Fall in Love with Portsmouth, New Hampshire this Winter
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When the snow blows across New Hampshire’s Great Bay and the Piscataqua River, and the old brick sidewalks become slick with a slurry of ice, sand, and salt, it’s a sign for all but the hardiest tourists to depart.
While many New Englanders are heading south to warmer climates or north for a weekend on the slopes, winter is our favorite time for a weekend getaway in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Portsmouth has long been known as a summer destination, with its proximity to the ocean, gorgeous public parks, and vibrant downtown, but winter in this magical city is a secret worth sharing.
Sure, you have to bundle up, but there are numerous benefits to visiting this historic seaport in the off-season.
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Why Visit Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the Winter?
Portsmouth is conveniently located just off Interstate 95 near the border of New Hampshire and Maine.
It is an easy drive from Boston and New York City, which makes it a lovely getaway for semi-local city dwellers. Unlike many coastal towns that shut down in the winter, Portsmouth is always open for business, and the winter views are amazing!
Visiting Portsmouth in the winter months will allow you to explore at a slower pace.
You can meander along the shore of the Piscataqua River where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean, take a self-guided history tour, and pop into dozens of local restaurants. Fair warning — you may never want to leave.
Another advantage of visiting Portsmouth in winter? It’s cheaper!
As budget travelers, we love traveling during the off-season because it means fewer crowds and lower prices. Winter rates at many of our favorite Portsmouth hotels start at $140 per night, compared to $250+ during the summer.
Use that extra money at a nice downtown restaurant or one of Portsmouth’s eclectic shops with tax-free shopping.
My husband and I try to visit Portsmouth every winter. We love meandering along the narrow streets, admiring the colonial architecture, and watching the tugboats on the river.
When the cold winds send us scurrying indoors, we delight in discovering new coffee shops, restaurants, and galleries throughout the city.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in winter, as well as some tips for enjoying your own winter getaway.
Portsmouth in Winter at a Glance
- Getting thereAbout 1 hour from Boston, 4.5 to 5 hours from NYC on I-95
- WalkabilityPark once and walk. Kittery Foreside is a half-mile walk across the Memorial Bridge.
- Skating seasonLate November to early March at Puddle Dock Pond, weather permitting. $16 for non-members, $6 skate rental.
- Closed until springStrawbery Banke’s historic houses (the grounds, rink, and December Candlelight Stroll stay open)
- ParkingStreet meters are $2 an hour for 3 hours, then $5. The Foundry Place Garage is $1 an hour.
- Best weekends Candlelight Stroll weekends in December
- With dogsPets aren’t allowed at Odiorne Point State Park, and since patios aren’t open in winter, we usually don’t bring our dog.
- Where we stayThe Water Street Inn in Kittery, a 10-minute walk from Market Square
Last checked by Tara: October 2026
Fun Things to Do in Portsmouth, NH in the Winter
Ready to embark on an off-season getaway to one of New England’s most charming cities? Here are some of the best things to do in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in winter.
Portsmouth Winter Activities at a Glance
| Stop | Why go in winter | Time to spend | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown walking tour | Colonial houses, North Church, and tugboats without the summer crowds | 1-2 hours | Yes, outside, on-leash |
| Labrie Family Skate | Outdoor rink on Puddle Dock Pond inside Strawbery Banke | 1.5- to 2-hour sessions | No |
| Seacoast Science Center | Touch tanks and Tofu the humpback whale skeleton, open Wednesday to Sunday | 75 to 90 minutes | No |
| Odiorne Point State Park | Rocky shoreline walks and World War II bunkers | 1-2 hours | No pets allowed |
| New Castle loop | Route 1B past Wentworth by the Sea, Fort Constitution, and the lighthouse | 2-3 hours | Yes, on-leash |
| The Music Hall | Historic 1878 theater, plus the holiday musical in December | An evening | No |
Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Portsmouth
Did you know that Portsmouth is one of the oldest cities in the United States? Settled in 1623, it served as New Hampshire’s capital from 1679 to 1775, when patriots moved the capital to Exeter.
