New Hampshire Travel Info, Recommendations, and Links

New Hampshire

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Portsmouth - Our first visit to this lovely seaside town was in February 2001; it was a dual engagement/Valentine's celebration. We went for another getaway weekend in February 2002, and will likely return again and again. Portsmouth is a great place for romance and relaxation; it's filled with intriguing shops, inviting restaurants, lively bars and pubs, and a number of quaint B&Bs. Read on for our top Portsmouth picks...

Tourist Info:

	Visit New Hampshire - For comprehensive information on travel throughout New Hampshire, use this link to access the web site of the New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development. While you're there, be sure to order your free guidebook.
	PortsmouthNH.com - This site contains a wealth of useful information for visitors to Portsmouth, including lodging, attractions, dining, and more.

Local Transportation:

Portsmouth is less than two hours' drive from Boston, so most visitors from the New England area arrive by car. Parking in Portsmouth is plentiful and cheap, but if you're staying near the center of town, you'll find it's just as easy to get around on foot - and it's a great way to familiarize yourself with the downtown area. The City of Portsmouth also offers several forms of mass transit, including a seasonal trolley service. Visit the City of Portsmouth Public Transportation web page for details.

Attractions:

	Historic Houses of the Seacoast - Coastal New Hampshire and southern Maine boast a number of historic homes that are open for tours in the summer and fall, including the John Paul Jones House (43 Middle Street, Portsmouth), Jackson House (76 Northwest Street, Portsmouth), Wentworth-Coolidge State Historic Mansion (375 Little Harbor Road, Portsmouth), Moffatt-Ladd House (154 Market Street, Portsmouth), Gilman-Garrison House (12 Water Street, Exeter), Warner House (150 Daniel Street, Portsmouth), Rundlet-May House (364 Middle Street, Portsmouth), Governor John Langdon House (143 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth), Sayard-Wheeler House (79 Barrell Lane, York Harbor, Maine), Hamilton House (Vaughan's Lane, South Berwick, Maine), and Sarah Orne Jewett House (5 Portland Street, South Berwick, Maine). Visit the historic homes page on PortsmouthNH.com for more details.
	Kittery Outlets - Route 1, Kittery, Maine - Just five minutes' drive from Portsmouth is a shoppers paradise: a slew of outlet centers conveniently located along a short stretch of Route 1 in southern Maine. While Maine does have sales tax (5%) and some of the designer "outlets" are not exactly cheap, you're still bound to walk away with a trunk-full of bargains. We've found some of the best buys at the G.H. Bass, Geoffrey Beene, Izod, and Van Heusen outlets. (Shay also recommends the Leggs/Hanes/Bali/Playtex outlet, and sometimes finds good deals in the clearance areas of Coldwater Creek [back right side of the store], Jones New York, and Liz Claiborne.) Directions, hours (see home page), store listings, outlet map, sales events, and more are available online.
	Portsmouth Harbour Trail - The Portsmouth Harbour Trail passes more than 70 points of scenic and historic interest, including 10 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, 10 National Historic Landmarks, and three homes maintained by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. A virtual tour of trail highlights is available online. Visitors can order a copy of the trail guide and map for a small fee, or view the tour map online.
	Prescott Park - Located at the edge of the Piscataqua River and across from Strawbery Banke, Prescott Park was donated around the turn of the century to city of Portsmouth by two sisters, Josie and Sarah Prescott. The popular waterfront park features extensive flower gardens, including large demonstration beds where many varieties of flowers are shown each summer. The park also is the site of one of New England's most popular outdoor summer events, the Prescott Park Arts Festival, which presents a musical and dozens of performances by musicians and theater groups during July and August.
	Redhook Brewery - 35 Corporate Drive, Pease Tradeport, Portsmouth - Redhook Brewery offers daily tours (twice-daily on weekends) to visitors. Learn how these craft beers are brewed, sample a variety of Redhook's finest, send free Redhook postcards to your friends and family, and walk home with a souvenir tasting glass. At $1 per person (or free with an Internet "Tour Buck" that you print from your computer), these tours are one of Portsmouth's best bargains. And if you're looking for good food, go early or stay late and have your meal in the Cataqua Public House. Visit the web site for directions and map, hours and tour info, live music schedule, and more.
	Sandy Point Discovery Center - Depot Road, Stratham - Education center for Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Highlights include an interactive exhibit room, touch tank, and boardwalk. The grounds at Sandy Point are open to the public from dawn to dusk throughout the year (weather permitting). The Discovery Center is open to the public May through October. Visit the web site for directions, hours, and other information .
	Seacoast Science Center - Odiorne State Park, 570 Ocean Boulevard, Rye - Year-round marine education facility offering programs, camps, and exhibits for all ages. Situated on 330 acres, the center allows visitors to explore seven distinct coastal habitats. Visit the web site for directions, admission fees (scroll to bottom of page), virtual tour, and more.
	Strawbery Banke - Marcy Street, Portsmouth - Strawbery Banke, a unique outdoor urban history museum, explores how ordinary people lived during four centuries. Forty buildings, most on their original sites, trace the evolution of the Puddle Dock neighborhood. Nine furnished houses and period gardens each introduce a different era in American history. Six exhibit houses also show tools, building methods and archeology. Visit the web site for museum information (including admission, hours, and directions), tour schedule, museum map, history, collections, buildings and exhibits, event calendar, and more.

