Portsmouth, NH Travel Guide: Top Things to Do, Eat & See

Growing up in the Boston area Portsmouth was always my favorite place to visit on a day trip. The quaint city is home to adorable cafes, unique boutiques, amazing restaurants, and is close to stunning beaches. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or want to do a day trip from Boston, you will love Portsmouth! Read on to discover your Portsmouth, NH Travel Guide.

About Portsmouth

Safety - Portsmouth is a super safe city. The city of Portsmouth is super small and all of the areas are quite nice. You really do not have anything to worry about in terms of safety in Portsmouth. Just take normal precautions (beware of pickpockets, walking at night, ect.)

History - Originally a fishing settlement, Portsmouth was established in 1623. Portsmouth was first called Piscataqua and then Strawbery Banke because of the abundant Strawberries growing in the settlement. Portsmouth was once one of the busiest ports in the new world and ship building cities.

Where To Stay in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Luxury Portsmouth Hotels

🛎️Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel - The Sheraton is the only luxury hotel in downtown Portsmouth. At the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel you will find views of the water, an indoor swimming pool, gym, fitness center, bar, restaurant, and more.

🛎️The Hotel Portsmouth - The Hotel Portsmouth is a boutique hotel that offers all that you need for a spectacular trip. The thing I love most about The Hotel Portsmouth is the design, all of the rooms are different and have so much character.

Middle Range Portsmouth Hotels

🛎️The Sailmaker's House - The Sailmaker's House is boutique hotel located in downtown Portsmouth. It is really cool because the hotel is just a massive house with tons of rooms. You will feel like you are staying in a mansion at The Sailmaker's House.

🛎️The Inn - The Inn is a quaint and well manicured hotel located in downtown Portsmouth. All of the rooms at The Inn are spacious, comfortable, and stylish!

🛎️Courtyard by Marriott Portsmouth - The Marriott always does a great job providing comfortable stays for guests. The Courtyard Marriott in Portsmouth offers an indoor pool, a restaurant, a gym, a bar, and more.

Budget Portsmouth Hotels

🛎️Port Inn - The adorable Port Inn located in downtown Portsmouth will have everything you need for the perfect trip. At the affordable Port Inn you will find an outdoor swimming pool, spacious rooms, breakfast served daily, and more.

🛎️The Water Street Inn - Located just across the river in Kittery you will find the cute and cozy Water Street Inn. At the Water Street Inn you will be met with single rooms, rooms for couples, or family rooms. The Water Street Inn also offers apartment style rooms for longer stays in the Portsmouth area. This adorable bed and breakfast is the perfect budget option in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Rentals

🛎️Badgers Island Condo - The Badgers Island Condo is the perfect place to stay in Portsmouth is you are travelling with a family. At The Badger Island Condo you will find two spacious bedrooms, free on site parking, a fully equipped kitchen, a washer and dryer, a living room, and more.

What To Do In Portsmouth

Explore Market Street

This guide to Portsmouth would not be complete without Market Street. Market Street is Portsmouth main shopping street. Full of cute shops, cafes, restaurants, and more Market Street is the place to go in Portsmouth! Some of my favorite shops on Market Street are...

Ireland on the Square - Ireland on the Square is super cool because it sells all sorts of Irish goods imported from Ireland. (candy, clothes, jewelry, and more)

Wiglesworth's Mercantile - Wiglesworth's Mercantile sells homemade New England style gifts and goods, be sure to check it out while on Market Street.

Inside Out Boutique - The Inside Out Boutique is a super cool crunchy granola type shop. Selling mens clothing, womens clothing, kids clothing, things for you pets, and more you will love Inside Out!

Market Street also has tons of restaurants to choose from, scroll to The Best Places To Dine In Portsmouth for our top picks for the best restaurants and cafes!

Visit Strawbery Banke Museum

The Strawbery Banke Museum is an outdoor museum that celebrates the history of Portsmouth. Nestled just south of Market Street and downtown Portsmouth, Strawbery Banke is the oldest neighborhood in New Hampshire. At The Strawbery Banke Museum you will have the opportunity to see some of New England's oldest colonial buildings!

For more information on The Strawbery Banke Museum see their website here.

USS Albacore Museum

Located just north of the downtown area, the USS Albacore Museum is research submarine that was made by the US Navy between 1952 and 1953. Today the submarine is open to the public and visitors can go inside the submarine.

For more information on the USS Albacore Museum see their website here.

Take a Stroll In Prescott Park

Located in downtown, Prescott Park is a lovely place to walk around and enjoy the flowers, harbor, and sunshine. You will find the Prescott Park is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic in the summer months or take a stroll with a hot chocolate in the winter!

See a Show at The Music Hall

The Music Hall in Portsmouth isn't any old theater, it is one of the oldest in the United States. The victorian theater opened in 1878 and claims to be the oldest theatre in New Hampshire. You can see all sorts of shows at The Music Hall.

For more information and tickets visit their website here.

Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden

The Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden is a stunning estate located in downtown Portsmouth by the harbor. Built in 1763, the Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden is a must visit in Portsmouth not only because the house and garden is stunning but because of who the house belonged to. Belonging to a founding father and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, The Moffatt-Ladd House was the residence of William Whipple.

Visit Maine

Portsmouth is right on the New Hampshire - Maine border so it is super easy to explore Maine From Portsmouth.

