While it brings far fewer folks to our beaches, “October is awesome for surfing!” says Ryan McGill of Summer Sessions Surf Shop in Rye. (They will still be renting boards, but BYOW–Bring Your Own Wetsuit). October is also awesome for getting out and about before the snow flies, and temps can range from mid-50s to mid-70s.

It’s for the Birds

Head out to the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary for an eyeful of its bird conservation area. Visit this map to find your way and learn a bit more about which birds call this spot on the earth home, and how we can learn to give them a hand. Hint: You’ll become more familiar with the Willets, Saltmarsh Sparrows and our favorite, the Piping Plover. (Good news: 2018 was a record year for piping plovers hatching on NH beaches.)

Do You Go Out for Yoga?

Just a stone’s throw from the beach in North Hampton (if you’ve got a well-developed arm) is Throwback Brewery, the farm and gastropub that Annette and Nicole built with their four hands, ample spirits (and lots of great help.) In addition to their beer, their yoga is pretty terrific, too. Visit Sundays at 11 a.m. for a little upward brew in the pub after your downward dog.
BONUS: If you’re in the area on Sunday, Oct. 28, noon to 5 p.m., check out the family-friendly Halloween Harvestfest.

Fall Paddle out of Portsmouth

If you own a kayak, you know you don’t automatically hang it up to dry come October. The same goes for rentals. If you’re not adverse to calling first, visit Portsmouth Kayak Adventures. Conner says, “We do offer rentals in October, however our season will come to end at some point during the month – weather pending. We encourage guests to call ahead and to make reservations during this time of the year since we have different open and close times than our typical 9-5 summer period.” That means you can get out on the waterways and still explore throughout a portion of the month. Do it!

Pick this Orchard on Oct. 28

You can go apple picking many, many places, but a great place less than 4 miles from the beach for a fall festival almost every weekend is Applecrest Farm in Hampton Falls And, something you won’t find elsewhere is the 10th Annual Orchard Cross Bike Race, which takes place on Sunday, Oct. 28. This cycling tradition spans 100 years, and it’s a hoot to watch (“With plenty of sleek spandex, suped-up bikes and a 2-mile looped, multi-terrain orchard course, this cyclocross event is one not to be missed,” say organizers. Bonus are the kid’s race, all-ages costume rally and pumpkin carving contest. And seriously, look through these photos until you spy the giraffe–it’s legendary locally.

Get on Your Bikes and Ride!

If you’re a cyclist, or a cycling enthusiast, October is the perfect time of year to be in the Seacoast of New Hampshire, as the Krempel’s King of the Road Challenge takes place. This year, it’s Saturday, Oct. 20. This road cycling event is a fundraiser for the Krempels Center, a Portsmouth based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those living with brain injury. And note: It will be fun! Organizers stress, “This event is not a race, it is designed to be an enjoyable day of cycling and camaraderie.”

Explore, Learn and Trek by Twilight

If Twilight Tide Pooling is up your alley: You’re in luck! That’s just one of the adventures you can find at Seacoast Science Center in Odiorne State Park in Rye. Check out their Marine Mammal Rescue Program pages while you’re on the site– these are the folks that will know what to do if a whale washes ashore. Good peeps!