If you haven’t been to Portsmouth, NH, add this coastal city to your travel bucket list. Famous for its cobblestone-lined streets, historic downtown, and a vibrant cultural and arts scene, there are so many fun things to do in Portsmouth. The city also has an amazing food scene, make sure you check out our round-up of the best restaurants in Portsmouth. If you’re looking for things to do in Portsmouth, we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for more of the best places to visit in New England check out this guide.
What To Do In Portsmouth NH
There truly is no shortage of fun things to do in Portsmouth. Whether you’re looking for a beach day, shopping, historic sites, museums or great food, there is something for everyone. Here you’ll find plenty of ideas for fun, family-friendly, dog-friendly, and even free things to do in Portsmouth New Hampshire.
15 Things to Do in Portsmouth, NH
Visit the historic Moffatt-Ladd House Museum on Market Street.
Don’t miss Nahcotta Gallery in Market Square.
Check out Prescott Park on the waterfront.
The Green Room is a great spot to grab breakfast or lunch.
Shopping in Market Square
Market Street/Market Square is a cute shopping destination near the waterfront. It was conveniently located close to our hotel so we had a chance to walk around and peruse the shops and boutiques. In New Hampshire you can enjoy tax-free shopping. A few of our favorites were:
- Treehouse Toys – Great place to bring your kids. A fun selection of kids toys, games, crafts, puzzles, and more.
- Gus & Ruby Letterpress – A cute gift shop with a nice selection of curated goods, stationary and more.
- Nahcotta – An art gallery and boutique, Nahcotta has a beautifully curated selection of handmade goods, stationary, gifts, and artwork. I didn’t want to leave this store!
Strawberry Banke Museum
Strawberry Banke is an outdoor museum with re-enactments, historic homes, heirloom gardens and more. Step back in time and see the preserved neighborhood’s evolution of over 350 years. If you’re familiar with the Point neighborhood in Newport, RI, it has a similar feel.
14 Hancock St., Portsmouth, NH
Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden
This historic house is a museum and National Historic Landmark. It was the home of William Whipple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, along with many other free and enslaved people who lived there throughout history. Take a docent led tour to learn about the rich history of the Moffatt-Ladd House. The house also has beautiful gardens which date back to the late nineteenth century.
Prescott Park
Prescott Park is a pretty waterfront park with flower gardens, fountains, and views of the harbor. It’s right next to Strawberry Banke so you can do both in one morning.
New Hampshire Black Heritage Trail
Take a self-guided tour of Portsmouth’s Black Heritage Trail. The New Hampshire Black Heritage Trail raises awareness for New Hampshire’s Black history, and appreciation of African American history and culture in New Hampshire.
Catch a Show at The Music Hall
The Music Hall, built in 1878 is the oldest operating theater in New Hampshire and the 14th oldest in the United States. It’s an intimate venue with less than 1,000 seats inside. The theater hosts music performances, comedy shows, off Broadway productions and more.
28 Chestnut St., Portsmout, NH
Fort Foster
While Fort Foster is technically in Maine, it’s only a short drive from Portsmouth. Located in Kittery, Fort Foster State Park is a huge park and beach with tons of spots to camp out including rocky and sandy beaches, lots of open grassy areas for picnics, a playground, and more. It’s also dog friendly, dogs are allowed on leash (but prohibited in some areas). The water is crystal clear but also very cold. The nice part is it’s much cooler there (compared to downtown Portsmouth). It’s about a 15 minute drive from downtown Portsmouth.
Parking is $25 for a day pass while it’s open (off season the park is open and parking is free). There are restrooms on site but you definitely need to bring your own food and drinks. We stopped at Lil’s Café on the way and stocked up on snacks and sandwiches for the day.
Historical Walking Tours
The knowledgeable guides for Portsmouth’s historical walking tours will give you the rich history of Portsmouth including architecture, stories, shops and more. Public tours are open May-October but private tours can be booked year round.
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
Just a short drive from Portsmouth, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, located in Dover, is a family friendly activity. There are various exhibits, workshops, classes, storytime, and more.
Ride The Trolley
A trolley ride is the perfect way to take a little break and see the beautiful sites in Portsmouth (and it’s free). During Christmas, the City of Portsmouth offers a FREE Vintage Christmas Shuttle.
The Seacoast Science Center
The Seacoast Science Center is a short drive from Portsmouth. Located in Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, NH, the Science Center has tons of interactive exhibits featuring everything from starfish to whales. During the summer months pack a picnic to enjoy in the state park. There are also tide pools to explore and tons of other family friendly activities.
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