Things to Do in Jenness Beach

Flickr - Photo by Ben Tolosa

Jenness State Beach is a small state park located on the Atlantic Ocean in the town of Rye, New Hampshire.

The park offers swimming at a sandy beach with a bathhouse and picnicking.

The roadside metered parking can accommodate 67 cars. You can also find a surf shop, inn, and a number of eateries just across the street.

This is the perfect place if you want to try surfing alone or together with friends and family.

Let's explore together with Tripboba.

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ONE DAY TRIP IDEA

Jennes Beach is much quieter and smaller compared to the nearby Hampton and neighboring beaches. Jenness Beach parking is quite limited, which keeps the crowds down. This way, you can enjoy the beach more freely by swimming, surfing, strolling, or simply sunbathing.

Jenness beach surf is such a great outdoor beach activity that you shouldn’t skip. Even if you don’t have your own surfing board, you can grab one from a surf shop just across the street. If you prefer diving right into the water, it’s better for swimming in summer time since it has a deeper bay.

You can also enjoy the beach from seashore for there is a mile of beach to walk. Jenness Beach dog rules state that no pet is allowed during the operating hours, but you can take your dog with you before 9 am and 7 pm. They also supply doggie bags!

THINGS TO DO FOR FREE

You can basically enjoy swimming, surfing, sunbathing, or strolling through the beach. You can also do other beach activities for free by providing your own equipment. There are some lifeguards ready to keep the place safe but you also be careful when bathing in the water.

There’s also a new bathhouse onsite which is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day until Labor Day. Compared to the old one, the current bathhouse offers more amenities with changing rooms, a rinse-off shower and a family bathroom.

HEALTH ADVISORY

There’s an off-season for the beach where it’s not staffed and you can pretty much access the beach freely with no charge. However, bear in mind that the off-season poses unique risks inherent when participating in outdoor recreational activities, so you should possess the necessary knowledge, skill, and equipment to ensure your own safety.

Moreover, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, there are some guidelines you should follow during your visit to the beach. Sunbathing and other traditional beach activities may resume on the beach, effective June 5, 2020. Beach goers must still remain 6 feet from other groups. It’s also important to wear a mask or face shield and keep a good hygiene by washing your hands with soap or a hand sanitizer.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Jenness Beach opens full-time for the season. Metered Parking hours are from 8:00 am to midnight. Bathhouse is open from 8am to 8pm each day until Labor Day. This park is always open for recreation unless closed or restricted by posting. During off hours and the off-season the park is typically not staffed and comfort stations are not available and gates may be closed.

BEST WATER SPORTS

The beach is very popular for swimming and surfing. Summer Sessions Surf Shop is just across the street where you can shop your surfing equipment and also get a surfing lesson for beginners. The owner and all the employees are extremely nice and friendly, a lot of visitors just can’t get enough of this shop!

Summer Sessions Surf Shop

Offering surf lessons with professional instructor and rental equipments.

Address : 2281 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870, USA

BEST HOTELS AND RESORTS

The Dunes Motor Inn is a family-owned seaside resort situated on Jenness Beach. The friendly, family atmosphere is a bonus to the incredible ocean side resort. Open from mid-May through September 30th, you will enjoy the ocean side built in swimming pool, a complimentary continental breakfast with waffle bar, outside common area overlooking Eel Pond and a family picnic area.

Dunes Motor Inn

Waterfront hotel come with comfortable rooms and stunning views by its window.

Address : 2281 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870, USA

BEST RESTAURANTS

For a nice dining experience during your visit at Jenness Beach, go visit the Carriage House Restaurant. This upscale American cuisine highlights seafood which is presented in a relaxed backdrop with ocean views. Partner and Executive Chef Brett Cavanna is inspired by the fishermen and farmers he works with on a daily basis and by the ingredients they produce.

Raw bar offerings feature a selection of oysters, crudo and caviar. Chef Cavanna pulls inspiration from the seasons with an approachable menu fitting of his seaside, modern tavern which you’ll absolutely love.

Entrees including lobster, skirt steak, and the scallops becomes customers’ favorite. They also provide you with a wide selection of cocktails and wines. To top it off, the atmosphere and service make this a perfect place for a special occasion.

Carriage House Restaurant

Great food! Was closed the 1st day we wanted to eat there, but caught the buffet the next day. Great fish and fried chicken! Our server, Dallas took good care of us. Wish we could have tried the dips with the biscuits, but maybe...

taste bud delight my wife and I ate there recently she had the fish and I had the shrimp bacon and mushroom pasta the salads had a great pepper jelly vinaigrette

Going to Natchez, Try This One With a party of 7, all having been back and forth through downtown Natchez, it came time for lunch. A good table was ready, a great server named Janice making everyone feel comfortable, we sat down...

Address : 401 High St Stanton Hall, Natchez, MS 39120-3226

TOP FOODS

For a quick bite, Jenness Beach Pizza & Grill will be a perfect place for you. The pizza restaurant is just across the street, serving comfort food in their breakfast and lunch menus in a casual setting. It’s also highly praised for the great topping options, reasonable prices, yummy pizza and its quality of going local.
Summer Sessions Surf Shop also owns a coffeeshop called The Sandpiper Café where you can buy any snacks, coffee, bagels, beer or various sundries. The foods are top-notch; people visiting the beach also like getting their morning coffee here!

Sandpiper Cafe

Groovy atmosphere, trendy food. One of those places red necks would call hippie, but serves real food. Cute place with simple, yet comfortable decor, good coffee and lots of interesting options. No, it’s not a chain restaurant,...

A decent choice for an early breakfast I am actually kinda surprised by only a THREE star overall rating. As I observe, the typical Tripadvisor rater is fairly unassuming and tends to rate high. This would be one of those. I have...

Appealing and delicious breakfast I am glad I used TripAdvisor to find my way to the Sandpiper. It looked unassuming from the outside but it has a very pleasant, upscale feel on the inside. There a bevy of specials displayed on 2...

Address : 429 W Willoughby Ave, Juneau, AK 99801-1727

Jenness Beach Pizza & Grill

A family-own seaside restaurant offers pizza features outdoor and indoor seating with beach views.

Address : 2281 Ocean Blvd, Rye Beach, NH 03871, USA