Portsmouth, NH Road Trips

Settled in 1623, as Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth is a historic seaport that boasts an intriguing mix of the old and the new. As one of the oldest cities in the US, it was founded just three years after the settlement at Plymouth MA, and the city has a walkable scale that is more often seen in European villages than in US cities. The city sits 2 miles inland from the sea, on the safe deep harbor waters of the Piscataqua river. Its history as a seaport is an integral part of understanding Portsmouth today and yesterday. The city once was home to the founder of the US Navy, John Paul Jones, whose historic house still stands and is open to the public. Kittery, Maine, across the river, continues to be home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where the HMS Falkland was built in 1690 for the British Navy and continues today, more than three centuries later, as a shipyard that repairs and upgrades Los Angeles class nuclear submarines. Today, the city's economy is a mix of the traditional, with tugboats pulling in large ships to haul scrap material, fishermen still plying the waters from Pierce Island, and new economy jobs in software and biotech at Lonza Biologics which is now one of the area's largest employers. It is also the center of a growing metropolitan region, often called, "The Seacoast," that is home to 125,000 and includes the coastal towns of Rye, Hampton, and New Castle in New Hampshire and Kittery and York in Maine, as well as the inland cities of Rochester and Dover, NH.

1 The Strawbery Banke Museum, 420 Court St (I-95, exit 7), ☏ +1 603 433-1100. May-late Oct 10AM-5PM, late Oct-Dec on some weekends 10AM-2PM and for candlelight strolls in Dec. Strawbery Banke is an historic neighborhood of 42 buildings that have been preserved intact as they were in the 17th and 18th century. This unique outdoor museum affords a rare opportunity to just walk back in time. It features houses that have been restored to a particular point in time, buildings that are used for special exhibits, gardens, and artisans practicing traditional trades. Adults $15, ages 5-17 $10, under 5 free, Family Rate (2 adults & youths 5-17) $40. Albacore Museum and Park, 600 Market St, ☏ +1 603 436-3680. Unusual opportunity to tour a U.S. Navy submarine, that was in service from 1953 to 1972, and now is dry docked in a small park just outside of downtown Portsmouth. The USS Albacore was built in Portsmouth, had a crew of 55, and served as the test bed for today's modern submarine fleet. Open until 5PM in the summer and until 4PM in the winter. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children with a $10 deal for a family of four. 2 John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle St (at State St), ☏ +1 603 436-8420. Memorial Day-Columbus Day: 11AM-5PM daily. His historic house still stands and is open to the public. $6 adults, $5 seniors/veterans/AAA members, free for children 12 and under. (updated May 2016) Red Hook Ale Brewery, 35 Corporate Dr, ☏ +1 603 430-8600. The east coast brewery for Redhook located in the former Pease Air Force Base which is now an industrial park.

1 The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St, ☏ +1 603 436-2400. The seacoast's premier performing arts center puts on daily events in its 900-seat theatre built in 1878 located downtown. They have a weekly independent film series and have a diverse roster of opera, music performances in all genres (Bright Eyes to Kronos Quartet), comedy, theatre, and dance. There is always something going on that is worthwhile to check out. (updated Oct 2022) The Seacoast Repertory Theatre, 125 Bow St, ☏ +1 603 433-4472. This theatre puts on many shows per season that are perfect for individuals in any age bracket (from 9 year olds to 99 year olds). It is small in size and does not hold as many people compared to the Music Hall. They put on a wide array of shows ranging from musicals, dramas to comedies. 2 Seacoast Science Center, 570 Ocean Blvd, Rye, ☏ +1 603 436-8043, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2025) Great Bay Discovery Center, Depot Rd (Exit 3B off I-95, 5 mi. on rte. 33), ☏ +1 603 778-0015. May-Sep: W-Su 10AM-4PM; Oct: Sa-Su 10AM-4PM. Grounds open dawn-dusk year-round. (updated May 2016) Portsmouth Community Radio, WSCA-LP 106.1FM, 909 Islington St, ☏ +1 603-430-WSCA (9722). 3 Water Country Water Park (Just south of town on Route 1), ☏ +1 603 427-1111. The water park has calm attractions where you wander around a lazy path in a tube, dramatic water slides, and wave tidal pools. Summer fun. (updated Oct 2022) Peirce Island Pool, 99 Peirce Island Rd, ☏ +1 603 427-0717. Open from mid June to late August.

The Friendly Toast, 121 Congress St, ☏ +1 603 430-2154. Great for breakfast at any time of the day. The decor at this Portsmouth institution is a funky selection of 70s kitsch eBay finds. Large portions, funky environment, and great simple food combinations. Recommended for all age groups but teenagers are espically energized by the attitude and vibe. It is open until 10PM during the week and on the weekend it is open continuously from Friday at 7AM until Sunday at 9PM. This schedule makes it your best bet for a late night meal on a Friday or Saturday night, but it is best to get there just before 1AM if you want to beat the rush. (updated Feb 2018) Portsmouth Gas Light - Downtown Brick Oven Pizza, 64 Market St, ☏ +1 603 430-9122. The Downtown Brick Oven Pizza is in the Portsmouth Gas Light complex that consists of a street level bar, upstairs nightclub, outdoor deck, and a downstairs pub and brick oven pizza restaurant. It is the downstairs pizza that is recommended, although the street level bar is pleasant the food served is unremarkable. Go in to the Gaslight at the street level and quickly turn right and take the stairs down one floor and you will have found a cozy brick walled space with a fish tank where you can order almost anything you want on a pizza and watch it be assembled and cooked in a brick oven. Open most nights until 10PM and on weekends until 11PM. Popovers On The Square, 8 Congress St, ☏ +1 603 431-1119.

