New York City is HOT in the summer. Looking for a cool way to escape the summer swelter? Try sitting inside with the air conditioning blasting as you ride a C&J Bus bus to the beach! Hop on one of our buses at Port Authority in Manhattan and ride with us to the seacoast of New Hampshire and Maine. Enjoy seafood, sailing, and a cool ocean breeze in Portsmouth or Ogunquit!
Our coaches are fully outfitted with all the amenities you need to make the trip as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Stretch out in our climate-controlled cabin featuring seats with extra legroom, free Wi-Fi, and watch movies on our own entertainment system! There’s even a complimentary refreshment galley onboard, complete with delicious popchips in a variety of flavors and a keurig machine to keep you fueled on your journey.
Before you know it, you’ll be chowing down on a lobster roll on the seacoast!
Experience Local History
Portsmouth was first settled in 1630, so there’s plenty of rich history to explore. While there are plenty of historical hours and homes to see, one destination not to miss is Strawbery Banke Museum. It’s a living history museum (meaning you can see live reenactments and tour guides wear historical costumes) spread out over 10 acres of land in downtown Portsmouth. Let yourself be transported through time as you roam through homes featuring colonial, Victorian, and early 20th-century architecture, and beautiful gardens blossoming with flowers, herbs, and decorative trees.
Set Sail on the Piscataqua River
The Gundalow Company in Portsmouth offers stunning sailing excursions on the Piscataqua River. Try a daytime sail (kids board for free!) or pack a picnic dinner and experience the breathtaking beauty of a sunset sail. Tickets range in price from $18 to $42 depending on the time of day and the type of trip you choose.
Shop at Local Boutiques and Dine Out
Portsmouth is home to a wide array of amazing, locally-owned stores. Looking for a new accessory for your summer wardrobe? Try Wear House for its curated vintage clothes, bags, and more! In search of a souvenir to bring back from your New England vacation? Pick up a unique handmade tote from Sea Bags. All of their items are made from recycled sails!
If you’re hungry, we recommend heading over to Green Elephant for Thai Ginger Noodles or Peanut Curry. More of a seafood lover? We can’t say enough great things about Geno’s Chowder & Sandwich Shop. Their lunch menu includes a selection of homemade chowders, lobster rolls, burgers, and sandwiches. The view is pretty sweet, too!
Head Up the Coast for a Day Outside
Take your rental car for a spin up the coastline to Ogunquit, Maine, or just take the C&J bus directly there from NYC. When you arrive, lounge on Wells Beach for an afternoon or take a bike ride along the coastline on Shore Road. Wells Beach is one of the best east coast beaches for families, so put it at the top of your to-do list!
When you see how beautiful Ogunquit is, you’ll want to spend the day outside. We definitely suggest heading to World Within to rent a kayak and paddle around the gorgeous Ogunquit River. You’ll get to kayak through the heart of the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, where you’re likely to see deer, herons, geese, and maybe even a moose!
Savor Ogunquit’s Flavors
Not to be outdone by Portsmouth’s impressive dining selection, Ogunquit has plenty of its own culinary gems. Joshua’s, located in a 230-plus year old farmhouse, is your destination for a rustic and delicious farm-to-table meal. Try wood grilled mushrooms or pan roasted Atlantic haddock and enjoy the one-of-a-kind setting. If you’d prefer a more casual setting, try The Front Porch and pair lobster risotto with a cold glass of white wine. Before your trip is over, be sure to treat yourself to a top-rated donut from Congdon’s Doughnuts (sugar cruller, anyone?).
Plan Ahead for your Fall Travels
After you’ve fallen in love with our stretch of the seacoast this summer, you’ll probably want to start planning your next trip! This October, attend Portsmouth’s 11th annual NH Brewfest at Cisco Brewers. Your ticket buys admission, beer samples, a souvenir beer sampling cup, and plenty of lively music and entertainment throughout the day. This is a very popular event, so be sure to get your tickets before they sell out!
To see more of our favorite spots in Portsmouth, check out our interactive map.
Ready to get out of New York City and cool down on the New England seacoast? Plan your trip with C&J Bus Lines today! Check out bus schedules and buy your tickets ahead of time to reserve seats for your seacoast getaway. We take the stress out of traveling–no more time spent fighting summer traffic or rushing to a crowded airport. Our comfortable, safe, and reliable buses from NYC will get you to Portsmouth or Ogunquit before you even know it!
