Guidebook for Portsmouth
Shopping
there are 4 different Pickwick's- all close to the cottage, don't miss them, especially the one on Sheafe St.
Pickwicks Mercantile
64 State Streetthere are 4 different Pickwick's- all close to the cottage, don't miss them, especially the one on Sheafe St.
Food Scene
Just across the street within sight of the cottage. Open for lunch only with outdoor deck over the water or an indoor dining area with a throwback atmosphere to the 60's. Same family for over 40 years; menu highlights lobster rolls, chowder, pie; beer and wine too.
66 locals recommend
Lil's Cafe
7 Wallingford SquareJust across the street within sight of the cottage. Open for lunch only with outdoor deck over the water or an indoor dining area with a throwback atmosphere to the 60's. Same family for over 40 years; menu highlights lobster rolls, chowder, pie; beer and wine too.
Great oysters and creative farm to table signature dishes. Very comfortable but not traditional French Provencal feeling inside.
15 locals recommend
The Franklin
148 Fleet StGreat oysters and creative farm to table signature dishes. Very comfortable but not traditional French Provencal feeling inside.
Crullers and other pastries to die for- best coffee, espressos, lattes, etc in the seacoast
66 locals recommend
Lil's Cafe
7 Wallingford SquareCrullers and other pastries to die for- best coffee, espressos, lattes, etc in the seacoast
best fried fish sandwich and best deck drinking scene on the river, right next to the tugboats on Ceres St.
14 locals recommend
Old Ferry Landing
10 Ceres Stbest fried fish sandwich and best deck drinking scene on the river, right next to the tugboats on Ceres St.
James Beard nominated chef making a true farm to table menu- fun place to share small plates
28 locals recommend
Moxy
106 Penhallow StJames Beard nominated chef making a true farm to table menu- fun place to share small plates
Incredible vibe with 50 local brews on tap; contemporary menu and music played on a turntable
66 locals recommend
The Black Birch
2 Government StIncredible vibe with 50 local brews on tap; contemporary menu and music played on a turntable
STREET eat/drink 360
801 Islington StStreet food in a busy, fun vibe, all day long.
You can walk over to Sander's for fresh fish to cook in or for a lobster, clam or scallop roll. They have a little market with local beer, wines, snacks and produce.
12 locals recommend
Sanders Fish Market
367 Marcy StYou can walk over to Sander's for fresh fish to cook in or for a lobster, clam or scallop roll. They have a little market with local beer, wines, snacks and produce.
My favorite local brewery because of the nice friendly staff, the indoor/ outdoor set-up and the bratwurst sandwich- the bratwurst sandwich is to die for.
21 locals recommend
Liar's Bench Beer Company
459 Islington StMy favorite local brewery because of the nice friendly staff, the indoor/ outdoor set-up and the bratwurst sandwich- the bratwurst sandwich is to die for.
A little hard to find in the ally but worth it. There is an outside beer garden and a pubby inside dining area. The food is a bit more creative than a standard brewery and the beer is the best.
22 locals recommend
Earth Eagle Brewings
175 High StA little hard to find in the ally but worth it. There is an outside beer garden and a pubby inside dining area. The food is a bit more creative than a standard brewery and the beer is the best.
A real solid place to eat with a range of choices from the raw bar, the sushi rolls, hamburgers, lobster rolls or more elaborate full dinners- you can get it all here and done exceptionallly well in a dramatic setting overlooking the river.
38 locals recommend
Surf Portsmouth
99 Bow StA real solid place to eat with a range of choices from the raw bar, the sushi rolls, hamburgers, lobster rolls or more elaborate full dinners- you can get it all here and done exceptionallly well in a dramatic setting overlooking the river.
An easy quick walk to Elephantine Bakery will get you the best parties and coffee in downtown.
18 locals recommend
Elephantine Bakery
10 Commercial AlleyAn easy quick walk to Elephantine Bakery will get you the best parties and coffee in downtown.
Essentials
great wine and cheese shop just a short stroll in the neighborhood of the cottage
10 locals recommend
South Street & Vine
359 Marcy Stgreat wine and cheese shop just a short stroll in the neighborhood of the cottage
If you need an in-town supermarket, this is less than 10 minutes away by car.
