This wonderful company boasts a high percentage rate for seeing whales, and they made it happen!…read moreThis is the way to do whale watching. The crew knows the areas where the whales feed, and when they see the spout or breach or any indication of whale activity, the boat can quickly go to them. You can't get that on a large whale watching boat packed with people. We were able to follow a pair of Humpback whales for an hour, and ended up seeing two additional ones on our tour. An added bonus was Boon island and the seals!

Great experience! Make sure to read the details of the meeting point ahead of time, since the bar…read moreaddressed suggested is several storefronts down from where you need to be. The email is helpful. The boat is comfortable and the crew did an amazing job of circling each point of interest both ways, and making sure folks on the "good" side stayed seated so everyone could see at all times. The speed of the boat is amazing. Really a fun experience. You will be reminded to tip MANY times, just FYI.

The Button Factory Studios are a collection of artist studios about 1/2 mile from downtown…read morePortsmouth. It's not the only mill building to be converted into artist's studios, but I think they've done the best job. More than any other similar building, when I'm walking through the halls of this place I just want to chuck it all and pretend that I can paint. Or draw. Or make furniture. Or maybe jewelry. You get the idea. Just being around all of the creativity in this building (actually several buildings) is habit forming and I want to be a part of it. Every year they have a weekend called Open Studios. Many of the artists open their studios to the public and other artists rent space in the hallways, and they'd all be happy to sell you whatever they've made. Since this is during the holidays and it's in a fairly artsy community, it's popular. Parking is horrible, it's hot inside, and you won't get anywhere in a hurry because of the crowds, but the stuff you'll see is amazing. I have no idea what the day to day issues of working in this space are. I don't know if the owner keeps on top of things, I don't know who pays the heat or picks up the trash. All I know is that this space is one of the coolest and most creative spots in a very cool and creative city, and there's a waiting list to get in so having a studio here is probably a terrific thing.

Nothing brings me more joy than being able to see what other loyal art laborers have for exhibit…read more The old button factory has since been converted into a labyrinth of artist studios (inspiration, color, and life around each corner). Once a year, the artists open their studios and exhibit their work to the public... ~~OPEN STUDIOS is usually the first weekend of December (2011: DECEMBER 3 and 4, 2011 OPEN STUDIOS! 11-5pm!!!) admission fee 0$~~ *Several of the artists offer classes (painting, sculpting, quilting, etc). *My favorite studios to visit: Emma Ashby (an increeedible wax artist - her work breaths life and brightness), Erin A. Ellis (an aspiring childrens book illustrator who has created this adorable creature: the chubbikin), Jen Murray (wonderfully talented photographer - - - great to keep in mind for wedding planning couples, or collectors of unique prints), Sarah Minor (painter of canvas floor cloths), and Roger Goldenberg (crazy awesome, 3-dimensional paintings!). *For SALE??!!! Yes, some works are a bit...costly, but these are pieces which will last a lifetime (and then another...and another). Spread the love, invest in art! Just when the holidays are shifting into fourth gear, it's a wonderful way to spend an early-December morning. Great (brilliant!) people, a unique space, and (of course) enough artistic eye candy to light your own wee inspiration candle.

What a pleasant little place! Bartender is sweet and attentive. They have popcorn , but otherwise…read morebring your own food. THC beverages to bring home. Both alcohol and non alcoholic beverages so many choices! Inside and outside seating. A couple low tables and mostly bar height tall tables. Dog friendly inside and outside seating! Quite pleased with our little stop!

Very nice micro brewery. Solid beer. Excellent customer service. Would recommend if you're in the…read morearea.

Strawberry Banke Museum was wonderful place to spend a few hours. There was a charge of $25 for…read moreadults. It's a self guided tour of original homes in area. The museum shows how the people lived from the late 1600's to mid 1940's. Set in the puddle dock neighborhood. A strawberry Banke Museum site is the earliest European settled neighborhood In Portsmouth. Many of the homes had people in them explaining who lived in the home and what they did for a living. They do have several events so check their calendar.

Great visit. Every employee was a pleasure to talk to. The gift shop has a nice selection. The…read morelittle cafe on site has snacks and cold beverages. This was an actual neighborhood saved from demolititon. Each home is set up for a specific period in time up to the 1950's. I really enjoyed the WWII grocery store. The docent there had lots of very interesting information about grocery shopping during wartime. All together a good experience we would repeat. We left midway through to have lunch nearby and returned to complete the circuit. One of the houses is in an unrestored condition. A blacksmith was on hand during our visit too in his workshop. Private dirt parking lot, clean public restrooms in two locations. Most buildings are not ADA accessible if I remember correctly due to their age, but some are ground level entrance. Pathways throughout are wide, compact dirt or gravel.

