Portsmouth

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Welcome to Portsmouth, New Hampshire

THINGS TO SEE
PLACES TO EAT
PLACES TO STAY
WHERE TO DOCK

View of Portsmouth Harbor. Photo courtesy NHDTTD/Holly Fraumeni

PORTSMOUTH WAS SETTLED IN 1630 AND CLAIMS TO BE THE COUNTRY’S THIRD OLDEST CITY. PORTSMOUTH QUICKLY GREW INTO A SIGNIFICANT TRADE PORT DUE TO ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION AT THE MOUTH OF THE PISCATAQUA RIVER. THE CITY DECLINED IN THE EARLY 1800S DURING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, WHICH SAW WEALTH AND GROWTH MOVE INLAND TO THE MILLTOWNS. IN RESPONSE, FOUNDRIES, MACHINE SHOPS, TEXTILE MILLS AND BREWERIES SPRUNG UP IN THE CITY.


Portsmouth Harbor Chart

The Naval Shipyard, founded in 1800 by Congress, became the area’s largest employer, and eventually expanded to meet 20th-century wartime needs. Portsmouth again fell on hard times in the mid-20th century, when it was threatened by federal slum-clearance programs. Local groups rallied in response and began turning the city into the thriving cultural and tourist center it is today.

Satellite map of Portsmouth

Located on the southern bank of the Piscataqua River, which forms the border between Maine and New Hampshire, Portsmouth today is packed with restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, brewpubs and historic sites. Across the river is Kittery, Maine, which also teems with shops, restaurants and boating facilities.

Read the story Portsmouth Fishing Information

Portsmouth Light stands watch over the harbor entrance. Photo courtesy NHDTTD/ Kristin Burchsted

For boaters, the city offers quick access to the open ocean, great fishing and a river filled with wonderful places to explore in a skiff, canoe or kayak (Little Harbor and Great Bay being 2 of them). Portsmouth is also a great jumping-off spot for daytrips to the Isles of Shoals, just 6 miles off the coast, or other ports in southern Maine and New Hampshire. Portsmouth has over 4 marinas and an equal number of yacht clubs, plus a great municipal dock at Prescott Park that offers 26 transient slips for stays of up to 3 nights. There are also some good spots to anchor inside the river, as long as you take into account the strong current.


The excursion boat “Isles of Shoals” runs trips from its berth on Market Street, just below the Memorial Bridge.
Photo by David Liscio

It should be noted that the river and harbor are extremely busy, filled with every conceivable type of vessel, from huge tankers to ferry boats to classic gundalows and the occasional submarine heading for the Naval Shipyard on Seavey Island. All this activity, plus the river’s considerable current (3 to 5 knots average and up to 10 knots in some spots on peak tides), demand a watchful eye. If new to the area, consider timing your arrival around slack tide.

Wallis Sands Beach lies just south of Portsmouth. Photo courtesy NHDTTD/ Kristin Burchsted

The mouth of Portsmouth Harbor is guarded by 48-foot-tall Portsmouth Light, which was built in 1877 and sits on the northeast tip of New Castle Island. The light is located next to Fort Constitution (1 of 7 forts built to protect Portsmouth Harbor) and a Coast Guard Station.

Boaters who wish to venture farther upriver all the way to Great Bay must pass below 4 bridges. The first is the Memorial Bridge (Rte. 1), a lift bridge that was rebuilt in 2012. The second bridge is the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge (Rt. 1 Bypass), another lift bridge with a closed vertical clearance of 8 feet. The third bridge is the Piscataqua River Bridge (Interstate 95), which has a vertical clearance of 134 feet. The fourth bridge is the General Sullivan Bridge, which has a vertical clearance of 45 feet.

GETTING THERE:

Charts: NOAA 13283, 13285, 13274SC, 13278, 13286

When approaching the mouth of the Piscataqua River, use caution, as the current is very strong and the channel is plied by a large number of commercial ships and recreational boats. If new to the area, you may want to time your arrival to coincide with slack tide.

From the south and east, the approach is clear of obstructions as long as you keep at least a mile offshore to avoid rocks and ledges. Pick up the G “1” Fl G bell at Gunboat Shoal and head north to R “2KR” then proceed northwest to R “2”.