Portsmouth Brewery, 56 Market St, ☏ +1 603 431-1115. A brewpub right in the center of downtown, that serves better than average typical pub food. Tod Mott is the head brewer and is considered one of the best brewers in New England so check out some of their 8-10 beers that are always on tap. There is a large upstairs dining area as well as a sizable bar area. Don't overlook the built in coaches up front with views of the street. There is also a downstairs space, called the Jimmy LaPanza lounge, that has a pool table and attracts a younger crowd. Green Monkey Martini Bar, 86 Pleasant St, ☏ +1 603 427-1010. Monday thru Saturday doors open at 5PM (closed on Sundays). Voted one of the best "fine dining experiences" on the seacoast, this restaurant has a wide array of delicacies. The food ranges from Italian, to Oriental cuisine to fresh seafood straight from the coast of Maine. The restaurant is rather small in size, so booking a reservation ahead of time is highly advised. They are known for their exceptional martinis, so taking a look at their 3 page selection would be a good idea. The cozy, intimate environment is the perfect place to go on a date with that special someone in your life. Rudis on Market Square, 3 Market Square. A wine bar located in the heart of Market Square, Rudi's offers a good selection of wines and cocktails. The main restaurant, located behind it, offers a full service menu which can be moderate to expensive in price. The wine bar is newer than the main restaurant, and attracts both locals and tourists.

A few Hotels and several B&Bs are right downtown - Hilton Garden Inn, 100 High St, ☏ +1 603 431-1499, fax: +1 603 431-1477. Part of a focus of Hilton on downtown hotels with modern and sleek decor. It has a small pool and a comfortable lounge. $100-150. Sheraton Harborside Hotel, 250 Market St (take exit 7 on Route 95 and drive towards downtown and you can not miss the Sheraton), ☏ +1 603 431-2300, fax: +1 603 433-5649. A large hotel overlooking the river with onsite parking, a pool, lounge, fitness center and onsite restaurant. A little pricey for what you get but is location is hard to beat. $150-250. The best value hotels are slightly farther out, a mile or two, and require a short ride to get downtown - Courtyard Portsmouth, 1000 Market St, ☏ +1 603 436-2121, fax: +1 603 430-7666. The Courtyard is right off of Route 95 and is nicely set in a grove of trees. Like many Courtyards, it has a nice indoor pool (better than the Sheraton or Hilton downtown) and hot tub and decent rooms. It is well managed and friendly and a good choice in the area. $100 - 150. Holiday Inn, 300 Woodbury Ave, ☏ +1 603 431-8000. Located at the route 1 traffic circle this is very typical of the Holiday Inn chain. Has a decent pool and an onsite restaurant that tends to be open late. $75 - 150. Residence Inn Portsmouth, 1 International Dr, ☏ +1 603 436-8880, fax: +1 603 422-0888. Located in the Pease Industrial park this larger room hotel geared to extended business stays are often also good for families. $100 - 150.

1 Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM IATA). The local airport has flights from Florida on Allegiant Air, ☏ +1-800-432-3810. Portsmouth is primarily accessible by flights into Manchester and Portland, both an hour by car, or Boston, roughly an hour car ride in good traffic, or an hour and a half by train. Frequent buses on C&J travel between Boston's Logan Airport and South Station to the Portsmouth Transportation Center. Manchester Airport (MHT IATA) Portland International Jetport (PWM IATA) Logan International Airport (BOS IATA) Buses to Portsmouth are also available from Boston's South Station train depot, which is serviced by Amtrak and the MBTA. Amtrak Downeaster, ☏ +1 207 780-1000, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245, fax: +1 207 780-1001, [email protected]. M-F 5:45AM-1:45AM, Sa-Su 6AM-1:45AM. Services nearby Dover with service from Boston, MA to Portland, ME. The COAST bus service operates between the Dover Transportation Center and downtown Portsmouth Monday through Saturday. $6-25. Portsmouth is primarily accessible via Interstate 95 from the north and south. Coming from anywhere outside of New England requires travel on the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate 90, a toll interstate, east towards Worcester and Boston. Exit the pike onto I-290N through Worcester and onto I-495N, which connects to I-95. I-95 is a toll road through New Hampshire, charging $2.00 both ways at Hampton, NH. Interstate 95 runs through Portsmouth and into Kittery, Maine.

Cars work best for navigating the New Hampshire seacoast region. Highways are well maintained and convenient, though the summer months see a major influx of tourists and congestion on I-95 occurs frequently. The cities in the region experience moderate traffic, except for the beaches during prime times such as early afternoon, which get very crowded. Portsmouth and surrounding areas are serviced by a free COAST trolley during the summer and fall. The trolleys are convenient and make many stops in the area. Bicycles are also a very effective means to see the area, see the Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes. The city of Portsmouth is small and the major historical points of interest are easily visited on foot. Most downtown establishment will have one of the free local maps available that make touring the downtown on foot easy. You could also walk along the Portsmouth Harbor Trail.