14 locals recommend
Hannaford Supermarket
800 Islington StIf you need an in-town supermarket, this is less than 10 minutes away by car.
Sightseeing
Any and every age would love this historic preservation neighborhood museum!. Not to be missed!
111 locals recommend
Strawbery Banke Museum
14 Hancock StAny and every age would love this historic preservation neighborhood museum!. Not to be missed!
Don't miss the historic old houses and windy streets along the waterfront or the coves, public beach, the views, the lighthouse you can tour, the Coast Guard station or the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel on this tiny island 5 minutes away from the cottage
11 locals recommend
New Castle
Don't miss the historic old houses and windy streets along the waterfront or the coves, public beach, the views, the lighthouse you can tour, the Coast Guard station or the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel on this tiny island 5 minutes away from the cottage
Drive Rte. 103 out to Gerrish Island and Fort Foster for the trails, amazing beach and old WWII bunkers!
Kittery Point
Drive Rte. 103 out to Gerrish Island and Fort Foster for the trails, amazing beach and old WWII bunkers!
This beach boats an old-school boardwalk with a game arcade, bowling, many restaurants such as the Goldenrod with its soda fountain and taffy making onsite, a zoo and an amusement park with all the classics such as a ferris wheel and kiddie rides.
36 locals recommend
York Beach
This beach boats an old-school boardwalk with a game arcade, bowling, many restaurants such as the Goldenrod with its soda fountain and taffy making onsite, a zoo and an amusement park with all the classics such as a ferris wheel and kiddie rides.
The former home of Geroge Washington's secretary that you can tour, just 2 doors away from the cottage
Wentworth-Gardner Historic House Association
50 Mechanic StThe former home of Geroge Washington's secretary that you can tour, just 2 doors away from the cottage
You can see the Gundalow's dock from the kitchen windows of the cottage. Sail this replica of the working boats that used to ply the Piscataqua River and tour the seacoast from the water.
16 locals recommend
Gundalow Company
60 Marcy StYou can see the Gundalow's dock from the kitchen windows of the cottage. Sail this replica of the working boats that used to ply the Piscataqua River and tour the seacoast from the water.
Arts & Culture
Unbelievable line-up of national acts for free in a venue outside along the river. Gardens and fountains not to be missed. plenty of public boat docking available.
42 locals recommend
Prescott Park Arts Festival
105 Marcy StUnbelievable line-up of national acts for free in a venue outside along the river. Gardens and fountains not to be missed. plenty of public boat docking available.
Portsmouth Athenaeum
9 Market SquareGreat photos and historic artifacts
African Burying Ground Memorial
386 State Streeta very moving memorial to a recently discovered slave burying ground
Discover Portsmouth
10 Middle StreetGreat local history musem
Drinks & Nightlife
Beautiful, long deck with firepits and a stunning view of the river . Inside bar is a large circular custom glass top that changes color.
30 locals recommend
Martingale Wharf
99 Bow StBeautiful, long deck with firepits and a stunning view of the river . Inside bar is a large circular custom glass top that changes color.
In the basement of this restaurant lies a cozy underground, live music venue in a 300+ year old river warehouse. Always exceptional musicians.
7 locals recommend
Dolphin Striker
15 Bow StIn the basement of this restaurant lies a cozy underground, live music venue in a 300+ year old river warehouse. Always exceptional musicians.
The Wallingford Dram
7 Wallingford SquareCocktail scene supreme, just 22 seats- a real favorite!
Even if you go here just for the Espresso martini on nitro tap, that is enough already! Open for drinks until last call at 1am.
18 locals recommend
The Wilder
174 Fleet StEven if you go here just for the Espresso martini on nitro tap, that is enough already! Open for drinks until last call at 1am.
Parks & Nature
Odiorne Point State Park
Trails, Beaches, Views- just quiet and gorgeous
A really cool old and large outdoor pool kept in impeccable condition, and on the river.
Peirce Island Outdoor Pool
99 Peirce Island RdA really cool old and large outdoor pool kept in impeccable condition, and on the river.
Just driving scenic Rte 1A to this beach is worth the gas!
33 locals recommend
Wallis Sands State Beach
1050 Ocean BlvdJust driving scenic Rte 1A to this beach is worth the gas!
Ogunquit
may be the most beautiful beach on the east coast