Salisbury, Rye, Newburyport Beaches

MrsFoof

Does anyone have any experiences with renting a cottage at any of these beaches?  We usually rent a cottage on Cape Cod, but we are looking to switch it up this summer.  We would like a cottage right on the beach.  We would like lots of other options of things to do- go carts, mini golf, arcade, restaurants, etc.  I know Hampton is really close, too.  How are these beaches, are they nice, family friendly, etc?  Thank you!!

5000CandlesInTheWind

I haven't been to Rye, but out of your other options, I'd stick with Newburyport, which is one of my favorite places in MA.  Hampton and Salisbury are... dated. And kind of trashy, IMO. Salisbury is kind of a pit now (well, I don't know about the state beach, but the area around it), and Hampton Beach is like the Jersey Shore. But think  20 years ago. I like to go there for an afternoon, people gawk, play some skee ball, and then leave.

Edited to add- Hampton, Salisbury, and Newburyport are close enough that you can get to Hampton/Salisbury for the afternoon/evening for the arcades & mini-golf, and still get back there without driving for hours.

camedowncrushing

Well I am partial to Newburyport/Plum Island since I grew up spending every summer there.  There isn't a ton to do on the Island, but it is quiet and beautiful.  Newburyport has a great down town area.  Every year there is an annual event of "Yankee Homecoming" which is a fantastic week to be there.  There are a ton of family fun events this week. 

I wouldn't stay in Salisbury if someone paid me to.  

VMRRN23

No cottage experience, but just an FYI-the water is A LOT colder up on the north shore beaches than the cape. For that reason we usually go to the cape.  And I've never been, but Salisbury and Hampton are rumored to be very trashy (as PP said dated and jersey shore style).

love2nap

I don't have too much experience with these beaches... but I would stay away from Salisbury as people mentioned. I've driven by Rye beach a few times and it was nice but very small. There's not too much to it from what I've seen, but could be wrong. It's not far from Hampton Beach though. Hampton is nice but can get very busy. If you do Hampton, definitely rent something that you can walk everywhere too, because traffic can get really backed up since there's really only one way in and out. There's a lot to do on the strip, so there's really no reason to be driving anyway if your nearby. There's also a lot of concerts in the summer at the Hampton Beach Casino so it might be a fun thing to look into in advance to see if someone good will be there during your dates.