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Portsmouth,
NH, is a charming coastal New England city
Article
by Eric H.
Photographer: NHDTTD/Morang
From a distance,
the majestic church steeple rising above a sleepy looking, small
New England town belies the vibrancy of this New Hampshire  seacost city. While
Portsmouth does have the leanings of a small town, it also has
a city feel, minus the traffic, and high crime. Market Square
is of particular interest. Locally owned shops, great restaurants
with a water view, narrow streets, tree-lined streets with fine
old homes and an overflow of eclectic University of New Hampshire
students make this section seem like a miniature version of Boston.
For starters, check out the historical Strawbery Banke Museum,
a 10-acre historic waterfront neighborhood, with homes dating
back to 1650. Although modern amenities beckon around the corner
in Market Square, Strawberry Banke takes you out of the modern
era and into another period of time. Across the street is Prescott
Park, with its scenic waterfront, spectacular flower displays
and diverse music performances. It's also a great place to sit
on a bench and people watch. For great food, try the Stockpot,
on Bow Street, with its scenic indoor and outdoor waterfront
dining, a great lunch menu and some excellent light dinners.
It is a great place to take the family, (the downstairs section,
not the smoky upstairs bar). For the younger crowd, bars and
trendy eateries line the waterfront, while older crowds will
enjoy restaurants like the Oar House, which serves fine, traditional
steak and seafood dishes. The great news is once the day is done
and you leave the parking garage, your wallet will only be a
few dollars lighter--compare that to the $20-plus parking fees
in some parts of Boston. Whether single, married, young or old,
Portsmouth makes for a great day, filled with fun, a sense of
history and a great mix of the old and new. A day trip is great,
and if you decide to stay longer, plenty of bed and breakfasts,
inn and motels await you. There's even a Sheraton Hotel, just
a minute's walk to Market Square and five minutes to Strawbery
Banke. All in all, Portsmouth is a great representation of New
England, perfect for those who are looking for a great introduction
to the region.
Visit the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce
for more information
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