New Hampshire has the shortest coastline in the nation. Just 13 miles of our state touches the Atlantic Ocean. You can drive up the entire New Hampshire coast in about half an hour (although it takes a lot longer in weekend traffic!), hitting Seabrook, Hampton, Rye and Portsmouth. However, hidden among those well-known coastal cities is New Hampshire’s smallest town: New Castle.

Marius Strom/flickr New Castle is a tiny town tucked beneath Portsmouth. It is made entirely of islands, and covers just 0.8 square miles. However, there is a lot of natural beauty packed into that space.

InAweofGodsCreation/flickr The town ties where the Piscataqua River meets the ocean. The area is full of beautiful inlets and marshes that are perfect for boating or fishing.

dchrisoh/flickr Because it is such a rich natural area, there is plenty of wildlife around!

Colleen P./flickr

cmh2315fl/flickr Its positioning also made New Castle a very important strategic point when our nation was young. Fort Constitution and Fort Stark were erected on the island to help protect Portsmouth Harbor from invasion.

Kevin Oliver/flickr Today the fort is open to the public, and the still operating Portsmouth Light House guides the way for boat traffic coming in and out of the harbor.

Paul Geffen/flickr One of the most beautiful spots in New Castle is Great Island Commons, a beach and park area on the Atlantic.

Crystal Paradis/flickr The park features gorgeous views, made even more beautiful by this sculpture, which provides plenty of fun for kids and photographers alike.

Giana Lindsey/flickr Whether it is framed or not, the beauty of New Castle is well worth a visit.

Imaginativstudio/flickr

Headed to New Castle? Check out this hidden beach that will take you away from it all!

Marius Strom/flickr

New Castle is a tiny town tucked beneath Portsmouth. It is made entirely of islands, and covers just 0.8 square miles. However, there is a lot of natural beauty packed into that space.

InAweofGodsCreation/flickr

The town ties where the Piscataqua River meets the ocean. The area is full of beautiful inlets and marshes that are perfect for boating or fishing.

dchrisoh/flickr

Because it is such a rich natural area, there is plenty of wildlife around!

Colleen P./flickr

cmh2315fl/flickr

Its positioning also made New Castle a very important strategic point when our nation was young. Fort Constitution and Fort Stark were erected on the island to help protect Portsmouth Harbor from invasion.

Kevin Oliver/flickr

Today the fort is open to the public, and the still operating Portsmouth Light House guides the way for boat traffic coming in and out of the harbor.

Paul Geffen/flickr

One of the most beautiful spots in New Castle is Great Island Commons, a beach and park area on the Atlantic.

Crystal Paradis/flickr

The park features gorgeous views, made even more beautiful by this sculpture, which provides plenty of fun for kids and photographers alike.

Giana Lindsey/flickr

Whether it is framed or not, the beauty of New Castle is well worth a visit.

Imaginativstudio/flickr

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