this light sits behind the coast guard station in portsmouth harbor and is thoroughly inaccessible…read moresince the plannedemic according to the goat keepers which kind of detracts from the whole "let's go see some historic lighthouses" experience but slightly enhances the "we're already here so let's go have a look" and "do you think the coast guard is hiding something back there?" aspects of the trip so it's almost a push. original tower erected in 1771 was the first light north of bean-town; the current forty-eight foot tower was built in 1878, the focal plane for the fixed green light is 52' up and visible for 12 nautical miles give or take... automated in 1960 the light is still in use and the coast guard still holds title but the 'merican lighthouse foundation holds license since 2000 with the local chapter acting as stewards and fixing whatever needs it. the light is supposedly open to the public a few days each year but not right now because of storm damage and the impending change of seasons.

With Fort Constitution closed, all opportunities to visit the lighthouse are null. You can see…read moreanother lighthouse at the distance, in an island and maybe available with a boat, but the Portsmouth Harbor lighthouse is not available. You can walk around, go into street that lead to the area, but the lighthouse is not visible from the street unless you go further. Basically, skip until the fort is open again.

The Wiggly Bridge is a narrow pedestrian suspension bridge that stands in York, Maine. Located just…read moreoff of Maine State Route 103 (Lilac Lane), the 75-foot-long bridge crosses the tidal flow from Barrel Mill Pond to the York River. Built in the 1930s, it is believed to be the smallest suspension bridge in the United States. The bridge provides access to the Steedman Woods Nature Preserve and is a popular feature of the Fisherman's Walk trail. Originally known as the "Barrel Bridge", local lore claims that it earned its current name from a perceptive group of Girl Scouts who noted the bridge's "wiggly" nature. When walked upon, the deck bounces and flexes, banging back and forth in the anchorages. Many native southern Mainers can share their own childhood memories of leaping over the edge into the water and being pushed underneath with the current, one way or the other depending on the tide. This practice, as well as clam digging and any other possibly damaging activity, is now discouraged due to the erosion of mudflats. The Wiggly Bridge stands out as an iconic landmark and a must-visit destination for anyone looking to immerse themselves in York, Maine's unique charm and natural splendor. Steedman Woods is also a great place to visit. A nice stroll on the trails in this lush and tranquil forest offer scenic viewpoints and picturesque spots that showcase the breathtaking beauty of the Maine coast. Parking near the Wiggly Bridge is limited, so you may need to park on the side of Route 103 or in a nearby harbor lot, keeping in mind some spots may require a permit or have time restrictions. It is also possible to walk to the bridge from nearby York Village.

"Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle in your boots and shoes Wiggle,…read morewiggle, wiggle, you got nothing to lose" (Bob Dylan) Ever since I stumbled upon a Yelp listing for something as awesomely named as "The Wiggly Bridge", I knew I just had to make a visit happen one of these days. Pulling off that visit was difficult, because following the address we had put us in the middle of a residential neighborhood with "Permit Parking Only" signs galore. We parked off to the side, held our breath, crossed our fingers, and looked for the Bridge, which was nowhere to be found. Luckily, a gent was walking near us, and he directed us to a long circuitous walk down an elevated path, under the road, and across a marine walkway. As we walked and walked and walked, we finally caught sight of the big green spires that told us we had found the elusive Wiggly Bridge. The Wiggly Bridge is just 75 feet long, and I've seen a few sources claim it's the smallest suspension bridge in the world. And yes, we can confirm that when you walk across it, it most definitely bounces, wiggles, and flexes under your feet. I can also confirm that on a rainy day (like today), the Bridge should really be named "The Wiggly and Slippery Bridge", because it was slippery as hell.

Portsmouth did a great job at paying respects to the Black residents who were buried here. It is…read moresad the originally they did not, actually painful. In 2003, construction workers discovered the site while doing work on the street. They found the remains of Black Portsmouth residents. A 1705 map sited the cemetery but the site was paved over. By the 1800s houses were on the site and the cemetery was gone. A sewer line went through the coffins. The Black residents were buried in the same fashion as white residents at the time. Sadly they do not know who they are. To correct the disrespect, the city built the memorial park that is here today. If you have time, I highly recommend doing the Black Heritage Trail.

Portsmouth's recently opened African Burying Ground is an amazing combination of park, landmark,…read moreand cemetery. Back in 2003, the city was excavating a street and came across the buried remains of 13 people in what seemed to be a forgotten cemetery with the bodies buried at an unusually shallow depth. It was determined that the people died in the 1700s and DNA analysis showed them to be of African descent. The city spent years trying to discover who they were and why they were buried there. After years of fundraising and discussions, a really beautiful and moving tribute was built to replace the road that was Chestnut Street between State and Court Streets. Anyone interested in the history of early Portsmouth or the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail will want to make a point of visiting this monument.

A nice outing. The structures are still in good shape, lots of history here…read more Especially loved the map that shows where things are in front of you. Views of Constitution Light (NH) and Whaleback Light, which is actually just a short 10 minute drive away and we went to visit that after! Sign said they officially open Memorial day but the picnic area across the street was open.

