Industrial harbor does not yield many impressive views.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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)
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.
Print the maps and the descriptions of the locations from the internet - the brochures with the longer descriptions are hard to find.
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.