In the Area

September 16, 2006
Portsmouth, NH

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If you haven't been to coastal New Hampshire before -- or, perhaps, if you weren't even aware that NH had 18 miles of coastline - take some time to explore.

Below are just a few of our favorite sites in and around Portsmouth.
For Outdoor Enthusiasts
There are several great options to explore the area from the waterways.

Take a half day, rent a kayak (map)and paddle out into the Piscataqua River or Little Harbour.
Or take a cruise (map) through Portsmouth Harbor or out to the Isles of Shoals.
You can also jump on a whale watching cruise at Rye Harbor (map).

To explore the coast from the land:

Head to Odiorne Point State Park (map) and hike along the rocky coastline or explore the tidepools.
Walk along the beach at Wallis Sands State Park (map ) or visitother beaches to the south on Rte 1A.
If you only have an hour, enjoy the flowers and sea breeze at Prescott Park (map) along the Piscataqua.

For History Buffs
Settled in 1623, Portsmouth lays claim to being the nation's third oldest city, and there are plenty of historical landmarks to visit in the area:

A walk along the Portsmouth Harbor Trail (map) is a great way to hit many of the historic highlights in town.
Start with the Strawbery Banke Museum (map), with restored homes from four centuries in this waterfront neighborhood.
The Harbor Trail also passes by m any of the other historic homes in Portsmouth, including the John Paul Jones House (map).
Some of the coastal fortifications, such as Fort Constitution (map) and Fort Stark (map) in New Castle may also be of interest.

For Shoppers
Portsmouth boasts plenty of boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and people-watching right downtown.

Try the area around Market Square (map) for the best local shopping, with wares from local artisans.

Those who are looking for a bargain should head across the Piscataqua River to the Kittery Outlets (map) in Maine.

For the Hungry
There are many restaurants in downtown Portsmouth and beyond.

To dine on the Piscataqua, head down to the row of restaurants on Bow Street (map) -- the Old Ferry Landing, the Stock Pot, and Poco Diablos -- where you can gaze out at the tug boats and watch the third fastest-flowing navigable current in the world fly past.

Seafood, of course, is on the menu at many of the local haunts .

For lobsters, no frills, on the water, check out Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier (map) in Kittery Point, ME . But don't forget to pick up your favorite beverage along the way because this is a BYOB establishment.

For the Thirsty
There are plenty of great bars in downtown Portsmouth with a nice selection of local microbrews. Many have good, affordable menus as well. Some pubs to crawl include:

For great locally brewed beers, try the Portsmouth Brewery (map).

For live music and ambience, visit the deck at the Gaslight Company (map).

For a drink on the water, try the Ferry Landing (map) with its outdoor deck that looks out on Portsmouth's tugboats.

For Guinness, Jack Quigley's Irish Pub (map) is your place.

And there are many other options.

For Kids
There are plenty of things for the kids to do as well. To name just a few:

Kids may enjoy the Portsmouth Children's museum (map), just a short walk from Prescott Park (map)
All types of creatures -- from starfish to crabs -- can be found in the tidepools of Odiorne's Point State Park (map). While inside the park, stop in at the Seacoast Science Center for educational programs and touch tanks.
And, of course, kids of all ages will enjoy exploring the beach or getting out on a harbor cruise.

If you have any questions contact us at Kinnerkay@gmail.com