How to Spend One Day in Portsmouth

Being originally from South Carolina, I know embarrassingly little about New England. Now that I live in Boston, I’ve decided to change that and explore as much of the area as possible. I started with the lovely town of Portsmouth. For anyone who hasn’t visited yet, I put together an easy, one day in Portsmouth itinerary that highlights some of the best the city has to offer in just 24 hours.

24 Hours in Portsmouth

Is Portsmouth Worth Visiting?

Portsmouth is absolutely worth the trip especially if you live nearby. Portsmouth is only a little over an hour drive from Boston which makes it an easy day trip. Even if you have to travel a little further, I still think it’s worth the visit!

Know Before You Go

It’s best to make any food reservations in advance. There are plenty of parking spots in the city and parking is fairly reasonable. We parked in a garage for $1/hour. You’ll be walking a bit in this itinerary so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Things to do in One Day in Portsmouth

Morning

Start your drive to Portsmouth early enough to make it there by lunchtime

Afternoon

Your first stop in Portsmouth will be for a delicious lunch. We ate at The Green Elephant, an asian-inspired vegetarian restaurant and truly fell in love. The service was attentive, the food delectable, and the portions were just the right size. If you’re not feeling Asian food, check out The Flatbread Company for some tasty wood-fired pizza.

After your tasty lunch, get a caffeine fix at Caffe Kilim. This Turkish coffee shop is both eclectic and unassuming. Their coffee is super reasonably priced and their homemade baklava is to die for.

Now it’s time to head to Prescott Park. This waterfront park is the perfect place to grab some photos and stroll through the gardens. Bonus, it’s completely free.

Next it is time to walk around and explore the adorable downtown area. There are a plethora of shops that dot the main street. There is no sales tax in New Hampshire so don’t hold back. Two of my favorite shops I popped into were Off Piste and Pickwick’s Mercantile but they truly are all worth a stop.

If you need a pick me up while you shop, stop at Elephantine Bakery for a tasty treat.

Early Evening

It’s time to try some local beer at Great Rhythm Brewery. While there are a couple of breweries right in downtown, we opted to try one a little further out. It’s about a 20-25 min walk but is definitely worth it. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a few brews.

Evening

Your day in Portsmouth is sadly coming to an end but trust me, this last stop is the best one yet. Head to dinner at Black Trumpet and be prepared to have a phenomenal dinner. This intimate restaurant changes both their food menu and cocktail menu seasonally. Grab a few plates to share a cocktail or a glass of wine and enjoy the end of an awesome 24 hours in Portsmouth.