New Hampshire Seacoast Tour: Where People Actually Go to Shop

Hunter Letendre
5 days ago
3 min read

There are a variety of boundaries you could use to describe the New Hampshire Seacoast: Rockingham County, coastal towns only (Seabrook, Portsmouth, Rye, Hampton), or some other descriptor.

For me, it's the towns sharing easy access to the ocean on the east of New Hampshire's Great Bay, several shopping hubs, and historic and locally cultural landmarks.

The New Hampshire seacoast is one of the most desirable areas of the state, and with it, offers some of the best shopping. While Merrimack, Hillsborough, or the far west of Rockingham County offer the most commercial shopping, it's hard to beat the seacoast when it comes to New England charm, boutique experiences, and walkability.

I put together a short, fun video covering 3 of the Seacoast's most distinct shopping hubs. Check it out, and read the article below for a bit more detail.

Understanding the Shopping Layout of the New Hampshire Seacoast

Like most regions, you can travel to any town in the Seacoast and find a selection of shopping options. Stratham, for instance, has more car dealerships along its commercial street than any one town probably needs.

We're going to focus on the 3 main shopping hubs that anyone living to the east of the Great Bay would use the most often: Exeter, Portsmouth, and Newington.

Exeter

Located just off the highway, Exeter is easy to access while still feeling distinctly its own. It offers a full suite of everyday necessities alongside a compact, walkable downtown with classic New England character.

For daily needs, residents rely on familiar stops like Market Basket, Hannaford, CVS, and Shaws all within a short drive.

Downtown, the town shifts from practical to personal. Independent boutiques, shops, bookstores, cafés, and specialty shops line Water Street and the surrounding blocks, with local favorites like Waterstreet Bookstore and Me & Ollies Cafe anchoring the day-to-day rhythm.

One of the perks of living in the Seacoast is the accessibility! From Exeter, it's only about a 20-minute drive to reach the northern-most end of the region, Portsmouth.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is the cultural and commercial anchor of the New Hampshire Seacoast. Compact, historic, and highly walkable, it blends everyday convenience with one of the most active downtowns in the region.

Downtown Portsmouth is where the city really distinguishes itself. If you thought Exeter was charming, Portsmouth is the larger version.

Independent boutiques, bookstores, galleries, and specialty shops are tightly woven into Market Square and the surrounding streets, creating a downtown that’s active year-round. Local staples like The Press Room, Sault, and Laney & Lu, anchor daily routines alongside waterfront walks, Prescott Park events, and an unusually strong mix of dining and retail for a city its size. It’s polished but lived-in, and a place people actually use, not just visit (though the tourists do pour in come summertime)!

Newington

Newington functions as the Seacoast’s primary commercial hub. Just minutes from Portsmouth and directly off major routes, it’s where much of the region’s large-scale retail and everyday shopping is concentrated. The area around Fox Run Mall (soon to be rebuilt!) anchors the town, with national retailers and big-box stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Best Buy handling everything you might need.

Unlike Portsmouth or Exeter, Newington isn’t built around a walkable downtown, and that’s part of its role. It’s efficient, accessible, and designed for convenience, making it a frequent stop even for residents who live elsewhere on the Seacoast. For many households, Newington is where the practical side of daily life happens, balancing out the more boutique-driven town centers nearby.

If you’re considering a move to New Hampshire, understanding which areas of the state align with your goals matters!

Reach out to me, Hunter Letendre, REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty.

I serve New Hampshire, Maine, and Northern Massachusetts. As an area expert, I can help you explore homes, compare neighborhoods, or talk through market conditions.