Portsmouth, NH is a coastal town located north of Boston (about an hour) and south of Portland, Maine (also about an hour). It has a huge downtown, is your quintessential New England port town, and there is a ton to do! Since this is a Northeastern town, I recommend going in the Spring, Summer, or Fall. Winter is doable, but it is cold and will limit what you do outside. Summer and Fall are our preferred times to go. We have family that live in Portsmouth, so we have been visiting 2-3 times a year for about 5 years now and have tried it all! My husband and I enjoy trying new foods and restaurants, and Portsmouth has it all. If you’re planning a weekend getaway to Portsmouth NH, this guide has everything you need to know.
For places to eat, you’re going to want to try these:
Elephantine – This is the most to-die-for bakery I have ever tried. Everything is a 10/10. I have personally tried the regular, chocolate, almond, ham and cheese, pistachio, and chocolate pistachio croissants. You truly can’t go wrong. Another must-try is their drinking chocolate. This is NOT hot chocolate; this is rich, thick, and silky, and you will be full after drinking this. It is delicious though and super unique. One important thing to note is this place is popular, and everything will sell out. You can put your order in online the day before to secure your goods, though!
5 Thai Bistro – Some of the best Thai food I have ever had (and I have been to Thailand!). Everything is so flavorful and fresh. We love the drunken noodles, crispy spring rolls, pad Thai, and all of their curry dishes. This is our go-to takeout food when we are visiting the area. When you’re exploring the top restaurants in Portsmouth NH, 5 Thai Bistro is a must-try.
The Soupery / The Juicery – Depending on the time of year you are visiting Portsmouth NH, you need to try one of these places. The Soupery is only open in the Fall and Winter and offers a bunch of fresh soups daily. They also have grilled cheeses on the menu to go along with the soup. I always need to get soup from here when visiting in the Fall. It is so good. As for The Juicery, they are open in the Spring and Summer and have the best made-to-order smoothies and fresh juices. I love grabbing a fresh smoothie for breakfast. They are so healthy and taste so delicious. These two storefronts are located right next to one another, by the way!
Popovers on the Square – I don’t think I had ever had a popover before visiting Portsmouth. It’s a buttery and eggy pastry (in the best way). We have tried the scrambled eggs in a popover and also the plain popover (served with maple butter). This place always has a ton of people visiting because it’s that good! Make sure to include this stop when planning your Portsmouth NH food tour.
110 Grille – This restaurant has every type of American food you could possibly want. It has a ton of room and genuinely good food. We love stopping here when we visit because it has something for everyone. The restaurant itself is quite large and can accommodate larger tables – we have done up to 10 people at a table, easily.
Geno’s – This is where you are going to go for your good ole lobster roll. This restaurant specializes in seafood (there are non-seafood options that are so amazing too, don’t worry) and lives up to its reputation of being the best. You can order the lobster roll with mayo, butter, or plain – we love that. The clam chowder is also worth mentioning because it is incredible. For our non-seafood eaters, we have gotten the hot dog and a chicken club with cheese – both AMAZING. While you are visiting Geno’s, make sure you order one of their root beers. They are made specifically for Geno’s and are literally the best root beer I have ever had. Geno’s is a top pick for anyone exploring the best restaurants in Portsmouth NH.
Gilley’s Diner – This place has been around forever and is super tiny, but is the best. This is where you are going to go for a cheeseburger, hot dog, or fries. We only tried this for the first time during our most recent visit 2 months ago, but we will absolutely continue going here because we all were impressed by the quality and simplicity that Gilley’s offers. For anyone seeking classic comfort food, Gilley’s is a must-visit in downtown Portsmouth NH.
For things to do, keep following along:
Not a specific place, but just walking through downtown Portsmouth will take up a huge chunk of time. There is so much shopping you can do. Some of our favorite shops are Summer Sessions, 20 Below Boutique, Fat Face, and Tugboat Alley. You can find some awesome clothing pieces at these stores! Also worth mentioning is Annabelle’s Natural Ice Cream store. It’s located downtown and is so incredibly fresh and delicious! Walking through downtown Portsmouth, you will enjoy sightseeing, people-watching, and the hustle and bustle of this mini-city. Exploring downtown Portsmouth NH is one of the top activities for visitors.
Make sure you walk through Strawberry Banke and Prescott Park. They are so pleasant to walk through and not too busy! In Prescott Park, there are public bathrooms for use, a beautiful fenced-in garden to walk through, and they also have live music and shows sometimes! If you walk a bit further over the bridge, you can go to Peirce Island. There are beautiful lush parks there, as well as a large playground. You will also find some nature trails there. For outdoor enthusiasts, Prescott Park and Peirce Island are top Portsmouth NH attractions.
Portsmouth is located just next to Maine. So close, you can literally walk there. You can cross the World War I Memorial Bridge from Portsmouth NH to Kittery ME. In Kittery, check out Beach Pea Baking, Terra Cotta Pasta Co., the Kittery Trading Post, and the Outlets, as well as so much more. Just please check the distance before going on a trek. Beach Pea and Terra Cotta are closer to the bridge (and across the street from one another), but the Trading Post and Outlets are further down. It’s going to be quite a walk, but it’s doable; just be prepared! A quick trip to Kittery ME is one of the best day trips from Portsmouth NH.
If you are looking for more to do, check out the Seacoast Science Center. It is located within a state park (Odiorne Point State Park), so you do need to pay a small fee upon entering the park, as well as in the science center, but it’s worth it, especially if you have kids tagging along. There are little aquariums, a touch-and-feel pond, games, and sensory activities. When you are done going through the science center, check out the state park it resides in. It is stunning. You will see the waves from the Atlantic crash on the rocky beach and explore various nature trails. The next time we visit, we are going to pack a picnic to bring! There is also a very large playground in the state park – perfect to burn some energy for kids! Odiorne Point State Park and the Seacoast Science Center are must-see Portsmouth NH attractions for families.
About 15 minutes from downtown Portsmouth is Applecrest Farms. You can pick fresh produce depending on the season, grab fresh ice cream, or shop their indoor market. We make a stop here every time we are visiting because everything is so delicious, and our kids absolutely love the “u-pick” concept. Applecrest Farms is a fun activity near Portsmouth NH that visitors of all ages will enjoy.
Portsmouth, NH, is truly a gem of New England, offering a perfect mix of history, culinary delights, outdoor adventures, and coastal charm. Whether you’re strolling through the bustling downtown, indulging in mouthwatering meals, or exploring the scenic parks and nearby attractions, there’s something here for everyone. With its welcoming vibe and endless activities, Portsmouth is the kind of place that keeps calling you back for more.
So, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, pack your bags, bring your appetite, and prepare for an unforgettable experience in this picturesque port town. We hope this guide helps you make the most of your trip to Portsmouth – enjoy every moment!
Until next time,
Lauryn XO
Beauty and the Mama 