Settled in the early 1600s, Portsmouth, New Hampshire has not only played a part in the American Revolution but was once one of the busiest ports in the nation. As a vibrant sea coastal city, it was once New England’s best kept secret. Located right on the Piscataqua River, meaning “where people come together,” Portsmouth is filled with maritime history and culture that’s embraced by locals and visitors alike. From dining on delicious seafood to listening to jazz and blues, here are the best things to do in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Located on Bow Street in downtown Portsmouth, River House is a must-do for delicious fresh, local seafood. Grab a balcony seat at River House for sweeping views of the Piscataqua River and the infamous 100-foot tugboats and start with an order of the award-winning seafood chowder. This rich, creamy chowder includes lobster, scallops, shrimp, clams and haddock – it’s a medley of maritime fare that will make you swoon with each bite. Order the lobster roll one of two ways, traditional – with mayo and lemon juice or poached in butter. Can’t choose between the chowder and lobster roll? Order the “Tall Ship” which comes with both! And if you’re gluten-free, no need to worry, many dishes at River House are gluten-free.
Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club is an oasis in the heart of historic Portsmouth, totally transporting you to another world – a world where elegance, intimacy and the love of music reign supreme. Originally a YMCA, the restored 1905 landmark still retains many touches of the old building, honoring its roots. From the converted running track to the structural steel webbing, and most importantly, being a gathering place for the Portsmouth community, the ambience of Jimmy’s possesses an inviting charm that lures you in right away.
The layout of Jimmy’s includes intimate “listening rooms” with fireplaces, high ceilings and bay windows, allowing visitors to leisurely, yet intently, listen to artists with focus, cultivating conversation in decadent chairs with craft cocktails in their hands. World-class artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, and Pat Metheny, are just a few of the more than 200 artists that have graced the stage since Jimmy’s inception. Because of Jimmy’s central location in Portsmouth, the venue attracts concert-goers from both Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts. True fans in each of these two larger cities, a mere hour away, know Jimmy’s is worth the drive. Gone are the days of traveling to New York for a special jazz and blues concert, at Jimmy’s you have everything you need for a phenomenal, unforgettable musical experience.
Oysters are a plenty in New Hampshire, but no one does it better than The Franklin. This local seafood joint is chef-owned by Matt Louis, who has an impressive track record of being nominated three times for a James Beard Award. Enter The Franklin and you’re immediately greeted with a raw oyster bar showcasing the daily oysters. The Swell and The 603 Oysters are just a couple of examples of oysters sourced directly from local New Hampshire harbors and both taste well-bodied and smooth as all ideal oysters should. What’s the key to The Franklin’s success?
“Not only are we trying to put out the best local product that we can and working with farms to get the best of the ingredients at the peak of their freshness, but we’re also spending that time to get in here super early in the morning, baking our bread [for instance], and it’s tough – it’s tough to do those things. Everything that we have here, is made from scratch,” said Megan Arthur, Corporate General Manager of The Franklin. “We’ve all been humbled and reputation aside, the restaurant is more of an evolution than a destination, it’s more of a journey. You never stop pushing that envelope, you never stop and say, ‘Okay, we’ve made it and we’re here.’ We always keep things evolving.”
Another delightful surprise at The Franklin are their made-in-house fries. Locals know that if the neon sign outside is lit up, fries are still available and if it’s dimmed, then fries are sold out for the day! Stop by for oysters, fries or any other item on the menu to indulge in delicious seafood fare that’s only found at this Portsmouth restaurant.
It’s no surprise that ten-acre Prescott Park is a backdrop for many weddings and romantic engagements. With waterfront views and lush, beautiful gardens, a simple stroll through the park will make your day. Purchased in the 1930s by the Prescott sisters, the park became public enjoyment in 1954 – in accordance with the will and testament of one of the sisters, Josie F. Prescott, who wished for a “public park, free, and accessible to all.” Today, the park is not only used as a romantic setting, but a gathering place for events such as concerts, outdoor movies, food festivals and more, hosted by the Prescott Park Arts Festival.
Want to learn more about the history of Portsmouth? Located in the Puddle Dock neighborhood and across the street from Prescott Park, the ten-acre Strawbery Banke Museum is a must-do for history buffs alike. English colonists settled in the area in the 1600s and if you time your visit right, you can tour the historic houses and meet role-players in full costumes, wearing reproductions of clothing from their eras! Visitors can encounter role-players performing the characters of laborers, merchants, homemakers and more, going about their daily lives as if time has not passed.
