Travel Directions & Area Attractions

Old Stage Campground is located about 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. You can enjoy the beautiful beaches, take a cruise, or relax at the campground! When the urge for adventure beckons you from beyond, the following is just a small sampling of some of the fine attractions that are only a short distance away.

From Interstate 95 Exit 4 (Portsmouth) take Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16) to exit 8W. (The 8W is important!) Take Rt. 9 West 2½ miles to Old Stage Road. From the intersection of Rt. 125 and Rt. 9, take Rt. 9 East 3 miles to Old Stage Road.

GPS: N 43 18.452 W 070 93.125

Attractions

The Children’s Museum - The Children's Museum offers dozens of activities and exhibits for the young, including the Art Gallery; Build It, Fly It; Dino Detective; First Impressions; Kaleidoscopic; Music Matrix & Sound Watch; the Cocheco River System, and the Yellow Submarine. For nearly 27 years, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire has served as a vital resource to teachers and schools throughout the area. Educational exhibits and programs have transformed the traditional class field trip to an engaging learning experience for students of many ages.

Childrens Museum

Strawbery Banke Museum - Visitors to Strawbery Banke have the opportunity to experience and imagine how people lived and worked in this typical American neighborhood throughout four centuries of history. Through its restored houses, its featured exhibits, its historic landscapes and gardens, and its interpretive programs, Strawbery Banke tells the stories of the many generations who settled in the Portsmouth, NH, community from the late l7th to the mid-20th century.

Strawberry Banke Museum

Prescott Park, Portsmouth NH - Stretching along the Piscataqua River from lower State Street to Mechanic Street are over ten acres of flower gardens, walkways, seating, docking and grass areas all designed for public use and recreation. In the summer a "trial garden" is planted with over 500 flower varieties. There is a “formal garden” featuring trees and the sense of a park-within-a-park. In addition there are fountains, tree lined walkways, a flower wall and a separate rose garden for the public to view. Also, during the summer months, Prescott Park plays hosts to a juried art show co-sponsored with the New Hampshire Art Association, and the Prescott park Arts Festival. The Arts Festival combines a series of musical performances and full-length plays performed “alfresco” and under the stars.

Prescott Park

Water Country - For over 35 years, Water Country has been the go-to destination for wholesome family-friendly fun in New Hampshire. Water Country is New England's largest, cleanest, safest, and friendliest waterpark, featuring family-friendly rides and attractions like Big Ollie, Dr. Von Dark's Tunnel of Terror, and our a 1/4 mile-long adventure river. Come visit the best water park in New Hampshire for one of our many special events, great family dining options, and much more!

Water Country

Portsmouth Harbor Cruises - Portsmouth Harbor Cruises hosts narrated cruises that are casual, sometimes amusing, always informative. Whether discussing the bird-life of the inland waterways, the folklore of the Isles of Shoals, the ship building history of Portsmouth harbor, or just musing on the ever changing tides of the Piscataqua, PHC captains always have something of interest to offer.

Portsmouth Harbor Cruise

Albacore Park - Explore the fastest submarine of her time, the USS Albacore. The 205-foot vessel, whose motto was “Praenuntius Futuri” (Forerunner of the Future), pioneered the teardrop design used by modern submarines and was used as a laboratory to test new control systems, dive brakes, sonar systems and hydrodynamics. Submariners memorial garden and museum filled with Navy memorabilia. 600 Market Street, Portsmouth • (603)436-3680

USS Albacore

Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. - Enjoy Isles of Shoals and Portsmouth Harbor Tours, Star Island and Scenic Lighthouse Cruises. In the evening, enjoy Dinner Cruises and Party Ships. Private charters and weddings available. The kids will also enjoy the Blue Ocean Society Touch Tank dockside filled with marine flora and fauna from local waters.

Isle of Shoals

York's Wild Kingdom - A family oriented zoo and amusement park conveniently located in York Beach, Maine. With a large number of beautifully landscaped animal exhibits; numerous rides for all ages plus food and ice cream stands, gift shops and so much more, families always enjoy a full day of fun here. There's also a clean sandy beach within walking distance. The quaint shops and restaurants in downtown York Beach are well known to all and are a perfect way to round out the stay.

Yorks Wild Kingdom

Great Bay Stewards/Great Bay Discovery Center - A wildlife preserve on Great Bay featuring a discovery center with exhibits and miles of nature trails that ring one of the world's most diverse estuarine areas. The Discovery Center is an environmental interpretation and education facility funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the N.H. Fish and Game Department. Education programs at the center are facilitated by volunteer educators, the University of New Hampshire Sea Grant Marine Docents, and interns under direction of the staff.