Beautiful historic buildings, homes, and churches dot the downtown area, including New Hampshire’s oldest still-standing house (built in 1664), the stately North Church that towers over downtown (constructed in 1855), and a collection of more than 30 historic buildings at Strawbery Banke Museum.
Pick up a guide and map at the Portsmouth Chamber Visitor Center, then meander around town and immerse yourself in Portsmouth’s rich cultural heritage.
In the summer and fall, you can sign up for a tour guide to take you around the city, but in the winter, you’re on your own!
Read Next: A Romantic Summer Getaway in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Dine Your Way Across the City
You’ve probably worked up an appetite after your tour of downtown Portsmouth. Time to indulge at one of the dozens of restaurants in the downtown area.
Whatever you’re craving, you will find it in Portsmouth, from the freshest coffee and baked goods to right-off-the-boat seafood and eclectic farm-to-table meals.
We have had so many delightful meals in Portsmouth over the years! Curious about our favorite spots? Check out our continuously updated post on the best restaurants in Portsmouth!
Go Ice Skating at Strawbery Banke Museum
Weather permitting, you can warm up any winter day with a few twirls around the ice-skating rink at Labrie Family Skate on Puddle Dock Pond, which is run in collaboration with Strawbery Banke Museum.
The rink generally operates from November to March, but our crazy New England weather determines the exact schedule.
For more on operating hours and how to buy tickets, check out Strawbery Banke.
Learn About Local Marine Life at the Seacoast Science Center
Located within the boundary of Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, New Hampshire, just a short drive from Portsmouth, the Seacoast Science Center features interactive exhibits, touch tanks, and live ocean critters.
It’s a great place to delve into ocean ecology and marine life. To make a visit even more enticing, the center sits right on the shores of the ocean, with incredible views of the crashing waves.
The Seacoast Science Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm in the winter and daily in the summer. The center offers educational programs throughout the year, with a rotating cast of engaging displays.
We loved stroking the skates in the touch tank, watching the seahorses flit around in their aquarium, and learning about Tofu, the humpback whale who was hit by a ship and whose skeleton was donated to the center.
A visit to the Seacoast Science Center is one of the best things to do in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with kids, but even without kids, we learned so much on our visit!
For more about their special events and exhibits, visit the Seacoast Science Center.
Hike the Trails at Odiorne Point State Park
You can’t visit Odiorne Point State Park without exploring the beautiful trails that crisscross its 330-plus acres of coastal landscape.
While the park is not big, it encompasses seven distinct ecosystems, including New Hampshire’s largest stretch of undeveloped shoreline.
The first European settlers in New Hampshire landed at Odiorne Point, and a memorial dedicated to those settlers is located just off the trail along the coast.
The park is open year-round for outdoor adventures; however, pets are not permitted. For trail maps and fee information, please visit New Hampshire State Parks.
Meander Around New Hampshire’s Smallest Town
That would be New Castle, which is also New Hampshire’s easternmost community and the only town in the state that is located entirely on islands.
Take Route 1B (Wentworth Road) around the island and explore the rich history and natural landscapes along the coast.
Highlights of New Castle include Wentworth by the Sea, a grand historic hotel built in 1874; Fort Constitution and Fort Stark State Historic Sites; the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse; and the lovely New Castle Common.
We could have spent the whole day in New Castle; there was so much to see and do. Next time!
Catch a Show at the Music Hall
Winter in Portsmouth is the perfect time to catch a show downtown. The Music Hall was originally built as a vaudeville theater in 1878.
This was one of four theaters within a two-block radius in downtown Portsmouth, and while the other theaters have either burned or been torn down, the Music Hall is thriving.
Since its debut, it has served as an opera house, a movie theater, and an abandoned space for pigeons to roost. A capital campaign began in the 1980s, and the community restored the Music Hall piece by piece.
Today, it hosts world-class musical acts, comedians, theater productions, and films.
It is run as a community-supported nonprofit with a mission to promote a diverse range of performances. For a complete calendar, please visit the Music Hall’s website, and be sure to check out the restrooms when you go. They’re incredible.
We often plan our winter getaway to Portsmouth around a show we want to catch at the Music Hall, then plan our weekend around it.
