Perfect Pairings: Double the Fun While Exploring Our Waterways!

The best way to experience the Great Bay watershed isn’t by checking off a list of places—it’s by pairing your favorite local stops with time spent on or near the water. Across the region, rivers have shaped our communities for millennia, connecting people from inland forests to the Atlantic coast, and many of our town and city centers grew up along these rivers, becoming hubs to some of our favorite local businesses and recreation sites. Today, they offer something just as valuable: a reason to slow down, explore somewhere new, support local businesses, and appreciate how these facets of life make each community in our watershed unique.

Whether you’re craving brunch before a paddle, oysters after a hike, or ice cream with a riverside stroll, read on and let a few of our favorite pairings inspire your next adventure.

Exeter: Sweet Treats and River Views

Stillwells + Swasey Parkway

Exeter-Squamscott River

Some traditions never go out of style. Grab a cone from Stillwells Riverwalk Ice Cream, then wander Exeter’s Swasey Parkway as the idyllic Exeter-Squamscott River winds through downtown. Watch herons stalk the shoreline, admire the historic mill buildings reflecting in the water, and linger long enough to catch the light changing over the river.

Perfect for: Summer evenings, family outings, and satisfying your sweet tooth.

Durham: Food Trucks and Waterfront Relaxation

Tideline Public House + Durham Town Landing

Oyster River

Order lunch from one of Tideline Public House’s rotating food trucks, or oysters from their Pop-Ups with Wagon Hill Oysters and Fox Point Oysters, then head to Durham Town Landing to enjoy your meal by the Oyster River. Watch rowing crews glide across the water, spot ospreys overhead, or simply relax at one of the watershed’s most peaceful public access points.

Perfect for: Casual lunches, birdwatching, and relaxing by the water.

Rye: Happy Hour Meets High Tide

Happy Hour at Kooks + a Beach Walk

Atlantic Coast

Kick off the evening with happy hour, great music, and a laid-back DJ set at Kooks before heading to Pirate’s Cove, Jenness Beach, or Wallis Sands for a sunset stroll. There’s no better way to end the day with salty air and crashing waves.

Local tip: Dogs are allowed at the beach in the evenings and early mornings (or outside peak summer season), and you can bring your furry friends to the outside patio at Kooks as well!

Perfect for: Date nights, catching sunsets, dog-walks, and unwinding after work.

Newmarket: Brunch Before the Paddle

Big Bean Café and Seven Rivers Paddling

Lamprey River

Fuel up with brunch at Big Bean Café before trading your coffee mug for a kayak rental. Seven Rivers Paddling makes it easy to explore the Lamprey River, one of New Hampshire’s federally designated Wild & Scenic Rivers. Paddle beneath towering trees, look for turtles and great blue herons, and enjoy a peaceful journey through one of the region’s most beautiful waterways.

Local tip: You can tie up your kayak and explore Doe Farm in Durham for a little break to stretch your legs!

Perfect for: Outdoor enthusiasts, daytime dates, avid kayakers and first-time paddlers alike.

Portsmouth: Picnic with a View

Takeout + Picnic in the Park

Piscataqua River

Grab takeout from your favorite casual Portsmouth restaurant (think Ohana, Flatbread Company, Lexie’s, or Bennetts) and spread out on a blanket at Prescott Park overlooking the Piscataqua River. In the summer season, stay for a Prescott Park Arts Festival performance or movie night, or book a sail with the Gundalow Company for a memorable view from the water.

Local tip: BYO Beverages to set the vibe, and enjoy access to well-kept public restrooms on the premises for when the need strikes. (Note: alcohol is not permitted in Prescott Park, but is allowed on the Gundalow Company sails).

Perfect for: Picnics, family nights, and making a whole evening of it.

South Berwick: History Meets the Outdoors

Hamilton House + Vaughan Woods

Salmon Falls River

Start with a visit to Hamilton House, where history comes alive overlooking the Salmon Falls River. Then explore Vaughan Woods State Park, where towering old growth white pines and hemlocks shade the winding trails, creating a calm and cool atmosphere. You’ll find many picturesque outlooks over the water, so bring your camera (or phone) with you!

Perfect for: History buffs, hikers, and photographers.