Odiorne Point State Park is a public recreation area that opened in Rye, New Hampshire in July…read more1972. It is administered by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. The park is located along the Atlantic seacoast in Rye, not far from Portsmouth. The area is the site of the Pannaway Plantation: the first European settlement in New Hampshire. Settled in 1622, the plantation was completely abandoned by the 1630s when the settlers moved to nearby Strawberry Banke. The land was settled in the mid-1660s by the Odiorne Family, whom the park is now named after. From 1942 to 1947, the park was the home of Fort Dearborn. The ruins of the deactivated World War II-era fort can still be seen today. Today the park is home to hiking trails, bike paths, a playground, picnic areas, pavilions, and a Seacoast Science Center which opened in 1992. My family and I visited Odiorne Point State Park this summer while we were heading to Maine for a summer getaway. We had some time to kill before we could check in to our AirBnb, so we decided to stop at the park. We had fun exploring the grounds and my two sons especially enjoyed playing on the nautical-themed playground. The highlight of the park is the Seacoast Science Center. There are all sorts of exhibits devoted to the conservation of marine and coastal environments. My two sons loved learning about whales, local shellfish populations, the local fishing industry, the fight against ocean pollution, and underwater exploration. There was even a cool gift shop where we picked up a few things. Whether you live in the area or you're just passing through like us, Odiorne Point State Park is a fun place for the whole family!

Before our visit to the science center I wondered if it would be a good fit for the ages of 6-12,…read morebut it was. in fact, this is a place for anyone over the age of one. Everyone learned a great deal and had a fun time. We loved that it was self guided. The staff is great. The gift shop has a wide variety of affordable items. I wish it had not been raining because we could have spent the entire day at the state park. There is also a great playground.

They're super rude if you want to go "off book" and not use a stencil. I love what I made (even…read morethough the wood quality isn't great), but not the running commentary and side-eye I got from the staff while I made it.

Crystal was sooo helpful! Made this task of a sign/tray/piece of art truly perfect and fun! We went…read morewith a group of 5, had our own table and felt super comfortable even while being covid conscious! Loved how everything came out and had so much fun dancing around with the amazing sound track and BYOB!

Players Ring is an intimate local theater between Prescott Park and historic Strawberry Banke in…read morePortsmouth NH, providing high level performances of some "old favorites" and many newer productions with creative stagecraft. All is good.

Just saw a play (The Wasp) here last night and was blown away! The production was absolutely as…read moresolid as plays I've seen at Lincoln Center; The Huntington; ART, etc. The actors were both excellent--it seemed like they really were the 2 characters/roles they were playing! My goodness, what a powerful, thought-provoking piece. My mom and I were still talking about and analyzing the play hours later. Meanwhile, the 2 theater staff people who checked us in were beyond friendly and accommodating. My mom uses a cane and has unsteady gait, and they assured us they'd find us easily accessible seats and they did (we were nervous going in because it was open seating and we arrived just 5 mins before curtain went up--we didn't realize was open seating until looking at the ticket reservation while driving over). I suppose places have to be accommodating because of ADA law, but there's no law requiring them to be warm & kind about it

This memorial is great for the price and truly shows how submariners lived and functioned in this…read morewonderfully sub.

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.

What an awesome little studio! There's a ton of unique and interesting pottery, really friendly…read morepeople, and a really friendly little dog who like to have her back scratched. You can't help but feel like you're home when you're here.

I love this little studio. I love that you can see the workspace as well as the gallery space. I…read morelove that there's NPR playing in the background when I go in, and I love that the owner recognized me from one visit to the next a couple months later. I'm always able to find a unique, original piece to give as a housewarming gift or other small present for someone. Plus, the resident dog is small and cute and makes me happy. Hooray for local businesses.

Intimate venue to catch a great show. Seats a bit dated and as others have mentioned a warmer venue…read morefor a show which is not uncommon for older venues, dress accordingly. The staff is very friendly and there is a good selection from the bar to enjoy while watching a show here. Orchestra seating as well as balcony available. There is metered parking on street or paid parking lots to utilize a short walk from the.venue. Would catch another show here, not a bad seat view in the house!

What a great little theater. While visiting town I wandered by the hall and noticed they had a free…read moreshowing of Shuffle, a really good documentary, later that evening. I was able to get my ticket online. When I showed up for the film, I was surprised to learn that building opened in 1878 and still has so much character. The theater is beautiful and even the lobby and restrooms are unique. All of the staff was helpful and friendly as well. It holds about 900 people, so I imagine it'd be great for a concert as well. I sat 10th row, center and had a perfect view of the screen. The sound was solid as well, but don't expect IMAX or anything like that. I'm glad I popped in. I don't know if I'll ever be in Portsmouth again but if I am, I'd happily stop in again for a show or film.