It’s not every day you can visit a bookstore located in the former Custom House and Post Office, a 150-year-old building, designed in 1860 by Ammi Young. The Portsmouth Book and Bar carries a quirky selection of books and many of them can be purchased at a deep discount since the bookstore works with wholesalers. Whether you prefer your books with coffee, wine or beer, Portsmouth Book and Bar carries all three beverages of choice. Hangout until midnight on weekends and check out their open mic events and author events; most recently they have hosted Margaret Atwood, author of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Embrace the maritime lifestyle and come aboard the Heritage with Portsmouth Harbor Cruise. This relaxing sunset cruise allows you to view the sights of the Moran Tugboats, the Naval shipyard, the 40-room Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion, and of course, the water of the Piscataqua River. Enjoy a cocktail or beer amidst the changing colors of the setting sun, with New Hampshire on your one side and Maine on the other. If you’re lucky, you’ll be cruising with Andrew Cole, captain and owner of the Portsmouth Harbor Cruise. Cole grew up in the area and has been captaining boats for over forty years. He’s got plenty of stories, including one where he incredibly spotted baby minke whales; he can also share the folklore of the Isles of Shoals and tell you about local maritime history.
At Pedego Electric Bikes Portsmouth, you can rent an electric bike for just $25 an hour and $75 for the day. Why choose an electric bike versus pedal bikes? Carlo DiBernardo, sales associate at Pedego Electric Bikes Portsmouth has the answer.
“The toughest thing with pedal bikes is getting going from a stop. You have that squirrely takeoff where you’re trying to find your balance and whatnot. With an electric bike, it boosts you right off the bat and gets you gliding really easily,” DiBernardo said. “Most of our customers are older people and they love these bikes because of how easy it is to just get on it and go.”
Once you get used to the electric bikes, riding them is a breeze, no matter what age you are. Carlo’s recommended route is taking them from Market Square to Route 1B, which is a beautiful route that takes you over to New Castle Island. There you’ll find Great Island Common, a public park which has 32 acres of seaside space, and other historic landmarks.
Be sure to reserve your electric bikes early, though. Renting Pedego’s electric bikes is a popular activity for many travelers to Portsmouth and the store has a limited quantity. Keep calm and ride on.
First, what is a popover? These light, airy pastries are made with egg batter and when baked in muffin tins, the batter “pops” over, hence the name popover. For those new to popovers, be careful – eating popovers in Portsmouth, New Hampshire is highly addictive.
“Our signature popovers can be enjoyed a variety of ways, as a meal overflowing with delicious ingredients, on the side of a seasonally inspired soup or salad, perhaps as a tasty snack spread with maple butter?” said Joe Linnehan, Chief Operating Office at Tinios Hospitality Group. The maple butter is a sweet detail that adds that touch of perfection to an already tasty treat.
Linnehan added, “Our award-winning bakers worked tirelessly to perfect our gluten-free Popover and they knocked it out of the park.” GF popover or regular popover, you won’t be sacrificing any flavor with either option with popovers in Portsmouth. Popovers On The Square has been serving up popovers for almost twenty years, and they do it right.
Though technically not in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the Buoy Shack was just too cool to not include in our list. Located on Badger Island, Maine, the new 2022 lobster shack is filled with lobster-love sourced locally from Skipper’s Bay Lobster and dishes range from chilled lobster dip, lobster BLTs and lobster empanadas, to of course, lobster rolls. The views across the Piscataqua River are truly spectacular and with ample outdoor seating, there’s no excuse not to dine in Maine for an afternoon lobster treat and enjoy a different view of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
If you’re still looking for more ideas of things to do in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, swing by The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth. Conveniently located at 500 Market Street, pick up your free guide, and chat with locals on their favorite things to do on the Seacoast.
Are you ready to explore the seacoast and discover things to do in Portsmouth, New Hampshire? Best Western Plus Portsmouth Hotel and Suites is centrally located, making sights and top attractions like, Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, Strawbery Banke Museum, and even Kittery, Maine, only a few minutes away. Best Western Plus Portsmouth Hotel and Suites boasts spacious suites that include modern amenities, like a full-sized kitchen and a king-sized bed to relax in after a day of exploring. The hotel sits adjacent to the award-winning Roundabout Diner, whose nostalgic vibes and fluffy pancakes have won them several accolades for “Best Diner.” Book your stay at Best Western Plus Portsmouth Hotel and Suites now.