Kittery: Coastal Choices

Salty Spirits + Pick Your Own Adventure

Piscataqua River

Enjoy fresh oysters and cocktails at the newly opened Salty Spirits in Kittery Foreside, or find a restaurant with waterfront views, like Pepperrell Cove, Buoy Shack, or Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier, before choosing your next stop. Wander the colorful flower fields at Kittery Land Trust’s Nooney Farm and build your own bouquet, or explore historic Fort McClary for sweeping harbor views and a glimpse into the region’s military past.

Local tip: Stop by nearby Golden Harvest, Terra Cotta, or Maine Meat to pick up the next night’s dinner.

Perfect for: Weekend outings, girls’ days, scenic drives, or anyone who loves fresh seafood and local charm.

Dover + Durham: The Quiet Escape and a Taste of Local

The Bellamy Preserve + Emery Farm

Bellamy River

Take a peaceful walk around the Bellamy Preserve, also known as the Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary, where the Bellamy River ends its journey into the Great Bay estuary. The wooded trails, wetlands, and quiet water make this one of watershed’s hidden gems. Finish your outing with a stop at Emery Farm in Durham for drinks of your choice, homemade baked goods, farm-fresh foods, and the chance to stock up on locally-made products!

Local tips: Emery Farm offers seasonal Pick-Your-Own and hands-on farming experiences, plus, bring the kids and check out their petting barn! Wagon Hill Farm is located right across the street and offers additional walking and biking trails and views of the Oyster River and Little Bay if you want to extend the fun!

Perfect for: A solo adventure, birding, and wildlife photography.

Dover: Surprising Cuisine by the River

HiFi Burrito + Henry Law Park

Cocheco River

Grab a burrito from HiFi Burritos and head to Henry Law Park for lunch along the Cocheco River. Walk the riverfront, relax in the shade, and watch the water tumble over the falls in the heart of downtown Dover.

Perfect for: Lunch breaks, family picnics, and easy afternoon strolls.

Rochester: Brews and Riverside History

Back Hill Beer Company + Gonic Trails

Cocheco River

Start your outing with a locally brewed pint at Back Hill Beer Company, then head to the Gonic Trails to explore the historic Squamanagonic (Gonic) Falls area. Once a powerful waterfall that fueled early mills, the site is now best known for its industrial history and the ongoing restoration of the Cocheco River through the Gonic Dams Removal Project. Wander wooded trails, visit the former dam sites, listen to the rushing river, and discover one of the watershed’s lesser-known scenic and historic gems.

Perfect for: After-work adventures, craft beer fans, and discovering someplace new.

Milton: Farm Fresh Finds & Headwaters Adventure

Branch Hill Farm + Great East Lake

Headwaters of the Salmon Falls River

Spend the morning at Branch Hill Farm, where family-friendly trails wind through conserved forests, orchards, and working farmland. Then head north to Great East Lake, one of the pristine headwater lakes of the Salmon Falls River, and stop at Weeks Beach Boat Ramp for a quick dip or swim, or visit Lovell Lake Public Beach Access in Wakefield. Cute towns and lake adventures abound in this region!

Local Tip: Check the Branch Hill Farm calendar before you visit—you might catch a seasonal workshop, guided hike, paddle, or the popular Woods, Water, and Wildlife Festival.

Perfect for: Families, nature lovers, leaf peepers, swimmers, and anyone who wants to discover where the Salmon Falls River begins

One of the best things about the Great Bay watershed is that adventure doesn’t have to mean an all-day excursion (unless you want it to be!) Sometimes it’s as simple as trying a new restaurant before a walk by the river, paddling a stretch of water you’ve never explored, or discovering a quiet park just a few miles from home to enjoy the view.

Every river in this watershed—from the Bellamy and Oyster to the Lamprey, Cocheco, Salmon Falls, Exeter-Squamscott, Winnicut, and mighty Piscataqua—eventually finds its way to Great Bay. As you explore these places, you’re not just enjoying beautiful scenery; you’re experiencing the waterways that connect our communities, our history, our livelihoods, and our future.

So pick a pairing, invite a friend, and get outside! There’s always another river to discover, and another local favorite waiting just around the bend.