It is yet another rainy day here on the Seacoast of New Hampshire. If you are one of the lucky ones to have chosen this week for your vacation, you have my sympathy. At this point, what can you do but make the best of it.
With a prediction of more rain throughout the week, I thought you could use some suggestions on things to do in the area.
1. The Mall is the obvious choice, but keep in mind that others will have the same idea. Malls and movie theaters will be crowded. That said, there are three malls in the area, The Fox Run Mall, The Mall of NH, and The Maine Mall.
2. Manchester If you head to the Mall of NH in Manchester, you could also visit the Currier Museum of Art and SEE Science Center.
3. Barrington For less traditional (and less crowded) shopping, visit The Christmas Dove in Barrington. A Christmas wonderland, it is one of the largest Christmas stores in the country. Across the street is Calef's Country Store, famous for their cheese, maple sugar products, gift shop, and country deli.
4. Dover Shopping on the Seacoast would not be complete without a visit to Salmon Falls Stoneware and Red's Shoe Barn in Dover. While there, you could also take the kids to The Childrens Museum of NH and The Woodman Institute.
Other historic and educational choices in the area include:
5. Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Concord
6. Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point in Rye
7. Albacore Submarine in Portsmouth
8. Kittery, Maine. In addition to all the outlet shopping, the granddaddy of shopping experiences on the Seacoast is Kittery Trading Post with three levels of the most extensive selection of outdoor recreational equipment, clothing and footwear in New England.
9. North Conway There's tons of outlet shopping at Settlers Green Outlet Village and White Mountain Outlets. One of my favorite stops, not to be missed, is Zeb's General Store.
North Conway is also home to New England's only indoor water park, Kahuna Laguna.
10. Local beaches You can still have fun at the beach when the weather isn't cooperating. The children will enjoy hunting for shells and driftwood and the boardwalk at Hampton Beach offers great atmosphere and lots of arcade fun.
11. Weirs Beach in Laconia Home to Funspot, the largest arcade in the world. They have over 500 games, indoor golf, bowling, bingo and even a tavern.
12. Day Spa
If a day at the arcades with the kids isn't your idea of "vacation" then maybe some spa time would be appealing to you.
Eight Winds Wellness Center & Spa in Hampton offers massage therapies and body treatments that will make you forget the rainy weather outside.
Don't let the weather ruin your vacation. Get creative and do something you otherwise wouldn't have had the chance to do. If you have children, the important thing to them is quality time with you...so make some memories!
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Hi Sharon
Looks like there's a lot to do in New Hampshire on a rainy day, I would head to the beach.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Sharon - this is a very nice post about things to do in your area despite inclement weather. Nice job. Personally, I would go for the day spa!!
Lou: Oh a brave soul! The beach can be a wonderful place on a cloudy, cool, or rainy day. No crowds and the ocean is still just as awe inspiring. Then there's the fried seafood...so good!
Sharon: Thanks. I agree, the spa is a good choice. Nothing like being under warm blankets, listening to soothing music, and getting a facial or massage.
Ok I pick #5, #6, #7 Sharon, I really, really want to go on the submarine! Woo-Hoo!!!
Cynthia: Good choices! It's still raining, I'm not sure how much more we can take! The sub doesn't go under water, by the way. But, it is fun to go inside. I had no idea what it was like inside and I was surprised at just how tiny an area they have to live in. I would be very claustrophobic and have some major panic attacks if I were in there for any length of time.
Well not to rub it in Sharon but it has been about 90 here with no humidity!!! I think it would make me kinda grouchy being cooped up.
Cynthia: It really is getting quite old. We are supposed to have a couple of nice days and actually see the sun on Sunday and Monday, but then another week of rain is supposed to be hitting us. Something is very wrong!
Sharon-interesting post, I like the pictures you used. I see one of the places to go is the Christa McAullife Planetarium. I have never been there but would like to get there one day. I occasionally think of her because I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was actually home from work because I was sick that day and saw the whole thing on tv and it affected me deeply hence such a strong memory of it. I think she was such an incredibly brave person and I feel for her family as well as the families of everyone else involved that day.
Debra: I remember that day vividly too. I was home with my babies and my mom and sister had come to visit with my niece. I remember how emotional we all were as we watched the horrible news on TV. I can't even imagine the pain for the families that day.
I've never been to the Planetarium either, but I would like to try and get there this year. Thanks!