Rye

In 1623 the English established a settlement at Odiorne Point in what is now the largely undeveloped and picturesque town of Rye, making it the birthplace of New Hampshire. Today, the area's main draws include a lovely state park, beaches, and the views from Route 1A, which is prettiest if you follow it south, passing the group of late-19th- and early-20th-century mansions known as Millionaires' Row. Strict town laws prohibit commercial development in Rye, creating a dramatic contrast with its frenetic neighbor, Hampton Beach.