Recently, I had the opportunity to take a staycation in the charming Portsmouth. It is a rare occasion that I get away and enjoy one of my most favorite towns but so glad I did! Whether you want to get away with your family, your partner, or by yourself here is a simple itinerary of the perfect staycation in Portsmouth.
Where to stay
There are lots of great accommodations in Portsmouth, so depending on what you are looking for in a stay you can find just about anything.
During my trip I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites right in the heart of Portwalk Place in downtown Portsmouth. A perfect location if you are looking to explore Portsmouth on foot because everything is walkable. My room was equipped with a kitchen area, king bed, and a pull-out sofa. A perfect setup for a family or solo trip! The hotel also has a gym, saltwater pool, and complimentary breakfast every morning.
Two other great hotel options are the Residence Inn Portsmouth Waterfront/Downtown and the AC Hotel Portsmouth. Both are right in downtown Portsmouth and play tourist on the Seacoast!
Where to eat
If you live on the Seacoast, you know that Portsmouth is FULL of delicious places to eat! Here are a few spots that I recommend you check out on your next staycation.
Rooftop at the Envio is an absolute must this summer! My husband and I were able to enjoy this Seacoast gem for dinner and I have been wanting to get back there ever since. First of all if you want the perfect view while you dine, this is it. It is located on the rooftop of the AC Hotel Portsmouth. It has both indoor and outdoor seating so if the weather isn’t great (like we’ve been experiencing all summer) you can still enjoy the waterfront views of the Piscataqua River. The food was delicious, too. I love that they have plates to share as well as a main menu. We ordered a little bit of everything along with some wine. Our server was more than helpful with suggestions (thank you Hadley!) and everything was delicious! We will absolutely be back soon!
I popped into The Green Room for lunch with my 4-year-old daughter. Everything was delicious and service was quick! I also made my way to the local Starbucks one morning for coffee and had lunch at Popovers on the Square!
What to do
Since I was staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites, I kept all my activities within walking distance. I made sure to get a run in every morning. I always love to do this when I’m staying somewhere because there is always something new to see. !t just makes the run a little more fun. Even if you’re not bringing your running shoes, I do suggest you take some time to walk around. Make sure to check out Prescott Park and Strawberry Banke. During the summer months they have a lot of events happening that would be cool to check out.
You also want to make sure you have time to pop into all the ridiculously charming shops that line the streets of downtown. My daughter joined me for a girls afternoon and we made sure to stop into some of our favorite local spots. We popped into G. Wilikers! to pick out some birthday gifts, which they happily wrapped for me! Then we made our way to Gus & Ruby Letterpress to pick out the perfect card for Father’s Day (and who am I kidding, a few things for myself). And we checked out ten thousand villages, if you are looking for something unique, this is the place to shop. It is a fair-trade retailer and features products from more than 130 artisan groups. I also did some solo shopping at janegee, Seabags, and Evie!
