Overview
Hampton is a city in New Hampshire along the coast. It includes the small village of Hampton Beach, a popular tourist spot.
1 sights · 14 things to do · 9 places to eat · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hampton
Hampton Beach State Park
No pets. Swimming, fishing, picnicking, and RV camping with full hook-ups.
Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Concerts and shows.
Tuck Museum Complex
Al Gauron Whale Watching
State Pier.
Master Sand Sculpting Competition
Mid to late June. Ten days of professional invitation-only sand sculpture. Even with lights at night!
Hampton Beach Seafood Festival
Early September (8th-10th in 2006). Over 150,000 turn out for great food, arts and crafts, end of season sales, a kiddie land, two stages of continuous entertainment with over 15 bands and orchestras. In 2006 the U.S. Ai…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Dec. (climate data from nearby Seacoast)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PSM Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, Portsmouth — 10 mi away. Directions
- MHT Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Manchester — 30 mi away. Directions
- BOS Boston Logan International Airport, Boston — 41 mi away (major hub). Directions
Some commercial flights are available into Pease, but Hampton is primarily accessible by flights into Manchester and Portland, both an hour by car, or Boston, roughly an hour and a half car ride in good traffic.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $42–$47 a night (typical $47), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$120, comfortable ~$210.
Options are grouped as Campgrounds in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Tuck Museum Complex, Al Gauron Whale Watching, Annual Hampton Beach Talent Show
- Lunch Blink's Fried Doe
- Afternoon Nightly concerts, Annual Catamaran Regatta
- Dinner Boardwalk Inn & Cafe
Day 2
- Morning Hampton Beach State Park, Master Sand Sculpting Competition, Children's Festival
- Lunch Breakers Cafe Lounge at Ashworth Hotel
- Afternoon Miss Hampton Beach Pageant, Harvest Moon Fall Festival
- Dinner Coffee Break Cafe
Day 3
- Morning Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach Seafood Festival, Fireworks Displays
- Lunch Farr's Famous Fried Chicken
- Afternoon Little Miss Hampton Beach Pageant, Hampton Beach Tow Rodeo
- Dinner Big Steve's Italian Sausage
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
Some commercial flights are available into Pease, but Hampton is primarily accessible by flights into Manchester and Portland, both an hour by car, or Boston, roughly an hour and a half car ride in good traffic.
- Manchester Airport, Manchester, NH.
- Pease International Tradeport, 36 Airline Av., Portsmouth, NH. Served only by two airlines: Allegiant Air, Phone: +1-800-432-3810; or Pan Am Clipper Connection, Phone: +1-800-359-7262.
- Portland International Jetport, Portland, ME.
- Logan International Airport, Boston, MA.
By car
From Boston: I-95 North to New Hampshire Exit 1 for Route 107 towards US-1/Seabrook. Route 107 to a left onto US-1 North/Lafayette Road.Take the Hampton Beach exit off US-1, and merge onto Route 101 East. Turn right onto Route 1A South/Ocean Boulevard.
From the north, take I-95 South to New Hampshire Exit 2, Route 101 towards Exeter/Hampton Beach. Merge onto Route 101 East on the left. Turn right onto Route 1A South/Ocean Boulevard.
Get around
Ocean Boulevard is the main street in Hampton Beach, along the main beach area and shops.
See
Do
Do Master Sand Sculpting Competition
Mid to late June. Ten days of professional invitation-only sand sculpture. Even with lights at night!
Do Hampton Beach Seafood Festival
Early September (8th-10th in 2006). Over 150,000 turn out for great food, arts and crafts, end of season sales, a kiddie land, two stages of continuous entertainment with over 15 bands and orchestras. In 2006 the U.S. Air Force Band Afterburner will perform an inspiring patriotic medley leading up to a fireworks display on Saturday, September 9th; and a sky diving show on Sunday, September 10th.
Do Children's Festival
This annual event consists of five days of free events for children and their families. It is great for kids of all ages! It features magic shows, sand castle competitions, talent shows, free ice cream, a costume parade, story telling and more.
Do Nightly concerts
Performers, entertainers and bands on the Sea Shell Stage from May to September.
Do Little Miss Hampton Beach Pageant
Do Annual Catamaran Regatta
Do Harvest Moon Fall Festival
Do Hampton Beach Tow Rodeo
This popular event features a huge parade of trucks, vendors, a rodeo competition, food raffles, and family oriented activities.
Eat
Eat Blink's Fried Doe
From cinnamon & sugar, butter, and apple to crazy flavors like pizza and peanut butter & jelly, Blink's has every kind of fried dough you could ever imagine!
Eat Boardwalk Inn & Cafe
Serves lunch and dinner.
Eat Breakers Cafe Lounge at Ashworth Hotel
Eat Coffee Break Cafe
A cozy little cafe serving lots of coffee and backed goods with an assortment of soups, sandwiches and wraps.
Eat Farr's Famous Fried Chicken
Farr's is famous and unique to Hampton Beach. The menu has everything from ribs and wings to chicken and meals and fried buckets.
Eat L Street Tavern 603
Italian, Seafood, BBQ and more. Karaoke nights on Friday!
Eat Purple Urchin Restaurant
Located on the 2nd level of Hampton Beach Casino.
Eat Sea Ketch restaurant
Seafood, steaks, sandwiches, salad and children's menus. Serving lunch and dinner, also live music!
Sleep
Stay Drift Motel
24 studios and suites in the Island section. Heated pool, laundry room, ample parking. Full kitchens and private decks in most rooms. Open all year.
Stay Marguerite Motel
Includes a family friendly pool. The rooms are spacious with a small kitchenette and bathroom.
Campgrounds
The nearby town of Salisbury has additional camping options.
Nearby
Seabrook
City / town · 3 listings · 3 mi away
Exeter
City / town · 14 listings · 6 mi away
Salisbury
City / town · 9 listings · 7 mi away
Amesbury
City / town · 17 listings · 7 mi away
Newburyport
City / town · 36 listings · 9 mi away
Odiorne Point State Park
Park · 2 listings · 10 mi away
Portsmouth
City / town · 48 listings · 10 mi away
Kittery
City / town · 11 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
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