From the north, be careful to steer clear of the numerous ledges that extend offshore of White Island. You are safest by keeping well offshore and heading for R “2KR”, then proceeding northwest to R “2”.

Follow the well-marked channel approximately 3 nautical miles and you’ll come to the downtown Portsmouth area and Prescott Park Municipal Docks. If you wish to continue upriver to, be aware that there are 4 bridges between Portsmouth and Great Bay. The Memorial Bridge (Rte. 1) is a lift bridge with a closed vertical clearance of 21′  (MHW). The second bridge is the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge (Rt. 1 Bypass), another lift bridge with a closed vertical clearance of 8′. The third bridge is the Piscataqua River Bridge (Interstate 95), which has a vertical clearance of 134′. The fourth bridge is the General Sullivan Bridge, which has a vertical clearance of 45′.

Dockage, Moorings & Service

  • Prescott Park Municipal Dock

    (603-431-8748): Conveniently located in downtown Portsmouth.Can accommodate 22 boats up to 55′ with 5′ maximum draft. Hourly rates and overnight stays available. Reservations recommended. No fuel or credit cards. Dinghy dock available.

  • Marina at Harbor Place (603-436-0915): Transient slips on the north side of the Memorial Bridge, with quick access to downtown Portsmouth. Floating docks with 18’ MLW; 24-hour security, showers, laundry. No fuel.
  • Wentworth Marina and Resort (603-433-5050): Large, full-service marina, spa/resort, restaurant and golf course on New Castle Island and Little Harbor. Sells gas and diesel (see website for current prices). Pool, tennis courts, laundry, toilets, showers, ice, cable, WiFi, courtesy shuttle to downtown.
  • Great Bay Marine (603-436-5299): Full service marina on Great Bay with haulout, storage, repair, a launch ramp, transient slips and moorings. Sells gas and diesel.
  • Portsmouth Yacht Club (603-436-9877): Private club offering reciprocal privileges. Carries gas and diesel.
  • Kittery Point Yacht Club (603-436-9303): Private club offering reciprocal privileges.

Marinas & Service in Kittery, Maine

  • Badgers Island Marina (207-439-3810): Located on the east side of the Memorial Bridge, Badgers now includes Kittery Landing Marina and offers transient slips and easy access downtown Portsmouth.
  • Island Marine Service (207-439-3819)
  • Kittery Point Wharf (207-439-0912): Located on Pepperell Cove, next to Frisbee’s Supermarket. Offers transient moorings.

Anchorages

  • When anchoring in the Piscataqua, remember to account for the river’s swift currents and use appropriate ground tackle.
  • A well-protected anchorage in 8′ to 10′ of water with good holding ground is located in Pepperell Cove, on the south side of Kittery Point.
  • Many other good spots to anchor can be found upriver inside the Piscataqua and inside Great Bay.
  • A dinghy dock is located at Prescott Park (see above under “Dockage”).

Harbormaster

Launch Ramps

  • Pierce Island: Large ramp with ample parking on southern shore of Pierce Island. Good deep-water access to the harbor. Fee required. Strong currents can make launching a challenge.
  • A small launch ramp on the harbor is located on Kittery Point, in Maine, behind Frisbee’s Supermarket. No onsite trailer parking.
  • Another Piscataqua River boat ramp is located along Route 103, at Traip Academy on Williams Avenue. This ramp is paved and features limited parking.

Boat & Kayak Rental

Provisions

  • Cabot Street Market, Portsmouth (603-436-0028 )
  • Hannaford’s Supermarket, Portsmouth (603-436-6669)
  • Frisbee’s Supermarket (207-439-0014): On Pepperell Cove, on the Kittery side of the river, Frisbee’s is the oldest family store in America, and sells basic groceries, beer and wine. It also offers convenient dockage for patrons.

