Fun things to do in Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME

[MattR302]

Wife and I are taking a mini-vacation this weekend. Friday mid-day to Sat mid-day we'll be in Portsmouth, then Portland Sat afternoon to Sun afternoon. Weather's not looking that great as of now though. No definite plans, other than checking out some breweries in each. Any other suggestions?

[number9]

Portland has the best food in New England, so give me a genre or two and I'll give you some suggestions.

If the weather gets better, the harbor cruises are pretty good. Peaks Island is interesting too. The Old Port is a cool place to hang out & walk around in, and awesome food there.

Novare Rez is beer nerd heaven.

[MattR302]

Food genres: anything goes. We both eat a lot, so we'll try to eat at as many as you mention
Beer genres: pretty much darker, non-IPA's. Wife also likes some fruity beers.
Hotel Portsmouth and La Quinta in Portland, so anything within a couple miles walking distance of those would be cool. Thanks!

[LaRNZ]

my wife and I enjoy martingale wharf in portsmouth. Good food and bevvies.

[Not Sure]

my wife and I enjoy martingale wharf in portsmouth. Good food and bevvies.

What he wrote.....

Also, ridiculous Mexican food (real deal) and 90 different tequilas at Agaves. Service is always excellent too. Portsmouth Brewery for delicious suds.

[stoinkythepig]

"La Quinta" roughly translates from Mexican to American as "next to Denny's", and you said you like to eat a lot, so Portland's covered food-wise AND entertainment-wise.

In Portsmouth, you could visit Strawberry Banke, tour the Albacore, and/or take a harbor cruise. Not sure what condition it's in, but Prescott Park is a nice stroll when the flowers are blooming. There are some historic homes you could tour (in addition to the homes in Strawberry Banke) if old houses appeal.

It's hard to find a bad meal in Portsmouth.

If you like to walk, Fort Stark is a good hike from downtown and a very interesting historic site to explore (bring a flashlight). You could walk there (and it's a truly lovely walk through New Castle, about 3.5 miles from downtown Portsmouth) then call a cab for the trip back, or keep walking counter-clockwise on 1B south back to route 1A north and make an 8ish mile loop past Wentworth by the Sea.

[snwbrdr435]

Ah the lacunta... Not in downtown Portland but a quick drive.

Fort Stark is cool, there is a parking lot there if the gate to it is closed you have to park in the library at the end of the street or be ready for a parking ticket.

[GingahNinjah]

If you like beer check out the Portsmouth Brewery for lunch or dinner. Great food ad great craft beer. also check out Fort Constitution if you like history and the waterfront.

[TheIglu]

Eventide in Portland has some great home made tonic in their G&T. Well worth it if you have never tasted what Gin and Tonic is supposed to taste like.


Try the Winter Point oysters if they have them. Best I've ever had.


Their lobster roll with the brown butter vinaigrette is an institution. Don't go in expecting what you think of when you hear lobster roll. It's outstanding. It's a steamed Vietnamese bun. Chewy, soft, little sweet. Oh man.






The roasted jumbo winterpoints were really good too.

[nhbubba]

Desert : Annabelle's ice cream down on the wharf. Hang out and stare at the tugs.

I need to go hang out in Portsmouth more. Half the places I was about to recommend are gone now per the google.

[ZX-12R]

If you like beer check out the Portsmouth Brewery for lunch or dinner. Great food ad great craft beer. also check out Fort Constitution if you like history and the waterfront.

If you take the Smuttynose tour, you get a coupon for a free beer at the Portsmouth Brewery.

[rolker]

Desert : Annabelle's ice cream down on the wharf.

I need to go hang out in Portsmouth more.

Me too, first moto night in a few weeks!

[Charlief]

I'll be in Portsmouth too. Throwing a party at the martingale Saturday night.

