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Activities & Trip Planning
Welcome to historic Portsmouth, N.H., located along a lovely stretch of seacoast nestled between the states of Massachusetts and Maine. Founded in 1623, Portsmouth is the third-oldest settlement in the U.S.
Downtown Portsmouth is located just a 10-minute walk from the Inn, and within a 30-minute drive or less you can experience the many activities listed below.
July & August - "Fests" in Prescott Park. Come for the "Americana Fest," "KIDS Fest," and "Rythm & Roots Fest and stay for more of Portsmouth. For more information, visit www.PrescottPark.org.
Thru August 24th – the Prescott Park Arts Festival presents "Beauty & the Beast" outside, under the stars, in Prescott Park on Friday & Saturday at 8 pm and Thursday & Sunday at 7:00 pm. General admission $5.
July & August - "The Pajama Game" and "Little Shop of Horrors" at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre. Shows Thursday thru Sunday at various times. Call 800-639-7650 for show times and ticket information or visit www.seacoastrep.org.
July & August - "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" LIVE at midnight at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre. Shows Friday and Saturday nights at midnight (under 17 not admitted). Call 800-639-7650 for show times and ticket information or visit www.seacoastrep.org.
Monthly – Art ‘Round Town features simultaneous art gallery openings the second Friday of each month from 5 to 8 pm. Visit www.artroundtown.org. Or visit the Farmer's Market every Saturday morning at City Hall from 8:00 until 12:30 p.m.
July & August at The Music Hall: The summer movie fest continues: 42 films in 13 weeks including Hotel Rwanda, War & Peace, Roman de Gare, Son of Rambow, Jellyfish, Nowhere in Africa, and Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Call 603-436-2400 show times and ticket information or visit www.TheMusicHall.org.
Ongoing in June:
- At The Music Hall - Every other Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. take an Historic Tour of the inner workings of the Hall.
- Tours: Historic Portsmouth Legends and Ghosts walk with New England Curiosities, call 207-439-8905 for schedule and information
- Poetry: The Poetry Hoot the first Wednesday of every month at Café Espresso at 738 Islington Street. Call 603-772-4345. Stone Pigeon Poetry Readings from 7 to 9 pm the second Monday of every month, two feature readers followed by an open mic at Breaking New Grounds.
Check the PortsmouthNH.com events calendar for the latest listing of happenings in the Portsmouth area.
Outdoor activities:
- Beaches of the New Hampshire seacoast located in Rye, New Castle and Hampton.
- Challenging and beautiful golf courses, such as the Portsmouth Golf Club, Breakfast Hill and the Ledges.
- Hiking, boating and biking at Odiorne Point State Park
- Fishing and whale watching trips from Rye Harbor State Park
- The natural history of the NH seacoast at the Seacoast Science Center
- Guided kayak tours of the southern Maine coast and Portsmouth Harbor
- The Seacoast forts of Portsmouth Harbor and other historic sites
- Guided scuba-diving trips around Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine
- Speak to us about arranging a private guided tour of historic downtown for groups of two or larger.
- See Portsmouth Harbor on the The MV Heritage. Or cruise out to view the Isles of Shoals on The MV Thomas Laighton.
Shopping and indoor activities:
- Southern New Hampshire's finest antique shops
- Southern Maine's finest antique shops
- Shopping at 176 factory outlets in Kittery, Maine.
- U.S. Naval Shipyard Museum and the U.S.S. Albacore Submarine Museum
- Gourmet chocolatiers Cacao Chocolates in Kittery and Byrne & Carlson in Portsmouth
- Fine Italian pasta, cheese and wine at Enoteca Italiana and Terra Cotta Pasta in Kittery, Maine.
- Dozens of independent shops in downtown Portsmouth
- Brewery tours are available at Red Hook Brewery, daily, or Smuttynose Brewery, by appointment.
Restaurants and Night Life:
- Downtown restaurants for all appetites and budgets
- Several music, theater and movie venues
Special Interests:
- Sign up for a wide variety of cooking classes at Attrezzi for a stimulating evening of food and wine.
- Try your hand at quilting or other sewing projects. See the class schedule at the Portsmouth Fabric Company.
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"Getting the Love You Want" workshops are an intensive two-day workshop for Partners in all stages of relationships, to rediscover the joy and spiritual potential of being together while using your relationship for personal development and growth. For more information visit www.csuemautz.com
Sample Daytrip Itineraries:
Walk the Beaches of Southern Maine:
After your wonderful breakfast at the Inn, hop in the car for a 50 minute drive up Route 95 to Kennebunkport. Drive into town past the spectacular old captain's houses, walk around downtown, and then get your feet wet at the beach. Pick up the slow road by taking Route 9 south through Wells and into Ogunquit. Walk the Marginal Way cliff walk from Perkins Cove to the Beach (or vice-versa). Have lunch in town or at Perkins Cove before continuing down the Shore Drive meeting up with Route 1A to Cape Neddick and the Nubble Lighthouse. Take some photos and then drive down to Long Sands Beach for another dip in the ocean and some salt water taffy. Follow Route 1A south, then turn left onto Route 103 towards Kittery. Stop and walk the Wiggly Bridge or take in the harbor view from Fort McCleary. Turn left on Route 1 and you are back in downtown Portsmouth.
Explore Lake Winnipesaukee:
Pick up Routes 4/16 at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle and head north for the mountains. About an hour later, you will hit Alton at the southern most tip of the Lake. Choose to drive up the east side or the west side and off you go. On the west side, enjoy a walk up Mount Major and a visit to Weir's Beach. Along the east side, explore the town of Wolfeboro before heading to the north end of the lake at Moultonboro and Center Harbor. On your way home, detour south of Rochester for the town of Northwood in order to pick up Route 4 again and experience "Antique Alley."