Rye vacation rentals

From surfing to sunken forests, Rye is right on track

Originally called Pannaway Plantation, Rye is a charming seaside town overlooking the Atlantic Coast. Located little over an hour from Boston, it's renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches and great seafood, and it's stacked with New England charm. A Rye vacation rental makes a great base for exploring New Hampshire's Atlantic Coast. Go surfing off Jenness Beach, visit the Seacoast Science Center or the Sunken Forest, there's something here for everyone. After a full day on the beach, kick back with fresh lobster rolls and a bottle of local brew from one of the many seaside shacks.

Wild water parks and whale bones, Rye is a catch

A Rye vacation rental makes a great base for a big family getaway. A 3-mile drive from Rye, in the neighboring town of Portsmouth, the seasonal Water County Water Park is a great place for kids to cool off during the warm summer months. It has a variety of thrill slides, including Thunder Falls and Wild Canyon, a white-water rafting experience. For a more educational day out, head to the Seacoast Science Center in Odiorne Point State Park. This hands-on nature center features a variety of attractions, including touch pools and the skeletons of humpback and pilot whales.

Rye life's a beach - New Hampshire's Atlantic Coast

In the laidback seaside town of Rye, life revolves around the beach. Enjoy picnics on golden sands, take a whale watching excursion from Rye Harbor, or go deep-sea fishing off Star Island, part of the scenic Isle of Shoals. Popular with watersports fanatics, there are several surf shops overlooking Jenness Beach, which rent out surfboards and offer lessons. As the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean, take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk or kick back with a few beers and some freshly caught lobster in one of the local seafood restaurants.

Catch some summer rays in Rye

A popular seaside destination, Rye is New Hampshire's sizzling hotspot during the warm summer months. In July and August, temperatures can reach highs of 80 degrees, with very little rain. It's also the busiest time for Rye vacation rentals and the best ones get snapped up months in advanced. For the widest choice, visit in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when the seaside town is less crowded but the sun still shines. In winter, temperatures can drop as low as 20 degrees, and rainfall is likely, so pack layers and an umbrella.

Stump up for a visit to Rye's Sunken Forest

A 90-minute drive north of Boston, Rye is a seaside town overlooking New Hampshire's Atlantic Coast. A couple of miles north along the coast is Odiorne Point State Park, a 135-acre seaside park. Popular with both leisurely walkers and more hardy hikers, it has a vast network of trails through salt marshes and tidal beaches, all with sweeping views of the rocky coastline. If you're lucky, you may spot migrating whales. At the southern end of the park is the Sunken Forest, the stumpy remnants of an Ice Age forest which are only visible at low tide.

How to get to and around Rye

The nearest airport is in Logan International Airport (BOS), located 45.7 mi (73.6 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you might consider flying into Portsmouth, NH (PSM-Portsmouth Intl.), which is 6 mi (9.7 km) away.