This Hidden New Hampshire Museum Has Live Sea Creatures and a Humpback Whale Skeleton

The woods of coastal New Hampshire are a wonderful place to spend the day, and Odiorne Point State Park in Rye is always a prime spot in my book. I love exploring the walking trails, historic forts, and sandy beaches. But sometimes, all day in the sun can be too much for a red-haired gal like myself, so I always welcome nice indoor attractions where I can cool off and reset.

Fortunately, Odiorne Park, located in the small town of Rye, has a fun museum called Seacoast Science Center that's a total hidden gem. Filled with larger-than-life sea skeletons and tanks filled with live sea creatures, this aquatic museum is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon while learning about local marine life. Here's what to know before you go visit yourself.

Whether you make the science center your primary destination or just a stop on your visit to Odiorne, you are sure to have an amazing experience. It's a tried-and-true destination for my family, and a place we love to frequent every summer on our trip from northern Massachusetts. The Seacoast Science Center is open year-round, but has special hours depending on the season. So make sure you check the museum's website and Facebook page before driving over. There is even a dedicated sensory-friendly hour that takes place on Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The museum features several interesting exhibits highlighting lobster, native fish, turtles, seabirds, and other New England marine life. There is also a fantastic whale exhibit that showcases a real humpback skeleton, which is definitely a hit with my family!

One of the best parts about the Seacoast Science Center is that so much of it is hands-on and interactive. My family’s favorite part is the museum’s touch tank, where guests are able to reach into shallow water to hold critters like urchins, crabs, and sea stars, and then view them under a microscope. Other fun exhibits included a shared sand table and a trash travels game where you could learn where different kinds of waste are deposited.

The museum also features a quiet, cozy area that welcomes visitors to sit and relax, catch some scenic water views, or borrow a book and read up on some of the marine animals that are featured in the center. There are also some really cool spots set up for some photo ops.

Throughout the year, Seacoast Science Center puts on much more than kid-focused activities. You can also join a kayak outing, seal walk, nature program, and even camps to learn more about the local New Hampshire wildlife. For more adventure, I highly suggest looking into the center's eco-adventure travel trips, which take place annually at various times. To book a trip or excursion, visit the center's website. Or purchase a general admission ticket starting at $10 to $15 per adult.

Have you visited the Seacoast Science Center before? If not, consider this the perfect time to plan a trip. Whether you're in New Hampshire for vacation or you're a local and are searching for more indoor New Hampshire activities, this science museum is sure to please. For more local indoor spots, we suggest visiting these additional New Hampshire museums.