocean breezes can make evenings chilly, and the water is still cold early in the season.

Swim at lifeguarded areas. Hampton Beach State Park has lifeguards; check posted conditions and flags before going in.

Mix the beach with the Seacoast. Portsmouth is about 15 miles north, close enough for a day of museums, breweries and waterfront walks.

A simple weekend plan

• Arrive Friday, check in, and walk the boardwalk at sunset.
• Spend Saturday on the sand, with a break at the state park where the Hampton River meets the ocean.
• Have dinner on Route 1 at The Old Salt or The Galley Hatch.
• On Sunday, start with breakfast and a final beach walk, or drive north for a morning in Portsmouth.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Hampton Beach?

On the New Hampshire coast in the town of Hampton, about 15 miles south of Portsmouth, along Ocean Boulevard (NH 1A).

Is there an adults-only hotel at Hampton Beach?

935 Ocean, on Ocean Boulevard at High Street, caters to guests 21 and over.

Is Hampton Beach State Park the same as Hampton Beach?

The state park is a 50-acre area on a peninsula where the Hampton River meets the Atlantic. It has a lifeguarded beach and an RV campground.

When is the Casino Ballroom open?

The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom is open from April through November. Check its website for current shows.

Sources

• Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (location, Ocean Boulevard, boardwalk, lettered streets, 2011 Superstar rating): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Beach,_New_Hampshire
• Hampton, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (1638 settlement, Winnacunnet): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton,_New_Hampshire
• Hampton Beach State Park, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Beach_State_Park
• Hampton Beach State Park, NH State Parks (address, metered parking): https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/hampton-beach-state-park
• Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Beach_Casino_Ballroom
• 935 Ocean, a Beachside Inn: https://www.935ocean.com/
• The Victoria Inn: https://www.thevictoriainn.com/
• The Old Salt Restaurant and Lamie's Inn: https://www.oldsaltnh.com/the-old-salt/
• The Galley Hatch: https://galleyhatch.com/