quick trip to new hampshire
Mar 25th, 2010 | 04:46 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2009
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quick trip to new hampshire
We are flying in to new hampshire on april 8th and leaving the 12th for a little family thing. we have rental car booked, now we need some places to see . We will stay in portsmouth or manchester. Any suggestions? I would like to see some lighthouses, small towns, etc. We like eating at local places. Any ideas would be welcome!!
Mar 25th, 2010 | 05:09 PM
#2
Joined: Sep 2008
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Your best bet for seeing lighthouses will be to drive over to Maine. There are several in and around Portland, which is not far from Portsmouth, as well as along the coast between the two cities.
http://www.visitmaine.com/lighthouse/portland/
http://www.visitmaine.com/lighthouse/beaches/
There is also a lighthouse in Portsmouth: http://www.lighthouse.cc/portsmouth/
http://www.visitmaine.com/lighthouse/portland/
http://www.visitmaine.com/lighthouse/beaches/
There is also a lighthouse in Portsmouth: http://www.lighthouse.cc/portsmouth/
Mar 25th, 2010 | 06:00 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2008
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Unfortunately, you're here too early for Strawberry Banke or any of the other historic Portsmouth NH sights. The submarine USS Albacore is open Thursday-Monday this time of year for tours.
You're also a little too early for several other area attractions, sorry to report. But there's a modest sized and very nice art museum in Portland, ME as well as the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH, as well as the state capitol building and Museum of New Hampshire History in Concord.
Portsmouth has several excellent places to eat. I especially liked Pesce Blue (Italian, seafood specialty), the Black Trumpet (New American), Friendly Toast (breakfast), Popovers (bakery/coffee), and Gilley's (diner burgers and dogs).
You're also a little too early for several other area attractions, sorry to report. But there's a modest sized and very nice art museum in Portland, ME as well as the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH, as well as the state capitol building and Museum of New Hampshire History in Concord.
Portsmouth has several excellent places to eat. I especially liked Pesce Blue (Italian, seafood specialty), the Black Trumpet (New American), Friendly Toast (breakfast), Popovers (bakery/coffee), and Gilley's (diner burgers and dogs).
Mar 26th, 2010 | 03:39 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
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Manchester has a variety of restaurants including different ethnic cuisines, many of which are small, local places. Portsmouth has a great reputation for restaurants but not as many ethnic places.
The quickest way to Portsmouth from MHT is Rt 101 but it is a boring, limited access hwy. You might consider getting off 101 and plot a meandering route thru places like Exeter. Sorry, I live here and have just driven around without paying attention to routes. I keep a decent road map in the car. But if you drive up to Concord, you can take Rt 4 to Portsmouth which goes thru small towns. Speed limit is 50mph except in the town areas. Keep in mind that because of traffic esp in the Northwood area of antique shops, accidents can happen. We've driven this route for years in all seasons, sometimes pulling a camper and have never had a problem but some Fodorites who took my advice for the scenic route thought the traffic was horrible. I would avoid it during commuting hours. The reason I like this route is that you can drive thru Durham, home to the University of NH (you would have to get off the bypass) and then thru some real pretty countryside. As you get near Portsmouth, you get on Rt 16 which goes over the Great Bay bridges. In good weather you'll see boats. Then you get to the traffic circle and Rt 95. Maine is just north on Rt 95. You could also make a short detour to Flag Hill Winery and Distillery for a wine tasting.
Portsmouth has some lovely areas for scenic drives. My favorite is Rt 1B from Strawbery Banke thru Newcastle and past the beautifully restored Wentworth hotel. Also drive thru Rye along the coast. When you go north from Portsmouth on Rt 1 it will take you thru outlet congestion in Kittery BUT if you follow signs for Kittery Point you will go past the Navy yard and some pretty residential areas along the river. There is also a back country route you can take to get to York. The Nubble lighthouse is famous and you will probably enjoy walking the beach if weather is good.
Unfortunately, a great event, the Portsmouth Kitchen Tour is April 12 on the day you have to leave. Downtown Portsmouth is great for windowshopping. Manchester is not. Also, it's too early for boat cruises.
There's a free weekly guide to events in Manchester/Concord/Nashua/ and Portsmouth called Hippo Press. Some grocery stores have it with their free newspapers. You should also find it in a newspaper box on Concord's Main Street and next to the Post Office. Not sure where you can find it in Manchester but it shouldn't be hard.
Last weekend the weather was fantastic and warm (in Boston we saw many people flying kites at a park) but now we're back to normal seasonal and chilly. Some of the trees, like willows may be starting to leaf out by the time you get here. Daffodils are just starting to bloom. Maples have red buds.
The quickest way to Portsmouth from MHT is Rt 101 but it is a boring, limited access hwy. You might consider getting off 101 and plot a meandering route thru places like Exeter. Sorry, I live here and have just driven around without paying attention to routes. I keep a decent road map in the car. But if you drive up to Concord, you can take Rt 4 to Portsmouth which goes thru small towns. Speed limit is 50mph except in the town areas. Keep in mind that because of traffic esp in the Northwood area of antique shops, accidents can happen. We've driven this route for years in all seasons, sometimes pulling a camper and have never had a problem but some Fodorites who took my advice for the scenic route thought the traffic was horrible. I would avoid it during commuting hours. The reason I like this route is that you can drive thru Durham, home to the University of NH (you would have to get off the bypass) and then thru some real pretty countryside. As you get near Portsmouth, you get on Rt 16 which goes over the Great Bay bridges. In good weather you'll see boats. Then you get to the traffic circle and Rt 95. Maine is just north on Rt 95. You could also make a short detour to Flag Hill Winery and Distillery for a wine tasting.
Portsmouth has some lovely areas for scenic drives. My favorite is Rt 1B from Strawbery Banke thru Newcastle and past the beautifully restored Wentworth hotel. Also drive thru Rye along the coast. When you go north from Portsmouth on Rt 1 it will take you thru outlet congestion in Kittery BUT if you follow signs for Kittery Point you will go past the Navy yard and some pretty residential areas along the river. There is also a back country route you can take to get to York. The Nubble lighthouse is famous and you will probably enjoy walking the beach if weather is good.
Unfortunately, a great event, the Portsmouth Kitchen Tour is April 12 on the day you have to leave. Downtown Portsmouth is great for windowshopping. Manchester is not. Also, it's too early for boat cruises.
There's a free weekly guide to events in Manchester/Concord/Nashua/ and Portsmouth called Hippo Press. Some grocery stores have it with their free newspapers. You should also find it in a newspaper box on Concord's Main Street and next to the Post Office. Not sure where you can find it in Manchester but it shouldn't be hard.
Last weekend the weather was fantastic and warm (in Boston we saw many people flying kites at a park) but now we're back to normal seasonal and chilly. Some of the trees, like willows may be starting to leaf out by the time you get here. Daffodils are just starting to bloom. Maples have red buds.
