Portsmouth NH 2 Day Itinerary
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There is so much to discover in Portsmouth, NH. The New England seaport is an inviting mix of locally owned shops, dedicated breweries, eclectic music venues, and exciting eateries. Our Portsmouth, NH 2 day travel itinerary won’t cover all the city’s attractions, but it will hit the must-see sites for a first time visit.
Portsmouth has served New Hampshire as a working harbor since the 1600s. On any given day, tugboats can be observed escorting ships along the Piscataqua River. Today, many of the best things to do in Portsmouth are in waterfront warehouses that have been reinvented as tap rooms, art galleries, jazz clubs, and vintage shops.
Around town there is an interesting mix of historical homes, parks, and museums. Downtown offers a full calendar of festivals and markets, and evenings are packed with a robust music, theater, and bar scene. All this makes Portsmouth a great weekend getaway. From Market Square to the Music Hall, our Portsmouth NH itinerary will cover it all.
Portsmouth's downtown area is walkable, but like many New England travel locations the area is best toured with a car. Click here for rental car prices and options.
PORTSMOUTH NH HOTELS
In the downtown area, there are many types of Portsmouth NH hotels. There are a number of economical options, but Portsmouth is also will known for its upscale, one-of-a-kind, luxury lodgings. Investigate these:
The Sailmaker's House - independent inn in downtown Portsmouth
The Hotel Portsmouth - a cozy Victorian era mansion
Wentworth By The Sea - a grand old hotel with turrets in New Castle (Portsmouth)
The Inn Downtown - boutique hotel with studio apartments
PORTSMOUTH NH TOURS
Portsmouth is home to many outdoorsmen and artists. If you have an extra day to spare, explore these eclectic Portsmouth tours:
PORTSMOUTH NH ITINERARY
Day 1: Visit Strawbery Banke Museum, Prescott Park, Bow Street Waterfront, and Moran tugboats. Make a brewery visit. Have dinner at the Library Restaurant. Enjoy an evening of music or theater.
Begin your day by Portsmouth’s waterfront at the Strawbery Banke Museum. The 10-acre village depicts 300 years of New England life with craft demonstrations, historic homes, and period gardens.
After touring the campus, stroll across the street to Prescott Park. This amazing waterfront park has grassy lawns, piers along the harbor, and gorgeous gardens to explore. The park is home to the annual Prescott Park Arts Festival, and is the location of many performances and fairs throughout the year.
From Prescott Park, take Mercy Street to Memorial Park and Bridge. Then, follow Bow Street along the river-side neighborhood. Treading along the brick streets and sidewalks, you will pass Colonial, Federal, and Georgian styled houses. Explore the churches and cemeteries tucked on side streets along the way.
After descending the Bow Street hill, you will come upon Ceres Street. This intersection is the heart of the waterfront district. It is filled with bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops to explore. Find the alley that leads to the Piscataqua River wharves, and meander down to the Moran Tugboats.
Have lunch at one of the restaurants in the neighborhood. There are many with decks and patios overlooking the water. Try Lazy Jacks, the Martingale Wharf, or Old Ferry Landing. If you have any steam left window shop the brick alleys or walk to the nearby Portsmouth Brewery for an afternoon tasting.
This evening reserve a table at the Library Restaurant for dinner. At this long-time area favorite, you will dine in a library-like setting in the stately Rockingham House. After dinner, take in a concert or show at the Portsmouth Music Hall, the Seacoast Repertory Theater, or another entertainment venue.
Day 2: Have brunch at the Friendly Toast. Shop and browse the Market Square galleries and stores. Take a harbor cruise to Isle of Shoals or go tide pooling at Odiorne State Park. Do a brewery Pub Crawl.
Start your day with flair by enjoying brunch (with a bar) at the Friendly Toast in downtown (Congress St.). From the restaurant, explore Market Square and the surrounding neighborhood (Market, Congress, and Pleasant Streets). Wander the eclectic shops, galleries, and specialty food stores that make up the area. If the doors are open, step inside the 300-year old North Church.
Later in the day, take a harbor cruise to Isle of Shoals’ Star Island for an afternoon walkabout (Isle of Shoals Steamship Company). The historic island, which sits about 7 miles off the coast, is open to day trippers. Another fun option, would be a drive to the beautiful Odiorne State Park in nearby Rye. There, visitors can explore miles of wooded trails, rocky Atlantic coast, and remnants of World War II Fort Dearborn.
Save the evening to eat and drink at the breweries in Portsmouth, NH. There are six in town, each with their own set of craft ales: Portsmouth Brewery (56 Market Street), Loaded Question Brewing Company (909 Islington St), Earth Eagle Brewings (175 High St.), Great Rhythm Brewing Company (105 Bartlett St.), Cisco Brewers Portsmouth (35 Corporate Drive), Liars Bench Beer Co. (459 Islington St.).
Find your fancy walking shoes and have fun, Laura and Randy
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