Great Bay Center

Seacoast Repertory Theatre - Seacoast Repertory Theatre is a community gathering place, a resource where our community comes together to share entertainment and stories; it is a place for reflection on life, and a place for celebrating the essence and hope of humanity. Locally and regionally, people plan their summers around our productions and travel to the Seacoast to experience our work. In the winter our subscribers engage in a dialogue around compelling and high quality work including packed pre-show symposiums and post-show discussions.

The REP

Nubble Cape Neddick Lighthouse - The Nubble Lighthouse, perched atop a rocky outcrop in York Beach, Maine, stands 41 feet high, 88 feet above sea level. The Nubble began operating in 1879 after a five-year construction effort. It was painted white in 1902 after initially being red or possibly brown. Its red beacon flashes at six-second intervals and can be seen from 13 nautical miles away.

Nubble Cape Lighthouse

Portsmouth Harbour Trail - Portsmouth boasts 400 years of history, culture, architecture and scenic beauty. You can see it all along the Portsmouth Harbour Trail. (603) 610-5510

Rye Airfield - New England's PREMIER skatepark and BMX track for kids of all ages. Ramp Camp with lessons & clinics; birthday parties & Lazertag, something for everyone.

Dover Bowl - Located in the Shaw's plaza on Central Ave., Dover, NH. - Ten Pin and Candle Pin - Leagues - Arcade/Funhouse - Bar - Function Room - Poker Room - Birthday Parties.

Hilltop Fun Center - Family Entertainment Center featuring: Miniature Golf, 4 Go Kart Tracks, Laser Tag, Batting Cages, Golf Driving Range, Arcade (50+ games), Birthday Parties & Snack Bar.

Portsmouth Shopping - Portsmouth enjoys a healthy and vibrant downtown business climate. Boutiques and specialty shops, 99% of which are locally owned and operated, have made Portsmouth a virtual cornucopia of styles and tastes. Stroll downtown and discover some true treasures for every member of the family.

For bargain hunters, the nearby Kittery and Tanger Outlets in Maine provide more than 120 shopping choices. Explore a wealth of stores featuring name brands like Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, and the Lindt Chocolate Factory Store.

Culinary Tourism - With hundreds of restaurants, and a vibrant arts and cultural scene, Portsmouth (population 21,000) is a small “foodie” haven with one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per-capita in the nation. We invite you to experience our deliciously dine-able destination.

Nippo Lake Golf Club and Restaurant - Nestled in the woods of Barrington lies this landmark that many frequent. The breathtaking view and abundant wildlife makes for an enjoyable day of golf. Nippo Lake Golf Club is one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in the state. For decades Nippo Lake Golf Club has been entertaining golfers with a challenging course and fine food and drink in a friendly atmosphere.

Cochecho Country Club - Founded in 1923, Cochecho Country Club is a private country club in Dover, New Hampshire featuring a traditional 18 hole, championship golf course, uniquely designed and built by two different architects from two differing eras - Messrs. Wayne Stiles and Phil Wogan.

The Links at Outlook - Enjoy our undulating bent grass fairways and greens, which are surrounded by rolling dunes and scattered sand bunkers that come into play throughout this 140-acre course. Golfers will enjoy many spectacular and breathtaking views that will captivate them while playing our Par 71/6,500 yard championship course.

Pease Golf Course - Pease Golf Course is a public course and was built in 1901 on the grounds of Lafayette Road (Langdon Farm) in Portsmouth, NH. From its early proponents to those that tee off on the greens today, all have helped to shape and constantly improve the course over time. Most recently, in 2000, a third nine-hole course was added to the original course.

Double Eagle Golf Center - Double Eagle Golf Center where practice makes perfect. Double Eagle is a full-service practice and instructional facility designed to help you improve every aspect of your golf game. Whether you're brand new to the game or a highly experienced player, nothing will help you improve your level of play faster than proper practice techniques and instruction in the fundamentals. Whatever your skill level, our staff is committed to helping you play your best game.

Bellamy Park Disc Golf Course - Bellamy Park Disc Golf is an 18 hole course with challenging fairways that wind their way through Bellamy Woods in Dover. A great course for beginners and a challenging course for seasoned players, it offers a variety of terrain and elevation to test whatever throws you have to offer. The course is free to play!