Restaurants:

	Chiangmai Thai Restaurant - 128 Penhallow Street, Portsmouth - This looks like a very nice Thai restaurant, from what we could see from the outside...we attempted to dine there during our last visit to Portsmouth, but the restaurant was closed that weekend. So, we'll have to wait until next time to give you the full report. In the meantime, visit Chiangmai's web site for hours, directions, lunch menu, lunch specials, dinner menu, sauces and curries, and other information.
	The Metro - 20 High Street, Portsmouth - The Metro bills itself as "an American bistro", but it has the cozy ambiance of a Parisian cafe...lots of wood and warm colors, and Toulouse-Lautrec prints on the walls. The food is also worthy of a fine French restaurant, from hearty salads and savory sandwiches to perfectly-prepared meats and innovative pasta creations. Visit The Metro online for hours, directions, lunch menu, dinner menu, photo tour, and other information.
	The Oar House - 55 Ceres Street, Portsmouth - Fine dining in an upscale waterfront restaurant. The food, which tends heavily toward seafood, is exquisitely prepared...and priced accordingly. Be prepared to pay $20-$30 for a main dish; dinner for two with appetizers, salads, and drinks will run about $100. We recommend you go for lunch, when sandwiches and entrees are under $15. Visit the Oar House web site for hours and map, appetizers, lunch menu, dinner menu, wine list, and other information.
	Portsmouth Brewery - 56 Market Street, Portsmouth - In addition to great beers—all brewed either on premise or by local Smuttynose Brewing Co.—this bar/restaurant also offers excellent food. Along with the traditional bar fare, the Portsmouth Brewery offers quite a variety of vegetarian entrees including vegetarian jambalaya, brasserie linguine, savory vegetable pie, and the ubiquitous veggie burger. View the full food menu online, and visit the home page to see what beers are currently on tap. Directions and other information are available online.
	Portsmouth GasLight Company - 64 Market Street, Portsmouth - The GasLight Company is the place to go for pizza in Portsmouth. The restaurant offers standard American fare in the upstairs dining room, and delicious brick-oven pizza (as well as pasta and calzones) downstairs. We recommend the unadorned "Children's Museum" classic cheese pizza, along with a GasLight salad. The breadsticks looked tempting, but we really didn't need them...we couldn't even finish a small pizza between us. For directions and more, visit the web site.
	Roxanne's - 105 Daniel Street, Portsmouth - This tiny little restaurant (around a dozen tables) seems to be one of the most popular places in Portsmouth for breakfast and brunch...every table is filled, and there is usually a short wait in the crowded entryway. But most people would agree it's worth the wait...take a peek at the menu online to see for yourself. We recommend the Cinnamon-Raisin French Toast and the Tex-Mex Burrito (with veggie sausage on the side!). They also serve lunch and dinner, which we haven't yet had an opportunity to try.

Clubs & Bars:

	Cataqua Public House - Red Hook Brewery, 35 Corporate Drive, Pease Tradeport, Portsmouth - If you like high-quality craft beers, be sure to stop by the Redhook Brewery. The brewery's on-site bar/restaurant, The Cataqua Public House, offers a variety of fresh Redhook brews on tap (as well as a tempting food menu). If you time your visit right (early afternoon), join in the guided brewery tour. Visit the Portsmouth Redhook Brewery site for tour schedule, directions and map, and other info.
	Coat of Arms Pub - 174 Fleet Street, Portsmouth - Step into this pub and feel as if you've been transported to Britain. Lots of wood, tartan wallpaper, a snooker table, true British pub fare (like Bangers & Mash and Beef Wellington), and an extensive selection of British (and American) beers on tap. Coat of Arms doesn't seem to have its own web site, but you can get a peek at the bar in a review posted on Brewtopia Events (scroll down; it's the sixth pub review).
	Molly Malone's - 177 State Street, Portsmouth - A traditional Irish pub serving up lots of Guinness and other imported and local beers, as well as tasty martinis and specialty coffee drinks. Great ambiance. Visit the web site to read up on the legend of Molly Malone, view the extensive menus (lunch, dinner, brunch, and drinks), access directions, and more
	Portsmouth Brewery - 56 Market Street, Portsmouth - The Portsmouth Brewery offers a wide selection of craft beers, all of which are either brewed on premises or by their sister company, local Smuttynose Brewing Co. You can view the full list of beers currently on tap on the brewpub's home page (just scroll down a bit), along with the current and upcoming cask ales featured in the Jimmy LaPanza Lounge. In addition to great beer, the Portsmouth Brewery also offers an excellent and varied food menu, including a number of vegetarian options. Visit the web site for directions and other information.

