The Top 10 Best Things to Do in Portsmouth NH

Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is one of New England’s most charming coastal cities. With its rich history, charming downtown, scenic waterfront, and incredible restaurants, it’s easy to see why this city has become one of our favorite New England destinations.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or adding it to a New England road trip, you’ll find no shortage of things to do in Portsmouth NH. From strolling through centuries of history to cruising the harbor at sunset, these are our favorite experiences for families visiting this beautiful seaside city.

Where to Stay in Portsmouth

One of the best parts about visiting Portsmouth is how walkable the downtown is, so staying close to Market Square lets you park your car and explore on foot.

For our visit, we stayed at Hotel Portsmouth, and it was the perfect home base for exploring the city. Housed in a beautifully restored historic mansion, the hotel combines classic New England charm with modern comforts.

If you’re considering staying here, be sure to read our complete review of The Hotel Portsmouth for a closer look at the rooms, amenities, breakfast, and what made our stay so memorable.

After checking in, we parked the car and spent the rest of our stay exploring Portsmouth on foot.

The Best Things to do in Portsmouth, NH

1. Step Back in Time at Strawberry Banke Museum

No visit to Portsmouth is complete without exploring Strawberry Banke Museum. This remarkable living history museum brings more than 300 years of Portsmouth’s past to life through beautifully preserved homes, historic gardens, and engaging exhibits.

Walking through Strawberry Banke feels like stepping into another century. Families can tour historic homes, learn about daily life through the generations, and participate in seasonal activities that make history fun and interactive for kids of all ages.

2. Explore Market Square

Market Square is the heart of downtown Portsmouth and one of the liveliest places in the city. Street musicians perform throughout the day, restaurants spill onto the sidewalks, and locally owned shops invite visitors to browse for hours.

Some of our favorite boutiques include:

Pickwick’s Mercantile (whimsical gifts, home décor, fragrances, books, and one-of-a-kind treasures)
Bliss (upscale women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories)
The Wear House (curated designer consignment clothing and accessories)
Ice Imports (crystals, minerals, gemstones, jewelry, swords, spiritual gifts, and unique collectibles)
Off Piste (creative gifts, greeting cards, home décor, and locally made artisan goods)
SAULT New England (classic New England-inspired clothing)
Callie B Jewelry (just the most beautiful handcrafted jewelry)
Village Silversmith (sterling silver jewelry, gemstones, crystals, fossils and minerals)
Summer Sessions (surf apparel, beachwear, accessories, and New Hampshire-inspired lifestyle clothing)
Just Portsmouth (Portsmouth-themed souvenirs, locally made gifts, apparel, and a fun photo booth)

Families should also be sure to visit:

G. Willikers! (an iconic family-owned toy and book store filled with educational toys, games, stuffed animals, children’s books, science kits, and gifts for all ages)
Treehouse Toys (high-quality toys, books, plush animals, games, puzzles, STEM toys, and heirloom-quality gifts in a whimsical setting)
Snap Quack Pop (a colorful candy, novelty, toy, and gift shop packed with retro treats, fun souvenirs, and quirky finds)
Diversions Puzzles & Games (board games, jigsaw puzzles, brainteasers, trading card games, and hands-on fun for kids and adults) My kids dragged me back here four times!
The Portsmouth Book Nook (a small independent community bookstore offering children’s books, bestselling novels and personalized book recommendations)

One of the things we loved most was how dog friendly Portsmouth is. Many of the downtown boutiques welcome well-behaved dogs inside, making it easy to enjoy the city with your four-legged family member.

3. Take a Gundalow Cruise

One of the most unique things to do in Portsmouth NH is taking a cruise aboard a traditional gundalow.

A gundalow is a flat-bottomed wooden cargo boat that was once used to transport lumber, hay, and other supplies along the Piscataqua River. Today, this beautifully recreated boat offers relaxing educational cruises through Portsmouth Harbor while sharing the city’s fascinating maritime history.

It’s a peaceful way to experience Portsmouth from the water while learning about its seafaring heritage. The kids got to help raise the sail and even steer the boat!

4. Go Aboard a Submarine at Albacore Park

If your family enjoys history or engineering, don’t miss Albacore Park.

The park is home to the USS Albacore, a revolutionary research submarine that changed modern submarine design. Visitors can actually walk through much of the submarine while listening to an audio tour explaining what life was like beneath the ocean.

Our kids loved exploring the narrow passageways, sleeping quarters, and control room. They have so much fun here, we usually stop on trips up to Maine to let them burn some energy. It’s located right off the highway and easy to get to.

5. Have Lunch on the Waterfront at The River House

After a busy morning of sightseeing, head to The River House for lunch.

Located right along the Piscataqua River, the restaurant offers beautiful waterfront views where you can watch boats glide through the harbor while enjoying fresh seafood, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other family favorites.

6. Enjoy Dinner at The Library Restaurant

For dinner, we highly recommend The Library Restaurant.

Housed inside a beautifully restored historic building, the restaurant offers an elegant yet welcoming atmosphere with a menu featuring fresh seafood, steaks, and classic New England dishes. We loved sitting in the Parlor room.

While there is no children’s menu, we were able to order sides that were big enough for a full meal. The staff couldn’t have been more accommodating, and just so kind.

Our experience here was the highlight of our trip. The kids still talk about it.

7. Wander Prescott Park

Prescott Park is one of Portsmouth’s most beautiful public spaces.

Located along the waterfront, the park features colorful gardens, walking paths, fountains, and wide open lawns where families can relax. During the summer months, it also hosts concerts, theater performances, and festivals.

8. Have Pancakes at The Friendly Toast

Breakfast at The Friendly Toast has become one of our favorite Portsmouth traditions.

Known for its quirky décor and creative menu, the restaurant serves delicious pancakes, stuffed French toast, hearty omelets, and breakfast classics that everyone in the family will enjoy. It it a great place for playing eye spy with the kids!

9. Take a Quick Trip to Kittery, Maine

One of the best things about visiting Portsmouth is that Kittery, Maine, is less than ten minutes away.

Kittery is famous for its outlet shopping, but you’ll also find locally owned boutiques, restaurants, and one of New England’s most iconic outdoor stores, Kittery Trading Post.

We love that you can experience two New England towns during the same trip with just a short drive across the bridge.

10. End the Day with a Sunset Harbor Cruise

One of the most relaxing ways to end your visit is with a sunset cruise aboard Portsmouth Harbor Cruises.

As you glide through Portsmouth Harbor, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the waterfront, nearby islands, lighthouses, historic homes, and working fishing boats while the sun sets over the Piscataqua River.

The narrated cruise shares stories about the area’s maritime history and offers a completely different perspective of Portsmouth. It’s a peaceful, memorable experience that perfectly wraps up a day exploring the city.

Why We Love Portsmouth

Portsmouth has everything we look for in a family getaway. It’s incredibly walkable, filled with fascinating history, packed with locally owned shops and outstanding restaurants, and surrounded by beautiful waterfront views.

We especially appreciate how welcoming the city is to dogs. Seeing so many shops invite well-behaved pups inside creates a relaxed atmosphere that makes Portsmouth feel even more inviting.

Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to discover something new, you’ll quickly understand why Portsmouth has become one of our favorite New England cities. If you’re looking for unforgettable things to do in Portsmouth NH, this charming coastal town belongs at the top of your travel list.