Rye and New Castle: A Guide to the Coastal Villages

New Hampshire's coastline is short, and two of its quietest stretches belong to Rye and New Castle. Rye has the state beaches, the harbor and Odiorne Point. New Castle, just to the north, is a village of islands at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbor, with forts, a lighthouse and a grand Gilded Age hotel. Together they make an easy coastal escape a few minutes from Portsmouth. Here are the best things to do in Rye NH and New Castle, with notes on what is seasonal.

Rye: beaches, parks and a working harbor

Rye had 5,543 residents at the 2020 census. Route 1A, Ocean Boulevard, runs along its shore, linking the beaches, the harbor and the parks.

The town's state beaches are the main summer attraction. Wallis Sands State Park has a bathhouse and a 500-car parking lot. Jenness State Beach is smaller, with a 67-car lot, so arrive early on hot weekends.

At the northern end of Rye, Odiorne Point State Park combines rocky shoreline with history. The park holds the remains of Fort Dearborn, a World War II coastal defense site, and it is also home to the Seacoast Science Center.

Seacoast Science Center

The Seacoast Science Center sits at 570 Ocean Boulevard inside Odiorne Point State Park. It is a marine science center with exhibits, and it runs a marine mammal rescue program. The center also runs camps and educational programs for kids. Tickets can be reserved online through its website.

The science center pairs naturally with a walk at Odiorne Point, so plan for both on the same visit.

Rye Harbor: whales and the Isles of Shoals

Rye Harbor, at 1870 Ocean Boulevard, is the departure point for two connected boat operations. Both are seasonal, and both have finished for 2026.

Granite State Whale Watch runs whale watches from the harbor. Its season has ended, and its website says trips return in May 2027. Past passengers in reviews on its site report sightings of humpback, fin and minke whales along with dolphins, and one reviewer noted the operation is dog-friendly.

Island Cruises, operated with Granite State Whale Watch, offers Isles of Shoals tours, Star Island ferry service and Star Island walkabouts. The company notes that Rye Harbor is the closest mainland port to the Isles of Shoals, which lie about six miles offshore. Its trips to the islands have ended for the year and will begin again in June 2027.

If you are planning next summer's coastal trip now, these two are worth bookmarking.

New Castle: an island town

New Castle is New Hampshire's smallest and easternmost town, and it sits entirely on islands. It had about 1,000 residents at the 2020 census; the Great Island Inn's website puts it at 968. Its landmarks include Fort Constitution, Fort Stark, the 31-acre New Castle Common, a Coast Guard station and the Wentworth by the Sea resort.

Fort Constitution has a long history. It was earlier known as "The Castle" and later as Fort William and Mary, and it was rebuilt in 1808. Portsmouth Harbor Light stands within the fort.

Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

The Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse is cared for by the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses. The group ran tours from 2001 to 2022, until a winter storm washed away the walkway to the base of the tower and later storms badly damaged the base itself.

After repairs and new staircases, tours returned with a ribbon-cutting on August 7, 2026, which was National Lighthouse Day. The group has also announced a capital campaign to rebuild the historic footbridge at the light. Check its website for its current tour schedule and group or private tour options. It also hosts weddings and events, and it sells a history of the light, "The Light at Fort Point."

Where to stay

Wentworth by the Sea is New Castle's landmark hotel, at 588 Wentworth Road. It has welcomed guests since 1874, and it describes its iconic facade and towering turrets as a grand dame of the Gilded Age. The resort says it has hosted presidents and dignitaries. Today it is part of the Opal Collection, with a spa and the restaurant Salt. It was voted number 3 best resort in New Hampshire by U.S. News & World Report in 2026. This winter, starting in November, it is turning the lounge in Salt into Salt & Snow, an immersive winter pop-up open to both the public and hotel guests.

Great Island Inn is a smaller choice at 3 Walbach Street. It calls itself a modern, apartment-style inn, with twelve guest rooms and apartments in two renovated historic buildings. Ten of its studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments have full kitchens and in-room laundry, which suits longer stays. The inn notes that downtown Portsmouth is a five-minute drive, Kittery, Maine is about ten minutes, and Rye's beaches and state parks are about twelve minutes south.

Visiting in the off-season

Late fall and winter are a different experience on this coast. The whale watch and Isles of Shoals boats are docked until next year, but several highlights stay worth the trip.

• State parks and shoreline. Odiorne Point and the beaches along Route 1A are good for walks and views when the summer crowds are gone.
• Forts and the common. Fort Constitution and the New Castle Common make a quiet afternoon outing.
• A winter pop-up. Wentworth by the Sea's Salt & Snow begins in November and is open to the public, not just hotel guests.
• Longer stays. The Great Island Inn's kitchen-equipped apartments suit an extended visit.

Check each website for current hours before you go.

A day on the coast

1. Morning at Odiorne Point. Walk the shoreline and Fort Dearborn remains, then visit the Seacoast Science Center.

2. Midday in Rye. Drive Route 1A past Wallis Sands and Jenness, and stop at Rye Harbor to watch the boats.

3. Afternoon in New Castle. Visit Fort Constitution and Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, then wander the New Castle Common.

4. Evening. Have dinner at Salt at Wentworth by the Sea, or head into Portsmouth five minutes away.

Practical tips

• Boats are seasonal. Whale watches return in May 2027 and Isles of Shoals trips in June 2027.
• Beach parking is limited. Jenness has only 67 spaces; Wallis Sands has 500.
• Check lighthouse tour dates. Tours have only just resumed, and the Friends group announces dates on its website.
• Reserve science center tickets online before you go.

FAQ

What are the best things to do in Rye NH?

Visit Odiorne Point State Park and the Seacoast Science Center, spend time at Wallis Sands or Jenness State Beach, and in summer take a whale watch or Isles of Shoals trip from Rye Harbor.

Can you tour Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse?

Yes. Tours returned on August 7, 2026, after three years of storm damage. Check the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses website for dates.

When do whale watches run from Rye Harbor?

Granite State Whale Watch has finished its 2026 season and says trips return in May 2027.

Where can I stay in New Castle NH?

Wentworth by the Sea, a resort dating to 1874, or the apartment-style Great Island Inn on Walbach Street.

Sources

• Rye, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (population, state parks, beaches): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rye,_New_Hampshire
• New Castle, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (population, landmarks): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Castle,_New_Hampshire
• Fort Constitution, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Constitution_(New_Hampshire)
• Portsmouth Harbor Light, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth_Harbor_Light
• Isles of Shoals, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isles_of_Shoals
• Seacoast Science Center: https://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org
• Granite State Whale Watch: https://granitestatewhalewatch.com
• Island Cruises (Isles of Shoals tours): https://www.uncleoscar.com
• Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses: https://www.portsmouthharborlighthouse.org
• Wentworth by the Sea: https://www.opalcollection.com/wentworth/
• Great Island Inn: https://www.greatislandinn.com/