portsmouth harbor trail

Fitzy0813

Leisure walks through lovely old neighborhoods, hidden gems of parks and historical markers along the way. Wear comfortable shoes, as the brick walkways are not level!

emacintosh2014

Portsmouth is never the same city you've seen before. Whether you go their daily or once a year on your way to Maine, each visit will be unique.The Harbor Trail can be peaceful, fascinating, and very relaxing. It can also be crowded and difficult to follow, if you're there on a busy, tourist-y day. Expect some narrow sidewalks with uneven paving. Wear comfortable walking shoes. If you're there in the winter, wear boots; you're sure to trek through some snow when the sidewalk is jammed with visitors and you decide to walk around them.The Harbor Trail is best suited to couples. If you're there with toddlers, some sidewalks (and shops) may be difficult to navigate with a stroller. Some portions are wheelchair-friendly. Others aren't.My advice: Don't try to see it all in one day. If you complete even half of it, you've seen a lot. Also, be sure to explore other, nearby paths, lanes, and streets if parts of the Harbor Trail seems overcrowded. Portsmouth has a wealth of off-the-beaten-path surprises.You'll get the most from your stroll if you take a formal tour, but simply following the path can keep you entertained.

johnpS4312GB

We stopped here on our way to Maine and had a very pleasant experience taking in the sights. Very good seafood places and shops galore.

SueP2013

I went up to spend a gorgeous spring day and it was a huge disappointment. The websites make it sound as if the walk is something easily done and a nice way to spend time. Abbreviated trails and hard to find areas, I wasn't impressed. I wouldn't recommend this attraction.

mikem650

Portsmouth is a nice place to visit. Lot's of scenery, architecture, and good restaurants. I recommend taking a walk and a drive along the harbor road. Then stop at the old historic fort Fort Constitution. From the shoreline you can see the old Portsmouth Navy Prison, an old gothic castle like structure.

DavenNatski

This is a great activity to do, especially if you can go on the guided walking tour which meets on select days of the week and starts from the tourist information booth outside Breaking Grounds coffee house in Market Square. My husband and I were fortunate to do this tour with Connie, a very knowledgable tour guide who has been a Portsmouth local all her life. She told us lots of interesting facts both about Portsmouth, and its place in American history. The route takes you through all the historical highlights of Portsmouth and Connie was able to answer any questions we had. I would highly recommend taking the guided tour!

pamfletcher

This was a great way to spend a couple of hours in Portsmouth. I really love taking these walking tours because you feel like you get insight into the region from a local perspective. First, I need to tell you it was raining but it didn'tr dampen anyones enthusiasm, the guide or the eight participants. It was a very interesting tour and the guide did a great job. She informed us of historical facts and current facts in an interesting way. The tour lasted well over two hours and she could have gone on much longer.It does require walking for two hours.The guide suggested several places for lunch and we picked the bakery. The baked good were to die for. Strawberry Bank Museum is close so we had lunch and went to the museum which was fabulous. All of the docents are in costurme. I really enjoyed our day in Portsmouth.

jackarch

Who knew Portsmouth was so cool? Loved this guided tour. Learned an awful lot. Glad we did it on our first day. An easy and relaxing walking tour.

AFBrat1117

Who knew signers of the Declaration of Independence lived in town (and that there's a tree that was planted by one of the signers from a chestnut he brought back from that occasion)? Naval capatains, John Paul Jones, who essentially founded the US Navy? You'll find these locations and more on the Portsmouth Harbor Trail, a sort of Freedom Trail North, if you know anything of the Boston variety. Highly worth it. Great way to learn more about the architrecture and history you are passing right by! Delightful way to walk, learn; stop, eat en route for a very pleasant diversion. I am from there and I still don't know everything about the town it is so historically rich. You will find it fascinating! also find the Heritage Trail, the trail of the African Americans underground railway through Portsmouth etc. Can take different routes thru diff areas so do as little or as much as you like....visiting will be so much more enjoyable when you know about all the history of the town (red light district and all! lol)

AlsoLovesTravel

The descriptions of the harbor trail made it sound like the Freedom Trail in Boston, which is nothing close. The Chamber of Commerce no longer publishes its self-guided tour, despite their online claims, so although you can pick up a map there are no descriptions of sites either on the map or on the buildings, so you don't know what you're looking at. If interested in general information on Portsmouth, I would suggest looking into a guided tour instead.

NikkiP231

I just love all the sights and sounds.Their are still alot of historic buildings left and even some of the roads and sidewalks bring you back to a simpler time.

xxramxx

Industrial harbor does not yield many impressive views.

ADWestfield

Print the maps and the descriptions of the locations from the internet - the brochures with the longer descriptions are hard to find.

MaryB482

It allows you to really see the city of Portsmouth - and we did it unguided, just using the brochure!

hcrottler

We went with friends to the walk. It is well marked and interesting. The area is flat and a lot of buildings and items to look at. Well put together and a great place to visit.