[Tspinning]

I just got back from a Portland mini-vacation this past weekend! Highlight for me was www.TheMaineBrewBus.com/ tour. Went to 3 breweries, (Bissel Brothers, Gerry's, Allagash) and had a great time, learned a bit and drank a bunch! Ashley was a fun and well informed tourista, and by the end of the day everyone on the bus was having fun chatting about beer, life, and experiences. Bissel Bro's was my favorite for beer content and attitude. Also went to Emilitsa for the "nice" dinner one night and had AMAZING Greek eats. Popped in and out of numerous bars, oyster joints, and restaurants for other meals. Bard coffee kicked each day off right, and an 80's dance party at Bubba's Sulky Lounge on Friday was a riot -light up floor, fun for all, packed with dancing disco-queens, rednecks, hipsters, locals, and tourists... City is grand, lots to eat and even more to drink, hope you like real beer though .

[SVRACER01]

theres a really nice restaurant/bar in Portland called Grace. ive only been in once and didnt do more than have a drink. its an old church. really nice inside.

[Viper897]

There's a lot to do in Portsmouth

If you enjoy craft beer
-Portsmouth Brewery
-Thirsty Moose (100+ beers on tap)

Good Food Places
-Fat Bellys (burgers, wings, etc)
-Thirsty Moose
-Ri Ra's
-Domo (Sushi and Japanese fair)
-The Library (a bit pricey but worth it)
-Agave Dos (Mexican)

There is a lot more Im forgetting and I live within walking distance to downtown.

Defeinently follow nhbubba's advice and get to Annabelle's, awesome ice cream.

[nhbubba]

MoJo's BBQ has been a place for us for years. Not really down-town though. Laid back BBQ. We go there a lot when there is a decent size crowd (8-10).
Street, on the other side of Islington is great if nobody can decide on one place. Kinda cool place that serves a wide array of stuff. Current menu has everything from bibimbap to a cheese burger.

And Motorbikes Plus is just under the rr bridge. Nice place to go drool on orange bikes.

[ZX-12R]

Current menu has everything from bibimbap...

I haven't had bibimbap in ages and I had no idea Islington had it on their menu. How is it there?

[nhbubba]

I've actually never had it. I can't remember what I did have last time I was there. (It was good.) I was looking at the menu and noticed bibimbap. It is a really wild menu.

[ZX-12R]

Well that just got added to my short list of places to visit the next time my wife and I spend an evening in Portsmouth.

[SVRACER01]

Theres a great burger joint in portsmouth called Lexies. Its on Islington st

[gumby]

If you enjoy craft beer
-Portsmouth Brewery
-Thirsty Moose (100+ beers on tap)

Wife and I were in Portsmouth over the weekend and checked out Thirsty Moose- per her suggestion
Tasty brick oven pizza and huge selection of craft beers on tap. Another visit is in order!

[ZX-12R]

A good place to end the night is Popovers for a coffee and dessert. The last time I was there they had Bananas Foster as a special which was simply outstanding. It's right across the street from the Thirsty Moose.

[stoinkythepig]

A good place to end the night is Popovers for a coffee and dessert. The last time I was there they had Bananas Foster as a special which was simply outstanding. It's right across the street from the Thirsty Moose.

My youngest daughter works at the Epping Popovers. Wife and I eat there all the time. Great food. Love their Indian pudding for dessert. They make a good Bloody Mary too.

[Garandman]

Used to live in Portsmouth, many fond memories.

Strawberry Banke is quite interesting, old homes restored with period tools and methods.

The USS Albacore is an on land museum.

From Prescott Park you have a really good view of the Navy Yard and any of the subs being worked on.

Take Pleasant St out to Newcastle, you will see the old Naval prison and there is a small beach right next to the Coast Guard station.

The John Paul Jones house is on State St.

My favorite place is the Spring Hill Tavern, the bar below the Dolphin Striker on Ceres St. The Dolphin Striker is nicknamed by locals as the "Flounder Pounder."

I used to buy stuff at the original Gilley's trailer from the original Gilley, now it's a place.