Tag Archive for: activities

7 Fun and Healthy Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day on the Seacoast

Mother’s Day is a time to honor the incredible women in our lives. While flowers and brunch are timeless, sometimes the most meaningful gift is simply quality time spent together. This year, why not swap the restaurant waitlists and crowded gift shops for something a little more memorable?

Here on the Seacoast of New Hampshire, we’re lucky to have access to some of the most beautiful coastline, trails, and natural parks in New England. Whether your mom loves to move, relax outdoors, or try something new – there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate with her in a fun, active, and healthy way.

Here are 7 fun and healthy ways to celebrate Mother’s Day on the Seacoast:

 

Take a Scenic Coastal Bike Ride

Treat Mom to a leisurely bike ride along the Seacoast’s stunning shoreline. Begin in downtown Portsmouth and pedal out toward Rye via Route 1A. This route winds through the historic charm of New Castle, offers sweeping ocean views, quaint seaside cottages, and scenic beaches along the way. It’s the perfect mix of fresh air, gentle movement, and quality time – made even sweeter with a stop for coffee or ice cream along the way.

Explore the Rockingham Rail Trail

If Mom prefers a quiet ride or walk away from busy roads, the Rockingham Rail Trail is a fantastic option. This converted rail corridor stretches for miles through peaceful woodlands, wetlands, and charming rural areas. The wide, flat trail is perfect for casual biking or a long walk, and it’s ideal for chatting as you move at your own pace. Access points in Newfields allow for convenient parking to explore as much or as little of this trail as you desire.

Kayak or Paddle at Odiorne or Rye Harbor

If your mom loves being on the water, an afternoon of paddleboarding or kayaking could be the perfect outing. Paddleboarding challenges your balance and engages the core, while kayaking offers a more relaxed rhythm with a great upper-body workout. No gear? No problem. Local favorites like Portsmouth Paddle Co. and Portsmouth Kayak Adventures offer rentals, lessons, and even guided tours – making it easy for beginners to join in the fun.

Hike Mount Agamenticus or the Urban Forestry Center

If your mom enjoys hiking, there are plenty of local trails that offer both beauty and tranquility. Mount Agamenticus in York, Maine provides several loop trails and beautiful summit views. For something a little less strenuous, check out the Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth. It offers peaceful, wooded trails that are perfect for an afternoon stroll. The forest and mountains are great places to unplug, breathe deeply, and enjoy each other’s company away from the hustle of everyday life.

Visit Nubble Lighthouse and Stroll the Marginal Way

Make a scenic drive to York, Maine and surprise Mom with a visit to the iconic Nubble Lighthouse. It’s one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country—and for good reason. After taking in the views, consider walking a portion of the Marginal Way in nearby Ogunquit, a picturesque oceanside path with sweeping vistas and benches for a rest or a nice chat.

Celebrate Mom’s Green Thumb

If your mom has a love for gardening, flowers, or nature’s beauty, spend part of the day visiting your favorite local nursery or garden center – and then help her get her hands dirty by planting something together. Whether it’s herbs, flowers, or even a raised veggie bed – she’ll appreciate the help and time spent together.

Stroll Through Prescott Park and the Portsmouth Waterfront

Put your best walking shoes on and take a walk through Prescott Park and along the Portsmouth waterfront. By mid-May, the gardens are beginning to bloom, and the salty air and river breeze make for a perfect spring stroll. Grab a treat from a local café, browse the shops, or simply sit and take in the view together.

Is Pain or Injury Keeping you from Enjoying these Activities?

Mother’s Day lands at a great time of year to get outside and do something active with your loved ones. But if nagging pain or injury is holding you back – or has you hesitant to try something new this season – it may be time to seek help from a mechanical pain specialist. They will help you figure out the source of your problem and provide you with natural treatment methods designed to get you out of pain and back to doing everything you love quickly.

Local to the Seacoast? CLICK HERE to speak with a specialist now.

Dr. Carrie Jose, Physical Therapy Specialist, and Mechanical Pain Expert, owns CJ Physical Therapy & Pilates in Portsmouth, NH, and writes for Seacoast Media Group. If local to Portsmouth, NH, and looking for help – request a FREE Discovery Visit with one of her Specialists by CLICKING HERE.

5 Summer Activities on the Seacoast to Keep You Active, Healthy, and Mobile!

With the weather getting warmer, it’s time to start appreciating all the amazing assets that the Portsmouth area has to offer for summer fun! The best way to prevent back pain and all-around stiffness or soreness is to stay moving as much as possible, and what better way to do so than out in nature?

Here are some of our favorite places to walk, bike, and otherwise enjoy the outdoors!

 

1. Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge

The Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge includes more than 1,000 acres of protected land in Newington, NH. Its two main trails are open to both hiking and biking and offer a close look at the flora and fauna of the Great Bay area. While visiting the reserve, you might see bald eagles, foxes, otters, turtles, deer, and a huge variety of songbirds. There are two main trails for the public to explore this unique and largely untouched area. The half mile Upper Peverly Pond path is a boardwalk trail, meaning it is fully wheelchair accessible and inviting for both young children and seniors! The William Furber Ferry Way trail is a more ambitious, yet not intimidating, two miles that delves deeper into the forest and features a beaver pond and old orchard.

NH Wetlands

2. Picnic by the Sea at New Castle

New Castle’s Great Island Common is a perfect destination for a relaxed, yet active day spent outdoors. You can spend the morning kayaking, an excellent core and upper body workout, and then kick back with a picnic on the beach or lawn. The park area also offers a large playground if you’re accompanied by young children. No matter where you stand, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the ocean, multiple lighthouses, and boats entering and leaving the harbor.

3.  Take a bike ride around Portsmouth

Get some exercise in while riding along all of the scenic views that the Seacoast area has to offer! Port City Bike Tours brings groups on historic and coastal bike tours with 5 different routes to chose from for a private or public tour. All of the tour guides are local to the area and have a love for New Hampshire history and historic preservation!

4. Odiorne State Park

Odiorne is the ocean lover’s ideal hike- gorgeous views of the rocky coastline, twisting trails through the woods that open up onto a salt marsh, and a paved bike path all in one place. Odiorne is comprised of about 330 acres of protected land, and is open year round to walkers and explorers! In the summer, you can even go tidepooling while you walk along the shore. You might find sea stars, snails, minnows, crabs, and more! And you will undoubtedly see seagulls throughout the entire coastline walk. On the wooded trails, you could come across deer, songbirds, chipmunks, and squirrels. Odiorne is a great place to stretch your legs and get some fresh air while enjoying the seacoast at its best!

5. Try Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Stand-Up Paddleboarding is a perfect way to get a core workout in while enjoying the ocean! This low-impact outdoor activity has gained popularity over recent years not only for being great exercise, but also because standing at your full height above the water gives you a unique view of your surroundings – which are beautiful at any location along the Seacoast! The balance and core stability that goes into paddleboarding is something we focus on with our Pilates program as well. In fact, Pilates and paddleboarding would be great activities to pair this summer!

Is pain getting in the way of you doing your favorite summer activities?  CLICK HERE for a free discovery visit with one of our specialists to see how we can help!

Carrie Jose, Physical Therapist and Pilates expert, owns CJ Physical Therapy & Pilates in Portsmouth, NH.  To get a free copy of her guide to taking care of back pain – click here.