Odiorne Point State Park is a public recreation area that opened in Rye, New Hampshire in July…read more1972. It is administered by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. The park is located along the Atlantic seacoast in Rye, not far from Portsmouth. The area is the site of the Pannaway Plantation: the first European settlement in New Hampshire. Settled in 1622, the plantation was completely abandoned by the 1630s when the settlers moved to nearby Strawberry Banke. The land was settled in the mid-1660s by the Odiorne Family, whom the park is now named after. From 1942 to 1947, the park was the home of Fort Dearborn. The ruins of the deactivated World War II-era fort can still be seen today. Today the park is home to hiking trails, bike paths, a playground, picnic areas, pavilions, and a Seacoast Science Center which opened in 1992. My family and I visited Odiorne Point State Park this summer while we were heading to Maine for a summer getaway. We had some time to kill before we could check in to our AirBnb, so we decided to stop at the park. We had fun exploring the grounds and my two sons especially enjoyed playing on the nautical-themed playground. The highlight of the park is the Seacoast Science Center. There are all sorts of exhibits devoted to the conservation of marine and coastal environments. My two sons loved learning about whales, local shellfish populations, the local fishing industry, the fight against ocean pollution, and underwater exploration. There was even a cool gift shop where we picked up a few things. Whether you live in the area or you're just passing through like us, Odiorne Point State Park is a fun place for the whole family!

I feel the need to preface all of my nature reviews with this: being 90% forested and having around…read more3500 miles of coastline, Maine (and NH) has a tremendous amount of spaces, walkways, paths, and trails of all kinds and of all levels. There's something for everyone. What I'm reviewing is how a spot compares to similar outdoor spots in my personal opinion. Being in nature - and remembering to carry in, carry out - is always five stars! :) Parking? Yes. Loop trail? Yes. Well marked signs? Yes. Element of surprise? Yes. I was looking for state parks in New Hampshire and this one caught my eye because of the name, if we're being honest. It sounded magical! So was the way it was advertised: "picnickers can enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and rocky shore, and explorers can uncover evidence of past military occupation. An extensive network of trails wind through the dense vegetation and traverse the park. [t]he property is also renowned for its... seven distinct habitats that can be visited within an hour's walk. Although the spectacular rocky shore is the one of the most notable, the woodlands, uplands, salt marsh, freshwater and salt ponds, and sandy beach (non-swimming) combine to create one of the region's most diverse nature walks." I like a little bit of everything, and this sounded like it had just that! The first time I came I bought a pass online; when we arrived it was a freak snowstorm and we were the only ones there. So we had a literal winter wonderland to play around it. The views from the coast were lovely and offer plenty of picnic tables to sit and enjoy yourself at, but exploring the woods that day was even more amazing - we spent a lot of time with a big buck who kept finding himself lazily meandering on the same trail as us. Thank goodness for binoculars! And the element of surprise! There was also some tremendously graffitied old batteries, a breakwater (that becomes nearly inaccessible when the tide is high; reversely when the tide is low that same area exposes a Sandy beach), there's an area called Pirate's Cove, an old cemetery, and Dolphin Fountain (which looks like it belongs in France, not NH). This became an immediate favorite! I can't wait to come back and see it in Spring and Summer! (SIDE NOTE: There's also the Seacoast Science Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, that provides educational exhibits related to the seacoast area for a separate fee; but, I haven't been able to check that out yet!)

The Rye Harbor State Park offers some great views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Isles of Shoals, and…read morethe Rye Harbor. This is a great place to do some saltwater fishing, have a picnic, or just to enjoy the scenic views. Others may utilize this spot for private events and for weddings. There is a fee to access the park, and when it is unstaffed for a portion of the year, there is a self-paying kiosk. Plenty of parking off the main road as well!

This little park has a beautiful view of the ocean. Please be aware that between the hours of 7am…read moreand 9pm, no dogs are allowed after April until late fall.

