A Day In Portsmouth New Hampshire

Hands down, Portsmouth NH is the spot for summer. As New Hampshire 's second oldest city (settled 1623), Portsmouth NH is a very charming and desirable city in New England. Originally a major harbor and center for fishing and shipbuilding, the charm and appeal of its history still exists in this quaint community. Lots of beautiful parks, brick walkways, historically preserved buildings, and scenic waterfront views, Portsmouth New Hampshire is truly a remarkable place to be.

If you like to eat (or drink for that matter), Portsmouth is the place. It's hard to go wrong. Fresh seafood restaurants, Mediterranean, Italian, Thai, French, Japanese... the downtown area is packed with a wide array of culinary offerings and great establishments, all within a half-mile radius. Just park the car, walk, and pick a restaurant.

There are too many great restaurants for us to list here -- but take a look at all the outstanding eateries with the interactive map put together by the people from portsmouthnh.com: >>Portsmouth Restaurants Interactive Map

The bar scene in Portsmouth is always lively and there's just about something for everyone. It's not uncommon to find a mix of locals, college kids, and retired elderly couples all in the same bar -- normally this doesn't always work but there seems to be a good coexistence and a 'leave-your-attitude-at-home' type of atmosphere in most places. Although, there are a lot of great bars to choose from, here are a couple favorites worth checking out:

Press Room - The Press Room is the spot to go if you enjoy live music. Somehow there is an impressive schedule of bands and musicians every night of the week. Yes, every night of the week.


Red Door - Great loungey bar, not always a lot of room but a lot of atmosphere. Oh, and the best mixed cocktails and martinis you can find.


Gas Light - Great summer time bar that includes a huge outdoor area with live music most nights. There is also an upstairs area which is Portsmouth's only effort of a 'nightclub-like' establishment. Watch out, there's even a dresscode -- no, that's not a joke.


Spring Hill Tavern - Another great local bar (downstairs of the Dolphin Striker) with live music acts Tuesday through Sunday evenings. Get there early to grab a table because it can get crowded.

The 'Decks' - More of a low-key (umm, usually) string of outdoor bar/restaurants on the waterfront. No music, but great place to enjoy a sumer night outside with drink in hand.


Besides the fantastic restaurants and bars, Portsmouth also offers a variety of things to do that appeal to people of all ages. From the Children's Museum, to the Repertory Theater, to the Music Hall and Stawbery Banke, there are many family-oriented attractions, fairs and great events planned during the summer. Make sure to check out some of the free outdoor concerts and local live music acts, as well as the theater productions in Prescott Park.

If you're looking for shopping, Portsmouth will keep you busy. Downtown offers lots of great boutiques and shops -- jewelry, clothing, wine, and various craft shops. There also some extraordinary art galleries in town.

If shopping is not your thing, then enjoy a coffee or dessert at one of several cafes in town (Breaking New Grounds, Popovers, Aroma, Cafe Kilim, Starbucks). The tiramisu at Aroma Cafe is not shabby.

Here are a few images of what you might see if you go to Portsmouth this summer:

Prescott Park Flower Garden:
Strawbery Banke:

Popovers on Congress Street:

Street Music:

Good Eats at the Decks:
Narrow, Brick Walkways:
Market Square:

Shopping in Downtown:

Labels: portsmouth new hampshire

posted by B. Samii @ 12:55 PM