Durham- It's 90 degrees in May and you're sitting on the couch in your residence hall, wishing the air conditioner actually works. You want to go somewhere that will simultaneously help you escape the heat and have fun.
This predicament faces thousands of UNH's students each spring and fall. The cheapest and most viable way to avoid the heat is a relaxing day at one of the major beaches surrounding the UNH area. Three of the more well-known beaches within a reasonable driving distance are Hampton, Rye, and Salisbury.
The furthest of these beaches is just over 40 minutes from downtown Durham.
At any point on a nice day, with the exception of finals week, countless students can be found working on their tans and hoping to catch the next big wave to hit the beach.
Hampton Beach is the largest of the three beaches. In addition to being a world famous beach, the location offers many other forms of entertainment that will not leave a college student wondering where all their spending money disappeared for the month.
Throughout the day, the area offers beach goers concerts on its outdoor stage. Countless memorable restaurants also line the Hampton Strip. A unique feature that Hampton has over the other two beaches is its Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. At the ballroom, several noteworthy bands have visited to perform. Some of the highlights of last year's summer were Seether, OAR, and the Beach Boys.
Some of the more notable restaurants include the Sea Ketch Restaurant and the Ashworth Hotel Restaurant. Each has balcony atop a high building that enables patrons to enjoy their meal while looking out onto the open ocean.
One weekend every September, Hampton Beach is host to a seafood fest. Here, interested attendees can try out some of the best seafood from all across New England.
If you're not interested in going to a sometimes overly crowded beach like Hampton, but still want the atmosphere of the Hampton strip, Salisbury beach is a perfect alternative.
Along with its beach and strip there are multiple surrounding campgrounds that make a weekend trip to the beach possible. Two of these campgrounds are the Black Bear Campground and Pines Camping area. Each is within walking distance of the water.
Rye Beach is best known for being one of the premier surf beaches in New England. In the past it was considered to be host to ESPN's Summer X games.
Rye is the optimal beach for anyone that wants to have a chance to enjoy a beach without a vast number of the people around. It is generally considered the least crowded of the three beaches.
One of the notable attractions around the beach is the Rye Harbor State Park. It offers visitors a location to picnic, bike, and check out trails.
One attraction to consider around the beaches is setting sail on a whale watching tour. There are multiple boats that allow interested visitors to experience what may be a once in a lifetime experience.
In the event that it is too cold to go to the beach or there is rain in the forecast, there is still hope. Downtown Newburyport is a city that is full of options. Like Hampton and Salisbury, Newburyport offers people a chance to check out any of the countless small store and restaurants that surround the area.
The Newburyport Pier offers anyone to enjoy the sights and sounds of Newburyport Harbor free of charge.
Select charters will also take people on tours of the Merrimack River and Newburyport Harbor. They offer attendees a chance to experience the boating culture that surrounds the port. The boats range from sailboats embarking on a trip around the world to wooden lobster fishing boats making their weekly runs.
Next time you are trying to escape boredom and summer heat, remember that the beach is merely a short drive away.
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