We had an absolutely fabulous time with Harvester Fishing Charters! This was, without a doubt, the…read morebest fishing charter we have ever been on. As a grandparent, what made the trip even more special was watching my grandson experience his very first fishing charter, and the captain and crew went above and beyond to make sure it was a day he will never forget. From the moment we stepped on board, we felt welcome, comfortable, and safe. The crew was incredibly attentive, and made sure we all had fun every step of the way. Seeing the excitement on my grandson's face when he caught his first Striper was a memory I will treasure forever. We came hoping to catch Stripers, and they made sure we did! Their knowledge, dedication, and hard work ensured everyone on board had a successful and enjoyable experience. It was clear that they genuinely cared about making sure every guest had a great time. Safety was always a top priority, and the captain and crew were professional, friendly, and knowledgeable throughout the trip. Their enthusiasm for fishing and commitment to their guests truly set them apart. The memories we made that day will stay with us for years to come. If you're looking for a family-friendly charter that is focused on safety, fun, and making sure everyone has an unforgettable experience, I highly recommend Harvester Fishing Charters. We can't wait to book another trip!

Fresh, tasty, overwhelmingly delicious Seafood! Money well…read morespent. for those who deserve the best!

Amazing personality, experience and fun while fishing with Tidewater. The owner, Bob, is not only…read moregracious and courteous- he knows his fishing! He took us out many times last summer and we cannot wait to go out again for summer 2013. We went out both alone and with a group of our friends for a little day trip. I highly suggest giving it a shot when you are looking for an adventure! Right off Kittery Point- easy to find. They have a facebook page for more info and pictures: www.facebook.com/tidewatercharterservices

Capt Bob put us on the fish with non stop action from catching bait to pulling in 40 plus inch…read morestrippers. Then topped it off with pulling traps and sending us all home with plenty of fish and a few lobster. Highly recommend. Also was great with teaching the kids about the fish and how the lobster traps work and what he's allowed to keep. Wonderful experience for the whole family

outstanding day with captain bob and 2nd mate tyler!! one of the best days i had in long time!!…read more highly reccomend!!!

Can't say enough about how nice the crew was. Great time had by all. The follow fishermen were also…read moregreat to hang with

A fantastic experience, the crew was all top notch and the Captain made sure the fish were…read moreplentiful. Thank you all for a perfect trip.

Ok I've been out with these guys three time they are friendly they put you on the fish very good if…read moreyour not getting keepers they move to a better spot. Yes seems some of there tackel for a whole 8 bucks can be deflected. But there are plenty of rods. I talk with them about what ever n they are very personable n friendly.

Went out for my first time deep sea fishing on the Sea Star last weekend for a full day. The…read moreCaptain and his mate were excellent teachers as well as patient with all of us on board. They were wicked friendly and more than willing to move if the fish were being picky or we were catching dog sharks. It was relaxing if nothing else. I will happily recommend them for future trips. I hope to head out with them again soon. :-)

Didn't really get on the stripers (4 for the boat) but the crew made it fun for the kids and we…read moredefinitely enjoyed it.

July is peak Mackerel fishing and if you go with Al Gauron you're sure to catch a ton. We went on…read morethe 4 hour morning mackerel fishing and every single person caught the legal limit of 20 fish. It was $40 per person and $6 per rod rental but the experience was well worth it. You can choose to take the mackerel home whole or the crew can cut them into filets. Great family friendly trip and plenty of fish for dinner Pro tip take Dramamine an hour before getting on the boat even if you normally don't get carsick.

My husband and his friends really enjoyed their fishing trip with Angler Management 101 and captain…read moreRoland! They are already trying to figure out the next time they can get together and go out on a charter with him again! They took time to show them how they catch bait fish. They then went out Striper Fishing. The guys came back with huge smiles and had a great time!

Ended up catching no fish after catching a couple mackerel for three hours and 30 minutes. We…read moregrabbed our rods and got absolutely nothing. After about two hours. He decided to give up by going past the bridge near the dock turned off his engine and lettuce fish there for absolutely nothing biggest waste of $800.