Staying in Dover to visit Portsmouth, NH?
Jun 12th, 2008, 09:37 PM
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Staying in Dover to visit Portsmouth, NH?
We will be visiting Portsmouth, NH for 3 days en route to a week in Acadia in mid-September with our 1 1/2 year old. We're finding suite-style accommodations pricey or already unavailable in the Portsmouth area (booked at Anchorage Inn as backup, but for some reason very leery...)
We have found good rates in what seems to be perfect accommodations in (nearby?) Dover, NH. Wondering if this is an appropriately close place to have our "base camp" as we do 2-3 days in Portsmouth - will there be traffic problems getting back and forth, parking problems, too far, etc etc?
Any advice from locals or prior visitors appreciated!
We have found good rates in what seems to be perfect accommodations in (nearby?) Dover, NH. Wondering if this is an appropriately close place to have our "base camp" as we do 2-3 days in Portsmouth - will there be traffic problems getting back and forth, parking problems, too far, etc etc?
Any advice from locals or prior visitors appreciated!
Jun 13th, 2008, 02:41 AM
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Dover has improved over the years with some better restaurants. You'll probably have commuter traffic on Rt 16. Dover isn't too bad for access to the first bit of Maine i.e. York. Get a detailed road map. From Concord NH to York ME we usually go thru Dover since it's not necessary to go all the way to Portsmouth and then north to Maine.
On another post I recommended the Hampshire Hotel in Seabrook which has mini suites. I haven't stayed there in several years but a club I belong to holds weekend seminars there. It's 18 miles south of Portsmouth right off Rt 95. However there's a toll booth in between so it's better to travel via Rt 1. Dover might be closer and is certainly handier to Maine. There is a parking garage in downtown Portsmouth which is handy to the docks as well as downtown area. We have also parked at Prescott Park which is opposite Strawbery Banke. I don't recall any parking meters there. Park is very lovely and right on the water.
On another post I recommended the Hampshire Hotel in Seabrook which has mini suites. I haven't stayed there in several years but a club I belong to holds weekend seminars there. It's 18 miles south of Portsmouth right off Rt 95. However there's a toll booth in between so it's better to travel via Rt 1. Dover might be closer and is certainly handier to Maine. There is a parking garage in downtown Portsmouth which is handy to the docks as well as downtown area. We have also parked at Prescott Park which is opposite Strawbery Banke. I don't recall any parking meters there. Park is very lovely and right on the water.
Jun 13th, 2008, 05:21 AM
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Dover will be fine. Just don't attempt to drive back to Dover during the rush hour.
That being said, the Anchorage is a good option, I'm from Portsmouth so I've never stayed there but the location is fine and I've never heard anything negative about it.
That being said, the Anchorage is a good option, I'm from Portsmouth so I've never stayed there but the location is fine and I've never heard anything negative about it.
Jun 13th, 2008, 11:22 AM
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OK, so we've booked both Comfort Inn Suites in Dover ("Executive King Suite") and Anchorage Inn (normal suite) in Portsmouth - we plan on spending the bulk of our time in Portsmouth - anybody have a preference?
Jun 13th, 2008, 12:07 PM
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I know nothing about either place, but vote for Portsmouth if that is your main goal. I see that hotel all the time and it would be way more convenient a location for a base. It is minutes to downtown Portsmouth, and very convenient to Maine too. My nephew lives in Dover and I have been through there to go to Rochester and it has been quite busy traffic wise.
Jun 25th, 2008, 03:40 PM
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Stay in Portsmouth and save the hassle of driving to and from Dover (your 1 1/2 year old will thank you too!). Portsmouth is lovely, enjoy it.
While Dover isn't that far, traffic can be heavy during rush hours.
While Dover isn't that far, traffic can be heavy during rush hours.
Jun 26th, 2008, 04:56 AM
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We just arrived home from a 10 day NE trip and two of those nights were in New Hampshire. I vote nighly for Sheraton Harborside in Portsmouth and Wentworth-by-the-Sea in New Castle (one town over). A little pricey but more bang for your buck. Sheraton is right in town and you can walk to everything. Town in pricey though! I have a 4 1.2 yr old and my duahgter loved the amenities at the Wentworth much more! But you have to go with what your budget allows.
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