Where to Eat

Things to See & Do

  • Strawbery Banke Museum (603-433-1100): If you’re interested in American history, you owe yourself a trip to Strawbery Banke Museum. Through its restored houses, exhibits, historic landscapes and gardens and interpretive programs, Strawbery Banke tells the stories of the many generations who settled in the Portsmouth from the late l7th to the mid-20th century, and the many changes the city has seen.
  • The Portsmouth Center (603-436-8433): Housed in the former city library, the Portsmouth Center is a gateway to the historical, cultural and artistic venues of greater Portsmouth. It also serves as an exhibition site for showcasing the art and history of the region. The building includes large information panels on each of Portsmouth’s historic houses, museums, landmarks and performance venues. The side galleries are filled with rotating exhibits, and the center’s theater hosts continuous showings of “Welcome to Historic Portsmouth,” a film on Portsmouth’s 400-year history.
  • Prescott Park: Located at the edge of the Piscataqua River and across from Strawbery Banke Museum, Prescott Park was donated to the city of Portsmouth around the turn of the century by two sisters, Josie and Sarah Prescott. The popular waterfront park features extensive flower gardens, including large demonstration beds where many varieties of flowers are shown each summer. The park also is the site of one of New England’s most popular outdoor summer events, the Prescott Park Arts Festival, which during July and part of August presents a musical and dozens of performances by musicians and theater groups. Since 1974 the festival has drawn more than millions visitors for productions from “Annie” to “The Wizard of Oz.”
  • Fort Constitution Historic Site: One of 7 forts built to protect Portsmouth, Fort Constitution on New Castle Island is a National Historic Site and is open to the public.
  • USS Albacore Center (603-436-3680): Built in Portsmouth in 1953, the USS Albacore served as the prototype for today’s modern submarine fleet. The center offers year-round guided tours of the most advanced U.S. Navy submarine built before the atomic era.
  • The Music Hall (603-436-2400): This 900-seat theater is the oldest in New Hampshire and presents live performances of music, theater and dance interspersed with films. Saved from destruction in the 1980s, The Music Hall is considered a cultural bastion of Portsmouth and the Seacoast.
  • Portsmouth Harbor Trail: Whether you opt for a guided tour of Portsmouth or do it on your own, this handy guide will give you all the info you need to appreciate the city’s numerous historic sights.
  • Portsmouth Harbor Cruises (800-776-0915): Offers tours of Portsmouth Harbor aboard a vintage 60-foot Deltaville Deadrise.
  • Isles of Shoals Steamship Company (603-431-5500): Offers cruises to the Isles of Shoals and tours of Portsmouth Harbor, as well as weddings and educational field trips.
  • Portsmouth Kayak Adventures (603-559-1000): Located in downtown Portsmouth, PKA offers guided kayak trips of the Piscataqua and other local waterways, as well as kayak rentals.
  • Seacoast Science Center (603-436-8043): Located at Odiorne State Park, just south of Portsmouth, the center features interesting, educational exhibits and programs relating to the marine world of the Northeast. The center and its staff, “strive to provide exceptional learning experiences in the natural sciences through dynamic and innovative programs and exhibits,” which include everything from outdoor concerts to nature walks to summer camps. The center is open 7 days a week, 10:00 a.m.-5:0 p.m., April 1-October 31. Winter hours are Saturday through Monday, and on most NH/ME/MA school vacation days._Admission: $4 for ages 13 through adult; $2 for children 3 to 12. Kids 3 and under free.
  • Odiorne Point State Park (603-436-1552): Comprising 330 acres of coastal land laced by wooded trails and bounded by a rocky shoreline, Odiorne Park features picnic facilities, a launch ramp for small boats and kayaks, biking and hiking trails and even old WW II sub-spotting bunkers. Admission is $4 for adults; $2 for children ages 2 to 11.

Where to Stay

General Information

  • Portsmouthnh.com is an excellent source of local information, including a virtual harbor tour.
  • The Portsmouth Center (603) 436-8433): A gateway to the city’s many cultural and historic venues.

Photo Gallery

Visitors to Portsmouth will see their share of tugs. Photo courtesy NHDTTD/Jack Parker

Commercial boats in Portsmouth Harbor. Photo courtesy NHDTTD/Howard Williams#

A view of the old Portsmouth Naval Prison on Seavey Island. Photo courtesy NHDTTD/Holly Fraumeni

An islet off the causeway leading to New Castle Island bears the remains of old house. Photo courtesy NHDTTD/Holly Fraumeni

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Launch Ramps
Where to Stay
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Harbor Master and Harbor Info
Getting There
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HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

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978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

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18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests