Portsmouth is one of my favorite cities in all of New England. It it a small walk-able city situated right on the water and there is loads of American history around every corner. Our itinerary for the trip was this: wander the streets, eat good food, and drink good beer. And Portsmouth was the perfect city to do just that.
Here is a list of the top 8 things to do on a couples getaway:
1. Transport your taste buds to Paris at the Elephantine Bakery
Head to Elephantine Bakery for pastries and desserts that are as sweet as the owners, Sherif and Nadine Farag. The bakery is an endeavor that reflects their deepest values “good food, a beautiful setting, the nurturing of community, and the art of living well.” Enjoy a croissant and a latte on the charming sidewalk cafe.
2. Hold hands and stroll through Prescott Park
This pretty waterfront park is the perfect place to wander aimlessly or sit with a coffee and do some people watching. There is a beautiful garden and performances by musicians and theater groups throughout the summer.
3. Share an ice cream cone at Annabelles
Annabelle’s uses only the finest natural ingredients and no artificial colors, leaving you with nothing but delicious perfection. Try the Cashew Caramel Cluster which is a favorite across New England.
4. Wander the historic downtown
Wandering the cobblestone streets and browsing through little boutique shops was my favorite part of the trip. When you have had enough shopping, stop into the Portsmouth Brewery and order a flight. It’s a fun way to sample a variety of their brews. Hint: ask to sit in the secret courtyard.
5. Enjoy tapas and sangria at Cava
Hidden down a romantic little alley, you will find a brick building covered with a vertical garden. Sit in the courtyard to enjoy some small plates and wash it down with sangria.
6. Take a Sunset Harbor Cruise
Portsmouth Harbor Cruises has many offerings throughout the day from a one hour harbor cruise where you can learn all about the history of the area to a sunset cruise that is lightly narrated, so you can quietly enjoy being on the water. There is a full service bar, so get yourself a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy the views.
7. Have a candle lit dinner at the Black Trumpet
Lauded as one of the best restaurants in New Hampshire, the Black Trumpet is known for their locally sourced craft food and creative libations in an intimate setting. We had our anniversary dinner here and it was dark, candle-lit and romantic. We had an upstairs window seat that looked over the harbor with fresh wildflowers on the table. I had the summer risotto with a mojito made with freshly picked garden herbs that were both unbelievable.
8. Snuggle up at the Ale House Inn
We checked into the Ale House Inn, which is a small boutique hotel right in the downtown. There are only 10 room and no children allowed, so it was peaceful and quiet place to reconnect. You can read my full review of the hotel by clicking here.
The coordination involved with storing three children while we went away for one night was crazy. We left grandparents with a Venn diagram about where they each had to be and when. But it is so important for relationships to make that special alone time with each other and Portsmouth is a perfect place to reconnect.
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