Working through my Maine State Parks pass, we revisited Fort McClary around Memorial Day weekend…read more There were a couple of families using the picnic tables, some folks walking their dogs, but we were able to once again explore the grounds at our own pace (probably helped that it was kind of a cool and misty day)!  As I mentioned in my first review: they really did a wonderful job preserving the area. There's sweeping ocean (and, of course, lighthouse) views, spacious green lawns, a small hiking trail behind the parking lot (I think part of it might accidentally lead into someone's backyard!; one part brings you all the way to the entrance), and all the fun things kids/kids-at-heart can climb all over. From the canons to the bunker (you can go down inside it; be careful, it's wet!), the powder house to the enormous unfinished walls on the perimeter of the property, I'm impressed that people can still pretty much touch and be a part of everything! Lots of forts I grew up going to now have gates and fences and barriers up to prevent the public from walking on/too close to things for preservation purposes. Which, as I mentioned in my first review, I totally understand and respect, but I think there's something pretty cool about being able to immerse yourself in a site like this when you can get so close! We *still* weren't able to go inside the Blockhouse though! Next time!

A fun and interesting way to spend some time in Portsmouth. I visited town during off-season and…read morethis was one of the few tourist attractions still open. Touring the actual sub can be done in 20-30 min. If you're claustrophobic, the first couple areas are tight but it soon opens up. If you have mobility issues, it'll be tough to maneuver. This doesn't take away from my experience but something to consider for others. The attached museum/gift shop is nice and packs in a lot. It's a one time visit for me but glad I went.

This was an amazing experience!! We went on a whim and as someone who knows nothing about…read moresubmarines, I learned so much and it was super engaging. The self guided tour has little speakers with buttons along the way that tells you all about how the ship works and amazing stories from the crew! The inside museum was really cool as well!! There's a periscope inside that you can move around and look all around the area surrounding the building! A documentary about the ship plays on loop inside as well. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and they were excited to talk about the submarine! The prices are 1000% worth it and I would totally do this again if I was in the area. They have tons of memorabilia to look at and gifts to buy as well! We will be back!!

We had an incredible time on our bike tour with Donna. We did the 3 hr tour hitting every part of…read morePortsmouth. Our e-bikes worked great and were very comfortable. Donna was a true historian of the area and told us all about the history and prominent sites with her enthusiastic energy which made it truly interesting. Our ride was challenging enough to keep us active and moving while being totally doable. What a great way to see the area in a way that would be very difficult to do on your own as a visitor. I highly recommend it!

This was definitely a five star experience. We did the Island tour. Paul, the guide, was amazing…read more So knowledgeable. A true historian. We learned so much about the city. And the views were so beautiful. We rode along the water and into New Castle. It was a long ride but we made plenty of stops. I haven't been on a bike in ten years but was able to keep up. The tour was the highlight of our trip! Thanks, Port City!

A nice little museum but it really isn't John Paul Jones' house. The house depicts the history of…read morePortsmouth but JPJ simply stayed at the home but it was not his. The historical value is in the rehab and Portsmouth artifacts contained in the house. The exhibition on the Portsmouth Peace Treaty is really good, they should actually highlight that more than the JPJ side of it. The Museum shop is very small and not much to look at. Overall it is ok but I would rather spend my time on another stop.

If you're a history buff you will no doubt like this place. It's full of period pieces, great…read morestoryboards, historical charm and provides a great sense of what living here during the late 18th century would have been like. After having toured John Paul Jones' tomb at the Naval Academy in Annapolis and getting a great history lesson there from our tour guide, we were anxious to stop at this house during our recent visit to Portsmouth. Conveniently, it was right around the corner from our hotel! The house is run by the Portsmouth Historical Society who have done a great job re-establishing the home to its current state after what we learned were years of neglect. With volunteer help and amazing contributions of historical furniture and other items from committed supporters, the home really does bring you into the age of John Paul Jones. I didn't mind the $5 senior citizen admission charge knowing that it was going to support the upkeep and maintenance of such a historic place. The representative from the Historical Society provided an excellent narrative of the significance of the home and all that is contained therein. Very informative. Then we were free to wonder at our leisure. What was a surprise, however, was that this was really NOT John Paul Jones' house. Yes, he rented a room here on two occasions during the construction of war ships. I was under the mistaken impression that he owned this house. Turns out that he was just a boarder here. Nonetheless, you'll get a good overview of his life and the significance of the man known as the Father of the U.S. Navy.

Just can't resist a quickie to pop in and add Tuck-Leavitt Mill in Hampton. Maybe my Moulton…read moreancestors knew this place! This mill was rebuilt in 1897 by the same guy who built Hampton Casino in 1901. Old stones are used for the stairs and the water runs under the building with abandon. Where's the mandated safety?!

Certainly historic, rarely open . Go on a festival day like Cider Day…read more The inside is pry so the old construction is visible, but no furniture or decorations.9

This is a terrific visitor center. When my husband and I stopped in on a weekend trip to…read morePortsmouth, a volunteer immediately welcomed us, offered us a map, and gave us great suggestions for things to do in the off-season. Everyone we encountered at Discover Portsmouth was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. There's a 13-minute video introduction to Portsmouth's history that's well worth seeing, as well as a good local gift shop, but the real gem is the by donation art gallery in the building. When we visited, there was a lovely exhibit of works by early 20th century painter Gertrude Fiske, along wiith a companion exhibition called Sisters of the Brush and Palette and a gallery featuring contemporary local artists.

Great tour! As someone who studied history and loves history - as well as exploring new places, our…read moreguide Jeff Thomson was super informative and super engaging. Learned a ton and had a great time. Totally recommend!