Nature’s Gem: Rye Beach, NH
For many New Hampshirites or Seacoast lovers, Rye Beach is not a secret coastal village on the New Hampshire shoreline. It’s a well-known, well-heeled community filled with beachfront homes and a curvy coastline.
But for this New Yorker, I had never heard of Rye Beach until we made the spontaneous decision to move to the Granite state. That crazy decision has gifted us with daily sunrises, a rocky coastline, and golden salt marshes. All things I could not see on Google maps as I peered into my computer back in New York.
It’s only been a few weeks but here are some reasons why we are falling in love with Rye Beach:
The Coastline
Known as The Seacoast, New Hampshire boasts 18-miles of shoreline, with much of it being walkable. There are beaches, boardwalks, sidewalks & rocky paths - all along the Route 1A trail - and (in my opinion) nowhere does it get more beautiful than in the Rye/ North Hampton area. Stroll atop the rocky hills at Little Boar’s Head and listen to the waves crash below you. Or walk the stone wall in Rye while taking in the expansive view of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a long, peaceful walk that allows you to connect with nature.
Along the way, you might find messages written with rocks (or on rocks) like this:
The Sunrises
Looking for awe? Look no further than an early-morning sunrise. Few words do it justice. Imagine a wide open sky, glistening water, and light so bright & orange you have to squint to take it in.
From most places along the NH coastline, you will get a great view of the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean since the coast faces east. What you also get during these sunrises is silence. It’s just you and the birds. The herons fly over the marshes. The geese squawk their way south. It’s a magical way to start your day.
The Sea Glass
A rocky coastline provides locals & vacationers with a few perks that a sandy coastline might not. 1) The rocky coast makes the waves sound much louder as they turn on the shore and bring in & out rocks. It’s nature’s very own sound machine, helping you clear your head. 2) A rocky coast also brings in lots of sea glass! Locals brag about the bottles of sea glass they have collected on nearby beaches, particularly Sawyers Beach. At the same time, out of towners travel an hour + to spend a day at Rye beaches collecting white, green and blue sea glass. Hunting for sea glass is both fun and meditative. You get into a zone as you comb through the pebbles and if you’re lucky enough (or patient enough), you might head home with a sizeable piece of sea glass in your pocket.
