When it came time to plan how I’d be spending my Fourth of July Weekend, there were only a couple of rules I had made for myself: No Cape Cod (because no matter what time you get on the road, you will be sitting in traffic for hours only to then wait in lines and crowds at any beaches, attractions, or dining establishments) and nothing that required paying an obscene amount of money to park or for entry – since some businesses take advantage of travelers and tourists who are desperate to get to where they’re going and escape their cars after being trapped in them for so long.
With a few destinations in mind to visit over the last few days, the actual July 4th holiday was spent driving the beautiful coastal back roads to my beloved Rye, New Hampshire – where my mom and I (and with Oliver having the time of his life in the backseat!) decided to celebrate Independence Day with some no-nonsense seafood that comes from what might just be one of the best lobster shacks in New England!
Rye Harbor Lobster Pound, located right on the water off of Ocean Boulevard in Rye (and right next to Granite State Whale Watch – which I’m hoping to write about soon!) has been family owned and operated since 1996. Their menu, which includes made-to-order hot & cold lobster rolls, steamers, chowders and salads, is also fairly priced considering how much meat you get with each bite.
While I was tempted to have some of their famous “Fluffy Chowder” this time around (lobster bisque whipped with butter sherry sauce), it was pretty hot out, and I just wanted to bite into some cold lobster while we cooled off in the shade – and I was not disappointed! They stuffed the toasted bun with as much lobster meat as possible – and it was steamed to perfection. It also came with a little bag of potato chips, which Oliver always appreciates!
The lines can get a little long for this place, but the staff work fast and efficiently, so be prepared to wait just a teeny bit to place your order depending on the time/day you visit. It’s worth it – I promise!
After dinner, we grabbed some ice cream for the road and managed to see some of the fireworks displays during our drive, which meant Oliver could enjoy the show without having to deal with too much of the noise. All in all – it was a very successful July 4th.
A little later on this week, I’m going to be sharing more recaps/photos from this past weekend – as well as a Summer snacking recipe that I’ve been whipping up weekly since first hearing about it!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 