Ben & Candice’s guidebook
Breweries
Great Rhythm Brewing Company
105 Bartlett StLocal brewery
Liar's Bench Beer Company
459 Islington StLoaded Question Brewing
909 Islington StEarth Eagle Brewings
175 High StTributary Brewing
10 Shapleigh RdStoneface Brewing Co.
436 Shattuck WayCisco Brewers Portsmouth & Cataqua Public House
35 Corporate DrPortsmouth Brewery
56 Market StSmuttynose Brewing Company
105 Towle Farm RdFood scene
Ore Nell's Barbecue
2 Badgers Island WSTREET eat/drink 360
801 Islington StLuigi's West End Pizzeria
801 Islington StBarrio
319 Vaughan St
Jumpin' Jay's Fish Cafe
150 Congress StreetMartingale Wharf
99 Bow StSightseeing
Strawbery Banke Museum is a vibrant nearly 10-acre campus dedicated to bringing 300+ years of American history to life through dozens of historic buildings on their original foundations, heirloom gardens, hands-on traditional crafts, and engaging costumed roleplayers sharing the experiences of those who lived and worked in the waterfront neighborhood of Puddle Dock.
111 locals recommend
Strawbery Banke Museum
14 Hancock StStrawbery Banke Museum is a vibrant nearly 10-acre campus dedicated to bringing 300+ years of American history to life through dozens of historic buildings on their original foundations, heirloom gardens, hands-on traditional crafts, and engaging costumed roleplayers sharing the experiences of those who lived and worked in the waterfront neighborhood of Puddle Dock.
Prescott Park was created and has been maintained by the terms of the last will and testament of Josie F. Prescott, a life long resident of the City of Portsmouth. It was her wish that a public park, free and accessible to all, be established along the Portsmouth waterfront replacing what had become a run down industrial area of Portsmouth. The gardens of Prescott Park serve the purpose of being both beautiful and educational. City gardeners identify the plants and flowers so visitors who might want to choose something similar for their own gardens know what they are.
67 locals recommend
Prescott Park
105 Marcy StPrescott Park was created and has been maintained by the terms of the last will and testament of Josie F. Prescott, a life long resident of the City of Portsmouth. It was her wish that a public park, free and accessible to all, be established along the Portsmouth waterfront replacing what had become a run down industrial area of Portsmouth. The gardens of Prescott Park serve the purpose of being both beautiful and educational. City gardeners identify the plants and flowers so visitors who might want to choose something similar for their own gardens know what they are.
Enjoy narrated Isles of Shoals and Portsmouth Harbor Tour with the added bonus of a self guided walking tour on Star Island! You'll hear the fascinating history and lore of Portsmouth Harbor as you navigate 10 miles of river and ocean out to Star Island, one of the first footholds for settlement in the new world. In the 1800's Resort hotels were built on Star and Appledore Islands and the Shoals became one of the most popular vacation spots on the New England Coast. You'll see the Oceanic hotel, which rivaled the grandest hotels of the time and is still in operation today. You may walk through the replica of Gosport Village, a fishing outpost dating back to the early 1600s which includes the picturesque Stone Chapel and several cottages. You'll also see the tallest gravestone in the state of New Hampshire, the John Smith Monument, and the Caswell Cemetary.
This cruise allows approximately 1 hour on Star Island.
23 locals recommend
Isles of Shoals Steamship Company
315 Market StEnjoy narrated Isles of Shoals and Portsmouth Harbor Tour with the added bonus of a self guided walking tour on Star Island! You'll hear the fascinating history and lore of Portsmouth Harbor as you navigate 10 miles of river and ocean out to Star Island, one of the first footholds for settlement in the new world. In the 1800's Resort hotels were built on Star and Appledore Islands and the Shoals became one of the most popular vacation spots on the New England Coast. You'll see the Oceanic hotel, which rivaled the grandest hotels of the time and is still in operation today. You may walk through the replica of Gosport Village, a fishing outpost dating back to the early 1600s which includes the picturesque Stone Chapel and several cottages. You'll also see the tallest gravestone in the state of New Hampshire, the John Smith Monument, and the Caswell Cemetary.
This cruise allows approximately 1 hour on Star Island.
Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones lived in Portsmouth twice, the first time in 1777 while his warship “The Ranger” was being built on Badger’s Island (midway between Portsmouth and Kittery in the Piscataqua River), and the second in 1781-82 while “The America” was under construction.
The home where Jones reportedly rented a room today is a museum focused on Jones’ life and the Revolutionary War era. Built in 1758, it’s a striking Georgian-style house with a gambrel roof maintained by the Portsmouth Historical Society.
Open to the public for self-guided tours. Private tours can be arranged with advanced notice.
