Hi Stephen,

The best beach around New Hampshire is, IMO, in Parker River National Wildlife Reserve on Plume Island just outside of Newburyport, MA. You may recall having seen pics from John (Neuro), BillW, and myself from Parker River. Great for birds (egrets, herons, hawks, etc), but...it also has great beaches. They have 7 lots 6 of which give access to the beach. The temps around mid-Sept are sometimes perfect (mid 70s/low 80s), but, of course, it can also be too cool. Parker river would be more of your "rustic" beach with limited to zero amenities. Between Portsmouth and Portland, there is only really one sand beach that I am aware of, and it is near the Nubble light, and that is York Beach in York ME. That beach is built up with some boardwalks and amenities (not as built up as Hampton Beach in NH). North of there, you tend to go to rocky beaches. There is Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, ME. That is a nice walk between the rocky shores of ME and houses. Some good restaurants too. I've actually only driven by York Beach. We tend to do Parker River or Salsbury beach in MA, or Seabrook, Jenness, or one of the Hampton Beaches in NH or head to RI.

Middle Mass, really depends on what you are interested, there are some nice waterfalls along the NH/MA border. There is a Science Center/Ecotarium (http://www.ecotarium.org/) I've heard good things about in Worcester. Then there is "Old Sturbridge Village," which is one of "living museums" where they are doing live reenactments of life set in historic times/Old New England. Similar places are Strawberry Bank in Portsmouth, NH or there is one in Plymouth, MA.

Getting into RI, I can help again. A few items. Providence, RI is underestimated, it is actually pretty nice. They have some good restaurants, nice walk along the river, and I can usually find reasonably priced hotels (granted, always less expensive outside city). Also, they have the water fire, which is a nice combination of neat for the family and photo opps. Granted, it can be crowded But, for tourism, I'd head to Newport. Thames street is a nice walk. Great bridge. Having lunch or dinner on the deck (not inside...no reservations for the deck), or just sitting on the chairs looking at the bay from Castle hill is a summer tradition for me (good for well behaved kids, granted, I was there with my nieces two years ago who were not well behaved and the staff were great). Then you have first/second beaches in Newport (we tend to go to second beach), the cliff walk, and Newport Mansions. I've never done Fort Adams, but probably should. Also, there are some nice walks at Sachuest Point. Then, nearby on Jamestown Island, you can check out a lighthouse/museum at Beavertail State Park. The other big thing in RI is taking the ferry to Block Island. As for beaches, you can pretty much pick'em. RI has some great beaches. I know some that like Scarborough State Beach, but other than the beaches in Newport, we tend to go to the beaches on the south shore (Matunuck to Charlestown).

Let me know as you get closer if you want ideas for quick waterfalls, etc. Surprisingly, there are a number of waterfalls that are easy walks from parking all over New England..err...I mean I struggle and suffer to hike to all the waterfalls you see me taking pictures of....it would never be within a 100 ft walk of parking.....


Having trouble inserting links, so I'll just add them below:

http://waterfire.org/schedule/2017-w...vent-schedule/
http://www.castlehillinn.com/
http://www.cliffwalk.com/
http://www.newportmansions.org/