We are planning a stay in Portsmouth, New Hampshire during the week after the Fourth of July this summer. Staying at the Port Inn outside the city and looking for some recommendations for attractions in this area. Hope the forum can help.

a day trip to Ogunquit Maine would be easy as long as you sneak around the highest-traffic hours since the beaches will be very busy that week. Get to Ogunquit early to find parking. VERY early. Take shore road south when you leave as there are a couple of nice rocky viewpoints on the way to Cape Neddick. York's Animal Kingdom is between Cape Neddick and Portsmouth if you have small kids with you. If not, Nubble Light is a nice stop for some photos and an ice cream cone....again if the traffic isn't too crazy.

Bow Lake would be another nice day drive. Berrybog Farm (blueberry picking) usually opens just after the 4th of July so check their hours as they should be updated sometime this week. Bow Lake Village is about a 40 min drive from Portsmouth and if this heat wave keeps up you may welcome some time in an air-conditioned car.

Thank you, clarkgriswold. Certainly a trip up the coast is doable as an early venture for the morning after arrival. I had completely forgotten that the Nubble was that close, never having visited Portsmouth before. We will try for Ogunquit as well, time permitting, as a trip inland to Dover is planned, as well. Do you know anything about the Isle of Shoals off the coast? We have signed up for a cruise there on the evening of the second day.

It has been a few years since we did an Isle of Shoals tour. It was interesting but we got a little tired with all the walking. Also love the inland rivers cruise. Everytime we go it has been to the Great Bay area so some time we'll have to go on the one to Dover. Depends on the tides.
sometimes it's just nice to sit in a bag. Hair in Prescott Park. Favorite drive starts there on rt 1B thru New Castle and past the fabulous Wentworth Hotel. You can also drive the coastal route past the mansions in Rye. Best casual seafood restaurant is Petey's in Rye. Heading west via rt 16 from Portsmouth traffic circle to Durham you go by Wagon Hill Farm. If you like a good walk the trail leads down to the water and along the shoreline before going back to the parking area. Unless you do the walk you don't realize how close to the water the farm is. Conservation area now. There's a rest area and playground also in this area. Another good quiet spot to watch the water. I think it's called Hilton Park.

if you want to look at gardens there is Fuller Gardens. We had a fun cooking school dinner at Stone Wall Kitchens. They do it as a demo. Located in Kittery. Lots of free samples at When Pigs Fly bread in Kittery.

Thanks, dfrostnh. for the NH recommendations. The Prescott Park and New Castle seem to fit in with our limited schedule this time around. Thanks again