Family Vacations: Odiorne Point State Park

Visit Odiorne’s Seacoast Science Center before going to the beach to give your family a leg up on identifying the many creatures you’re likely to spot in the tide pools. All kinds of sea urchins, starfish, mollusks, and crabs inhabit the shoreline’s intertidal zone, and when the tide is low, there are many opportunities to see them. The Center’s aquariums and animal exhibits showcase coastal habitats from tide pools to the seafloor. Other exhibits detail the natural and human history of Odiorne and the seacoast area.

The state park includes Odiorne Point, the largest undeveloped stretch of shore on New Hampshire’s 18-mile coast. Its spectacular oceanfront is backed by marshes, sand dunes, and dense vegetation. An extensive network of trails, including a paved bike path, winds through the park. There are picnic areas, a boat launch, and a new playground. Fishing is also a popular pastime.

The land that makes up Odiorne Point State Park was purchased by the federal government during World War II and built up as a coastal defense base. Today the old bunkers are camouflaged in the hills and greenery of the park; a few are open for tours on holidays.

Address: Rte. 1A, Rye, NH

Telephone: 603/436-7406

Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Admission: $3 adults; $1 kids

Laura Sutherland is a widely acknowledged authority on family travel and has published several books on the topic, including Best Family Ski Vacations In North America and Tropical Family Vacations.

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