what to do in Portsmouth, NH for one day?
 

will be in Portsmouth for one day, Columbus Day, attending a wedding the night before and staying over. We are 30 something and on a "mid-priced" budget. What is there to do/see? Any recommendations for breakfast, lunch and dinner? will probably leave around 8 pm to go home (Boston). I've never been to New Hampshire, except to drive through it! looking forward to it. thanks for the suggestions!

Portsmouth will be closed for columbus day. so after the wedding you might want to go home. (old folks in there third decade can not be trusted.)BUT if you want to have fun , it will happen because it is a happening place.

The Strawbery Banke Museum is one of Portsmouth's highlights (www.strawberybanke.org).

For breakfast, try the Friendly Toast (www.thefriendlytoast.net).

We enjoyed a Portsmouth Harbor Cruise last October.

www.portsmouthharbor.com

For breakfast we stopped at Popovers and had a nice meal.

I'd pick a cruise, too. Inland Rivers is also good. I think the river they choose depends on the tide. We went up into Great Bay seeing the area for the first time from the water after years of looking out Newick's windows. Interesting narration. If you park in the garage you can walk to the dock then have lunch someplace. If you want a lobster roll or fried seafood, head out rt 1B to the Ice House. Family casual place. If you like wine, you might consider driving out to Flag Hill Distillery and Winery in Lee NH. They also make Gen John Stark Vodka. You might just like to sit in Prescott Park for awhile and watch the water and people. (we carry bag chairs in the car) Window shop. Check schedule for any music or theater events.
I would expect lots of southbound traffic that day. If you want to avoid the toll booth, you can drive down Rt 1 and get on Rt 95 in Seabrook which is south of the toll.