Top Things To Do In Portsmouth, New Hampshire

This past spring, we toured some of the states in New England, and I have to admit that Portsmouth was my absolute favorite. In fact, looking back I really wish we would have spent more time here rather than heading further north. Nautical towns are so charming, and I have had the chance to see many others in my 25 years of life, but this town was a nautical dream. It was the perfect mix of hip and fun, and casual and slow. It was just the right size to have enough things to do in Portsmouth without being overwhelming.

Details About Portsmouth

Portsmouth, NH is a charming coastal city with a rich maritime history and vibrant culture. Founded in 1623, Portsmouth is one of the oldest cities in the United States, and its historic downtown area still retains many well-preserved colonial buildings. The city played a significant role in American history, serving as a major shipbuilding center and a crucial port during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Today, Portsmouth is known for its bustling downtown filled with boutique shops, art galleries, and excellent restaurants. 

Overall, Portsmouth, NH offers a perfect blend of historical significance, cultural attractions, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for history buffs, art enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a charming coastal experience.

Things To Do in Portsmouth

You could easily spend a weekend in Portsmouth or even longer if you want to include it as part of a slower vacation. As mentioned, the city of Portsmouth itself is charming and beautiful, and the nearby areas are as well! With rental homes, luxurious hotels, and BnBs, there is accommodation for everyone. So what should you do with your time in Portsmouth? 

We look for a few things in every new city: coffee shops, breweries, bookstores and historic sites. Portsmouth had a great mix of all of it! 

• Strawberry Banke Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s colonial history through its well-preserved buildings and interactive exhibits. In the winter months, you can go ice skating on Puddle Dock Pond within the museums property. 
• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a museum focused on preserving the history of the local armed forces, Naval history, Portsmouth and the Norfolk shipyard.
• Seacoast Science Center is a great place to learn about marine life and ecology through interactive exhibits, like the touch tank, and displays. They also host many fun events throughout the year. 
• Prescott Park is a beautiful, peaceful riverside garden where you are likely to hear live music in the summer months. It’s perfect for a picnic or a few minutes away from the downtown area. If you are in town during the Prescott Park Arts Festival, I highly recommend a visit! 
• Wentworth-Coolidge mansion. Take a mansion tour, go for a swim in the harbor, or walk the Little Harbor Trail when visiting this beautiful historical State Park. 
• Walk the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail. A historical walking tour in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that highlights the significant contributions of African Americans to the city’s history. The trail features important sites and landmarks that illuminate the African American experience in Portsmouth, providing a rich and comprehensive understanding of the community’s heritage
• Go to Four Tree Island. Though it’s not exactly an island, this small area is connected to Pierce Island and provides great views of the Memorial Bridge, river pier, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. 

•  USS Albacore Museum which has a self-guided submarine tour. 
• Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (20 minutes from Portsmouth)
• Take a harbor cruise to see the banks of the Piscataqua River, lighthouses, historic homes, and even submarines. The New Hampshire coast and waterways are not to be missed! 
• Tour the Warner House. A tour of the inside of the house (available in the summer months), furnishing and artwork is available via a guided tour, though the gardens are open to visitors for a free self-guided tour. 
• Market Street and Market Square have a quintessential small-town, charming vibe. Here you will find cute alleyways, shopping, restaurants, the harbor and beautiful views of the heart of downtown Portsmouth. Look out for Ceres Street, Congress Street, and Bow Street for many of the popular spots. 
• Drive to New Castle (about a 10-minute drive) to see the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, beaches, historic buildings and Southern Maine across the waterway. 
• Visit the John Paul Jones House, part of the Portsmouth Historical Society. This colonial house was the home of Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones. It now is home to a collection of historic toys and guns and has a beautiful historic garden. 
• See the Isles of Shoals which is a popular day trip from Portsmouth. 
• Visit the Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden, which was home to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It is a beautifully, well-kept home.  

Coffee Shops, Cafes & Bakeries 

1. la Maison Navarre
2. Popovers on the Square
3. The Works
4. NOA Cafe 
5. Stroll Cafe and Wine Bar
6. The Green Room

Breweries & Restaurants 

• Earth Eagle Brewings
• Old Ferry Landing
• Annabelle Ice Cream
• The Friendly Toast – all-day brunch and bar with mimosa flights and more! This is the original location for the now popular restaurant in parts of New England. 
• The Lounge at Music Hall (previously known as the Music Hall Loft) has been redone in recent years to offer a beautiful, small, intimate lounge offering with live music. 
• The Flatbread Company
• The Puddle Duck Restaurant  
• Surf
• The WIlder
• Liars Bench Beer Company 

• Hotel Portsmouth – a beautiful home with years of History! 
• Port Inn and Suites
• The Sailmaker’s House
• The Ale House Inn 
• Hotel Thaxter
• Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle

Our Weekend in Portsmouth

After hiking in Vermont we made our journey to Portsmouth. We checked into our hotel which was outside of town but had a free shuttle, changed our clothes and were off for an evening of nautical merriment. Around 2pm our first stop was food, as any first stop in a new place should be. We dined at Portsmouth Brewery, sampled their beers and had a great meal.

Afterwards, around 3:30 pm, it was time to walk off some of the food we just had, so we walked around town and explored the waterfront. I love all of the shops that were around town, some of them unique and others were boutique chains, but each of them fit the town well. There was an old record and game store, which Dave of course loved, several chowder cafes, and hole-in-the-wall bars. We walked around Book & Bar (which closed in 2024) and wished we were with a larger group of people so we could have grabbed a few games and had some drinks.

We spent some time wandering the area, around Market Square, window shopping and people watching. We even stumbled upon a mint green house and all of my house dreams were made. After all of our walking, we made our way to our next stop, Earth Eagle Brewing. This brewing company was recommended by several locals, and was a bit intimidating when we walked in. It’s very small and around 6 pm it was totally packed. We found two seats at the bar and quickly made friends with those around us. 

By 7:30 we were ready for something else to eat before we decided what to do with the rest of our night and the morning before we headed to Maine. Chowder was required in New Hampshire, but we found that most places were either full or out of our budget, so we ended up at Popovers on the Square. We could’t have made a better decision for dinner! Popovers is a bookstore and cafe that serves pastries, chowders, soups, and delicious cocktails. The atmosphere was laid back and the food was great.

Before heading back to our hotel, we had to listen to the multiple recommendations we had to get a Jimmy Juice from Old Ferry Landing. I have to admit, I am so glad we ended up here. The restaurant overlooks the water, and we grabbed seats along the railing facing the ferry boats. After a few drinks we said goodbye to the folks enjoying Jimmy Juices all around us, and headed back to the hotel.

The next day we wanted to explore more of Portsmouth but had minimal time so we went straight to the Strawberry Banke Museum. We didn’t purchase tickets to do the entire tour, but it was nice to look around. We then made the short drive over to the Portsmouth Harbor Light. We walked around here for a while, and the waterfront reminded me of some places in Maryland. The lighthouse was beautiful, and the harbor around it made for some beautiful pictures.

Unfortunately our time was running out so this is where our Portsmouth tour ended, but it was well worth the stop and we will absolutely be back again. The people were all incredibly nice and loved offering their recommendations.

Have you visited Portsmouth? New Hampshire is one of our favorite New England States because of this little town. You can’t beat the beautiful views from the waterfront areas, the amazing restaurants, friendly people and the feeling of so much history while you stroll down the streets. We can’t wait to go back!

Have you ever been to New Hampshire?