John Paul Jones House
43 Middle StreetRevolutionary War hero John Paul Jones lived in Portsmouth twice, the first time in 1777 while his warship “The Ranger” was being built on Badger’s Island (midway between Portsmouth and Kittery in the Piscataqua River), and the second in 1781-82 while “The America” was under construction.
The home where Jones reportedly rented a room today is a museum focused on Jones’ life and the Revolutionary War era. Built in 1758, it’s a striking Georgian-style house with a gambrel roof maintained by the Portsmouth Historical Society.
Open to the public for self-guided tours. Private tours can be arranged with advanced notice.
HOPING TO OPEN FOR TOURS JUNE 1
The purpose of the Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden is to interpret American, New Hampshire, and Portsmouth history through the lives and possessions of the inhabitants of the house, both free and enslaved.
The Society collects and preserves objects and manuscripts appropriate to this history. The Moffatt-Ladd House is a National Historic Landmark Building and a member of the Great American Treasures program of NSCDA.
7 locals recommend
Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden
154 Market StHOPING TO OPEN FOR TOURS JUNE 1
The purpose of the Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden is to interpret American, New Hampshire, and Portsmouth history through the lives and possessions of the inhabitants of the house, both free and enslaved.
The Society collects and preserves objects and manuscripts appropriate to this history. The Moffatt-Ladd House is a National Historic Landmark Building and a member of the Great American Treasures program of NSCDA.
The USS Albacore is a research submarine, designed by the U.S. Navy to test experimental features used in modern submarines. The Navy tested top-secret features that led to the high-speed silent operation used on modern U.S. submarines. Today, Albacore has been preserved and is opened to the public
Every visitor can go inside and explore this remarkable submarine. You will be able to look through the periscope, explore the control room, engineering spaces, and bunkrooms, and hear crew members tell of things that happened when they were at sea.
Tours through Albacore are self-guided. As you walk through the ship, a series of audio stations highlight Albacore's unique features. Recordings by former crew members tell about daily life and some hair-raising incidents aboard the sub.
37 locals recommend
USS Albacore Museum
569 Market StThe USS Albacore is a research submarine, designed by the U.S. Navy to test experimental features used in modern submarines. The Navy tested top-secret features that led to the high-speed silent operation used on modern U.S. submarines. Today, Albacore has been preserved and is opened to the public
Every visitor can go inside and explore this remarkable submarine. You will be able to look through the periscope, explore the control room, engineering spaces, and bunkrooms, and hear crew members tell of things that happened when they were at sea.
Tours through Albacore are self-guided. As you walk through the ship, a series of audio stations highlight Albacore's unique features. Recordings by former crew members tell about daily life and some hair-raising incidents aboard the sub.
In 1878, The Music Hall opened its doors as a Vaudeville theater, bringing a fresh cultural vibrancy to the city of Portsmouth. Fast forward 140 years and The Music Hall—now with a second theater—has been pivotal in a revitalization of downtown into one of the most robust arts destinations in New England.
79 locals recommend
The Music Hall
28 Chestnut StIn 1878, The Music Hall opened its doors as a Vaudeville theater, bringing a fresh cultural vibrancy to the city of Portsmouth. Fast forward 140 years and The Music Hall—now with a second theater—has been pivotal in a revitalization of downtown into one of the most robust arts destinations in New England.
Enjoy a sail aboard a traditional reproduction of the flat-bottom gundalow barges that were once prevalent along local waterways. They offer a variety of day and evening trips on the Piscataqua 7-days a week, with ticket prices ranging from $18–$42 depending on sail time and type.
16 locals recommend
Gundalow Company
60 Marcy StEnjoy a sail aboard a traditional reproduction of the flat-bottom gundalow barges that were once prevalent along local waterways. They offer a variety of day and evening trips on the Piscataqua 7-days a week, with ticket prices ranging from $18–$42 depending on sail time and type.
Coffee Bars & Breakfast
White Heron Tea & Coffee
601 Islington StCaffe Kilim
163 Islington StCup of Joe
31 Market StElephantine Bakery
10 Commercial AlleyBeaches
Great Island Common
301 Wentworth RdHampton Beach
Ocean BoulevardWallis Sands State Beach
1050 Ocean BlvdJenness State Beach
2280 Ocean BoulevardOutdoor Activities
Portsmouth Green
2454 Lafayette RdPortsmouth Kayak Adventures
185 Wentworth RoadWhite Mountain National Forest
71 White Mountain DriveSeacoast Science Center
570 Ocean BlvdPortsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
25 Wentworth RdNubble Lighthouse
Sohier Park RoadNeighborhoods
Market Square
Center of Downtown Portsmouth