Accommodations:

Sise Inn - 40 Court Street, Portsmouth - This lovely bed & breakfast is housed in a Victorian mansion. The guest rooms are large and comfortable; all feature antique and period reproduction furnishings as well as private baths. During both of our stays, we opted for an "executive suite", which featured a large sitting room area (with a sofa and a dining table) and a separate bedroom. Both rooms had a television, and the sitting room had a VCR. If you go in the off-season, be sure to check out the getaway packages...our Valentine's package included accommodations, a bountiful breakfast buffet, wine, chocolates, and flowers for $139 per night (per couple, not per person). The Sise Inn is just a short walk from Portsmouth's charming downtown area; there's no need to move your car from the inn's parking lot unless you're heading beyond the town center (e.g., if you're going to the Redhook Brewery or Kittery Outlets). Visit the Sise Inn web site for directions and additional details, or visit the Somplace(s) Different home page for information on other distinctive inns throughout the northeast and Canada.

Lakes Region - We first visited the Lakes Region for a Valentine's weekend getaway. It's a lovely area, and very popular among those who enjoy outdoor sports. Unfortunately, during our visit, the temperatures were well below freezing...so we spent most of the weekend indoors! But we plan to go back for another visit in the fall or spring.

Tourist Info:

	Visit New Hampshire - For comprehensive information on travel throughout New Hampshire, use this link to access the web site of the New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development. While you're there, be sure to order your free guidebook.
	LakesRegion.org - Visit this site for information on the many things there are to see and do in New Hampshire's Lakes Region. You can access info on lodging, attractions, dining, and more. You can also check out a calendar of events, and order free vacation guides. For additional details, log onto the LakesRegion-NH.com site.

Local Transportation:

The Lakes Region is less than two hours' drive from Boston, so most visitors from the New England area arrive by car. However, the GLTA (Greater Laconia Transit Agency) offers local bus and trolley service. Visit the GLTA web site for schedules and prices for each of its routes: Laconia, Franklin, Plymouth, and summer trolley service.

Attractions:

	America's Stonehenge - 105 Haverhill Road, Salem - The unusual attraction known as "America's Stonehenge" consists of a maze of man-made chambers, walls, and ceremonial meeting places. The site is believed to be over 4,000 years old, although nobody knows for certain who built the stone structures. According to the web site, "archaeological excavation at the site has uncovered an amazing range of historic and pre-historic artifacts—from stone tools, pottery, and ancient old world scripts to 18th- and 19th-century house wares, as well as manacles (possibly removed from slaves who used the site as a stop on the underground railroad in the 1830's and 1840's)." The site is open year round; in the winter, visitors can rent snowshoes to explore the area. Visit the web site for visitor information, (including hours, prices, and directions), alpaca habitat, photos, and more. *Note:* Technically, this site isn't in the Lakes Region; it's about halfway between Boston and Laconia. But it's just a few miles off of Interstate 93, so if you're driving to the Lakes Region from Massachusetts, you can stop here on the way.
	Castle in the Clouds - Route 171, Moultonborough - This stunning 5,200-acre estate is perched atop the Ossipee Mountains, overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. The mansion was built in 1913 by Thomas Plant, a retired industrialist. His home features architectural styles from many different countries, and he created a variety of clever household appliances. Visitors can tour the estate, grounds, and even the Castle Springs water bottling plant from mid-May through mid-October. Visit the web site for hours, admission fees, and directions.
	Lakes Region Factory Stores - 120 Laconia Road, Tilton - While outdoor sights and sports draw many to the Lakes Region, one of Shay's favorite attractions is the outlet shopping! Not only do these outlets feature great prices, there is no sales tax on apparel or shoes in New Hampshire...so your money goes even farther! The outlets include a variety of clothing stores, such as Brooks Brothers, Gap, Geoffrey Beene, Eddie Bauer, J. Jill, J. Crew, Jones New York, Levi's, Liz Claiborne, and Polo/Ralph Lauren. (Some have better deals than others.) There are also several shoes stores—including Bass, Nine West, and Reebok outlets—and a number of shops selling housewares. Visit the web site for hours and directions, a store directory, info on sales and events, and more. You can even order a free brochure online.
	Motorcycle Week - Laconia - Every June, Laconia hosts a motorcycle rally and race week. It is the oldest of the nation's "big three" motorcycle rallies (the other two being Sturgis, South Dakota, and Daytona, Florida). For more information, visit the Laconia Motorcycle Week or Laconia Bike Week web sites.
	Sleigh Rides at Belgian Acres Farm - 91 Clark Road, Tilton - During our Valentine's weekend stay Ferry Point House, our getaway package included a sleigh ride at the nearby Belgian Acres Farm. Although the weather was bitter cold, we still had a wonderful time on our outing. We were seated in an old-fashioned, six-seat sleigh, and two large Belgian draft horses pulled us along a snowy trail. We also got to meet several of the farm's other residents, including a couple of adorable pygmy goats, two cute donkeys, and some frolicsome felines. After our sleigh ride, we were treated to hot mulled cider. The owners of the Belgian Acres Farm offer a complimentary sleigh or hay ride to all of their guests; however, visitors that are staying elsewhere can book a ride on a space-available basis. Visit the web site for information on accommodations, sleigh and hay rides, directions, and more.