The town right next to Portsmouth is Kittery, Maine. Kittery is full of outlet shops that are great if you are looking to do some discount shopping. The Kittery Outlets has a Lululemon, North Face, Adidas, American Eagle, Yankee Candle, Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic, J Crew, Levis, Nike, and many more. You can find some amazing prices at Kittery. If you want to explore more of the nature side of Kittery stop by Badger's Island.

Another lovely destination near Portsmouth is York. York is home to picturesque beaches, amazing seafood restaurants, and more. While in York be sure to visit York Beach, York Beach Village, Nubble Lighthouse, visit Mount Agamenticus, Harbor Beach, and try saltwater taffy at Goldenrod.

Where To Dine In Portsmouth

Coffee & Breakfast

☕Popovers on the Square - I visit Popovers on the Square each time I visit Portsmouth. Enjoy fresh popovers with maple butter, coffee, soups, sandwiches, salads, and more at Popovers on the Square!

☕Kaffee Vonsolln - Located in downtown Portsmouth you will find Kaffee Vonsolln, a german cafe. Kaffee Vonsolln serves amazing coffee, german pastries, and more! It is the perfect place to go for a morning coffee or afternoon delight.

☕Caffe Kilim - Also in the downtown area is Caffe Kilim, a turkish coffee joint. Caffe Kilim serves traditional turkish pastries and coffee!

☕Elephantine Bakery - Elephantine Bakery is perfect for brunch or a quick coffee and pastry. The aesthetically pleasing cafe serves up some of the best breakfast in town.

Lunch & Dinner

🍴Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe - There is nothing better than fresh seafood cooked perfectly, and Jumpin' Jay's serves just that. Located in the downtown area Jumpin' Jay's is a lovely spot for dinner if you are looking to try some traditional New England food.

🍴Black Trumpet - The highly rated Black Trumpet Bistro is a great place to enjoy a luxurious dinner. Be sure to make a reservation, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

🍴Bridge Street Bistrot & Wine Bar - The Bridge Street Bistrot & Wine Bar is a lovely french restaurant located in downtown Portsmouth. You can find some of the best French cuisine in this adorable restaurant.

When To Visit Portsmouth

☀️Summer - Summer time in New England is amazing! During the summer months you will have warm and sunny weather (70s -80s). You can also visit the nearby beaches in Maine and New Hampshire!

🍁Fall - Fall time in New England is magical. The fall foliage, warm apple cider, pumpkin carvings, and halloween spirit is what makes New England feel like home. If you can experience fall in New England.

❄️Winter - Winter is cold in New England. If you go to Portsmouth during winter go during the holidays, there is a huge christmas tree in the square, lights, shops selling everything christmas, and more.

💐Spring - Spring is my least favorite time in New England, because we don't really have one. From March to mid May it is still pretty cold. and grey here.

How To Get To & Around Portsmouth

If you are flying from a different state of country, fly into Boston Logan International Airport. You can find flights from all over the world to Boston.

Portsmouth does have a small airport (PSM). You can try to search for flights directly to Portsmouth, but that might expensive. The only airline that I could find that flies directly to Portsmouth is Allegiant and most of the flights fly out of Florida.

From Boston the easiest way to get to Portsmouth is by renting a car and driving. Portsmouth is about an hour north of Boston.

Portsmouth is super walkable, there isn't any public transport, so renting a car is necessary.

☘️Read Next: A Locals Guide To Boston, Massachusetts

Best Tours In Portsmouth

🚗Best of Portsmouth & New Castle Islands & Harbor - This two hour bike tour of Portsmouth New Hampshire and the surrounding area is perfect for anyone who is looking to explore Portsmouths hidden gems. On this tour a local guide will take you to Wentworth By The Sea, Four Tree Island, Peirce Island, Prescott Sisters, Piscataqua River, Great Island Common, and Fort Stark State Historic Site.

🚗Portsmouth Scavenger Hunt: Pretty Portsmouth - This affordable Portsmouth Scavenger Hunt will take you to all of the must see places in Portsmouth and places that would otherwise be ignored.

🚗Tea Blending - This Tea Blending experience is super unique a a super cool experience. Learn from a clinical herbalist about how tea is made and then make your own blend in this tea blending experience.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire FAQs

What is Portsmouth, NH known for? Portsmouth is known for its stunning coastal views, adorable bed and breakfasts, tax free shopping, lovely downtown area, interesting history, colonial architecture, unique boutiques and amazing restaurants.

When was Portsmouth, NH founded? Portsmouth was founded in May of 1653 by William Crawford, an american politician and judge.

Does Portsmouth, NH have Uber? Yes. Uber is available all over the United States, including Portsmouth and the surrounding area!

Does Portsmouth, NH have an airport? Yes, the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. The Portsmouth International Airport at Pease is tiny and only offers a few commercial flights with Allegiant Airlines to the Orlando area and the Tampa Bay area. If you are coming to Portsmouth you will most likely be flying into Boston Logan Airport and then driving.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire Travel Guide Wrap Up

Portsmouth is such a fun overnight day trip from Boston, especially if you want to see more of New England. I hope that this complete guide to Portsmouth, New Hampshire helps you plan the perfect trip. If you liked this post I think that you will love my Locals Guide to Boston or my Guide to Nantucket Island.

Happy Travels,

Daisy