Sunken forests and a submarine on New Hampshire's coast

After getting your fill of amazing brews and food, stop by the famous USS Albacore. This research submarine was the first Navy-designed vessel with an underwater hull of cylindrical shape, which has become the standard for submarines worldwide. This particular submarine was used from 1953 to 1972. It was placed in Portsmouth’s Albacore Park in 1985, where it has been visited by curious passersby ever since. History buffs, especially those with an interest in the Navy, along with those who have ever dreamed of exploring the ocean floor, all flock to see this epic submarine and to also visit the Museum of Submarine History located nearby. It might seem like a small, overlooked part of history, but it's not to be missed.

Located in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Strawbery Banke is a 10-acre outdoor history museum featuring a plethora of American history. On the property, explore 8 heritage gardens, 32 historic buildings, and ever-changing,actor-lead demonstrations that reflect the rich history of the area. In addition to amazing grounds and exhibits, the museum also has a display of over 30,000 artifacts, and interprets the stories of the people who lived and worked in the Puddle Dock neighborhood. If you aren't a history buff, don't worry. The Banke also hosts an ever-growing number of special events and programs year long, so there is always something new or different going on. Make sure to check in advance what the property has in store for your visit, as the schedule is jam-packed with things to do.

Learn about New Hampshire's first royal governor, Benning Wentworth, (if that isn't a royal governor kind of name, I don't know what is) and his mansion at the Wentworth Coolidge Mansion Historic Site. Mr. Wentworth lived in this spacious 40-room mansion while serving from 1741 to 1767, and the property still reflects the architectural styles of that time. After walking through the mansion, feel free to take a leisurely stroll on the Little Harbor Loop Trail nearby. This relaxing trail is 1.5 miles long and curves along the waterfront, so feel free to take your time and soak up the beautiful landscape. This historic environment is a perfect way to relax and still feed your curiosity about our country's ancestors and the way they lived.

Located on New Castle Island east of Portsmouth, the Great Island Common is a unique area to visit. It is nestled next to the Maine and New Hampshire border, near the Piscataqua River on the north Atlantic Ocean. This 32-acre seaside green space is open 365 days a year. Once in the park, feel free to play frisbee, picnic with the family, walk along the beach, or take the kids to the spacious playground area. After perusing the park, feel free to grill out here. This family-friendly (and vast!) space is kind of like the backyard of Portsmouth, and a community feel makes it all the more special.

If you love learning about and connecting with sea life, including seals, dolphins, and porpoises, then the Seacoast Science Center is the place for you. The center is located within Odiorne Point State Park, and many people come to enjoy the special programs, touch tanks, and educational, entertaining exhibits daily. Feel free to peruse exhibits to learn interesting marine mammal facts, experience fascinating live animals from the Gulf of Maine, and hold a sea star from the touch tank. If touching the animals isn't quite your thing, don't fret. The Center also hosts the infamous Marine Mammal Rescue Team that responds to and takes care of marine mammals in the New Hampshire and Maine area. Some of the amazing animals the team attends to are Harbor Seals, Gray Seals, Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins, and Harbor Porpoises. If you love marine mammals, this is the place to be!

Right off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, off Rye North Beach, Petey's Seafood and Bar will help you refuel from a busy morning or afternoon spent on the New Hampshire coast. This local favorite serves up the best seafood grub, and they have the awards to back it up. The onion rings, fried claws, and clam chowder are renowned across the state, so you know you can't go wrong with a meal here. The restaurant has been catching, cooking, and serving its own food since 1990, and like a fine wine, it has been getting better and better with time.

Continuing along the coastline, Jenness State Beach would be a great place to unwind and digest your amazing meal from Petey's. Right outside the town of Rye, this great family location serves as a front seat to the Atlantic Ocean. The sandy beaches are ideal for laying out in the sun, playing frisbee, or even swimming in the cool ocean. This beach has showers to help you get rid of the pesky sand that you picked up along the way before getting back into your car.

If you're extra lucky, you might spy a glimpse of one of the sunken forests of New Hampshire here. While sightings are rare, it's mind-boggling to think that just below the surface of the water are 56 stumps that are thousands of years old-- once part of a massive forest. It's thought that long ago, the shoreline was 75 miles further east than it is today! Another sunken forest is back up at Odiorne State Park. Odiorne's "Drowned Forest" is made of 4,000-year-old white hemlocks and pines, and you can spot the tree roots at low tide.

After taking in all of the beautiful sights of the Fuller Gardens, Throwback Brewery will help quench your thirst and fill your belly. Throwback is a smaller brewery dedicated to crafting delicious, farm-fresh beers from local ingredients. This unique brewery has a vision: they aim to get 100% of ingredients from local suppliers. They're nearly to that goal, with about 70-90% of ingredients sourced locally today. In addition to the vision of locality, this eco-friendly brewery has some other delicious features. Throwback is the largest solar-powered brewery in New Hampshire, and offers in-house recycling of bottles bought and used at the brewery. Pretty cool! Lastly, this brewery also offers visitors a superb lunch and dinner menu to pair with the tasty beer selection. This mindful brewery will certainly leave you full and happy.