Restaurants:

Fratello's Ristorante Italiano - Laconia - 799 Union Avenue, Laconia - Our hosts at the Ferry Point House B&B recommended Fratello's for dinner; it turned out to be excellent advice. When we first arrived at the restaurant, we headed to the upstairs lounge for a few cocktails. (Shay had a "Nutty Irishman" coffee, and then tried a specialty drink that the bartender made with hot chocolate and several liquers...it tasted like a candy bar, and was absolutely delicious!) After a few drinks, we were ready for dinner; but because of the long wait for the dining room, we opted to eat at the bar. (The downside was that we ended up with several heavy smokers nearby. Bleagh!) Although the smoke detracted from our meal, the food was delicious. Shay ordered a Portabella Mesclun Salad and pasta with a Rosa Diavlo sauce (a mix of spicy marinara and cream sauces, which Shay claims was the best pasta sauce she has ever had!), while Mike ordered the Veal & Sausage Vincenzo. The dessert menu looked very enticing, but we were too full from the drinks and dinner to try anything. For more information, visit the Fratello's web site, which has lunch and dinner menus, a wine list, directions, and more. Note: Fratello's has a second location at 155 Dow Street in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Upper Crust Pizzeria - 65 Laconia Road, Tilton - We stopped here for lunch before our sleigh ride. The prices were very reasonable, the pizza was quite tasty, and we enjoyed the spicy fries. Unfortunately, this restaurant does not have a web site, but you can call to verify their operating hours: (603) 286-3191.

Clubs & Bars:

Fratello's - 799 Union Avenue, Laconia - Unfortunately, we really didn't get to visit any bars or clubs while we were in the Lakes Region; however, we did have a few drinks in the upstairs lounge at Fratello's prior to dinner. The bartender made a wonderful drink with hot chocolate...it tasted just like a candy bar! They don't seem to have their mixed drinks or cocktails posted on the web site, but you can view the wine list online.

Accommodations:

Ferry Point House - 100 Lower Bay Road, Sanbornton - We stayed at this charming B&B during our Valentine's weekend getaway to the Lakes Region. Ferry Point House is a lovingly restored Victorian home dating from the early 1800s. Many of its guest rooms offer views of Lake Winnisquam. Even if you don't have a lake-view room, you can enjoy the view from the large front porch or lakeside gazebo. While our room (the Wentworth Room) did not have a lake view, it was the only room with a jacuzzi...a worthwhile trade-off during that cold weekend in February! Our room had a comfortable bed and lovely decor, and it was right off of the common area, which had a cozy fireplace, books, puzzles, and complimentary sherry

Belgian Acres Farm - 91 Clark Road, Tilton - While we didn't actually stay at this B&B, we did enjoy a sleigh ride here during our Valentine's weekend visit. The house was lovely, and the farm's resident animals were very sweet and friendly. Hopefully we'll get a chance to stay here someday; we'll post a full review then. In the meantime, you can visit the web site for photos and info on the B&B and carriage rides, plus directions and more.

Note: There are a lot of links throughout this section. Although we try to maintain these pages on a regular basis, web site pages go up, come down, and change addresses at a staggering pace. So if you happen to notice any bad links, please contact us so that we can update our listings. Many thanks!