There are easily enough winter activities to keep you busy in Portsmouth and the surrounding towns for a week or more.
Be sure to pack for winter weather and bring your appetite and sense of adventure. You won’t be able to resist the winter charms of New England’s most lovely coastal community.
Portsmouth Winter Events Worth Planning Around
Portsmouth gets busier, not quieter, in November and December. Here are a few dates worth planning a weekend around.
| Event | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant Week Portsmouth & the Seacoast | November 5-14, 2026 | Prix fixe lunch and dinner at 30-plus restaurants. Book ahead because this is a popular event. |
| Labrie Family Skate opens | Late November, weather permitting | Tickets for the week go on sale Sundays at 5 pm. |
| Mary Poppins at the Music Hall | December 2 to 20, 2026 | The family-friendly Broadway musical. Expect tight parking on show nights. |
| Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke | December 4 to 6, 11 to 13, and 18 to 20, 2026 | $17.50 to $35. No on-site parking, so walk over or take the weekend trolley. |
| Holiday parade in Market Square | December 5, 2026: 5-7 om | Crowded, but worth it if you want to end a day of holiday shopping with a parade. Be sure to make dinner reservations! |
Plan your visit
Portsmouth in Winter: A Day or a Weekend?
One day: Coffee and a pastry at Elephantine, a self-guided walk past the Moffatt-Ladd House and North Church, an afternoon skating session at Puddle Dock Pond, then dinner downtown. If I had to pick one restaurant, it would be Black Trumpet, but we have lots more favorite restaurants for you to choose from.
A weekend: Day one as above, plus a show at the Music Hall. On day two, drive out to the Seacoast Science Center and walk the shore at Odiorne Point, then loop through New Castle on Route 1B on your way back to town.
With dogs: We don’t generally bring our dog on a winter trip to Portsmouth because there are so few dog-friendly spots.
Where to Stay During Your Winter Visit to Portsmouth
Stay within walking distance of downtown so you don’t have to move the car every few hours. Here’s where we’ve stayed and where I’d send friends.
Tara’s pick
The Water Street Inn
We’ve stayed here four times. The rooms are colorful and modern, and the walk over the Memorial Bridge into town is the best part, although the wind can be fierce in the winter.
- Kittery Foreside, about a 10-minute walk to Market Square
- Coffee, tea, and snacks in the lobby
- Dogs: allowed in room #7
Walk to everything
The Inn Downtown
Ten studio apartments with real kitchens in an 1809 house, right in the historic district.
- Self check-in, no front desk
- Kitchens for a self-catered breakfast
- Dogs: Two pet-friendly rooms are available
Bed and breakfast
The Martin Hill Inn
A traditional B&B in two 19th-century houses, a 10-minute walk from Market Square, with a full breakfast.
- Full breakfast included
- Garden and fire pit patio
- Dogs: No pets (or kids)
Need more room? This three-bedroom apartment sleeps six and is within walking distance of downtown.
Some links above are affiliate links. Booking through them supports Back Road Ramblers at no extra cost to you.
Good to know before you go
- Parking: Meters run $2 an hour for the first 3 hours, then $5 an hour. The Foundry Place Garage is $1 an hour with a $20 daily max, the cheapest downtown option. Enforcement runs Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 8 pm and Sunday noon to 8 pm. Last December, the city offered 3 free hours in its garages over the holidays.
- Snow bans: When the city declares one, street parking rules change. Check the city’s snow parking page before you park overnight.
- Strawbery Banke: The historic houses close for the season, but the grounds, the rink, and the Candlelight Stroll keep the neighborhood lively.
- Odiorne Point: The park is unstaffed in winter; the main gates close November 1, and some trails are closed for dune restoration. No restrooms, and pets aren’t allowed.
- Seacoast Science Center: Winter hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. The state park fee is separate.
- Shopping: New Hampshire has no sales tax.
My Take: Winter Is Portsmouth’s Best Season, but Not the Most Dog-friendly
My take
Winter is our favorite time to visit Portsmouth, and we try to come every year. The crowds have thinned out, the sunsets are stunning (and early), and the food tastes even better in the cozy season!
The catch: We bring our dog almost everywhere, but for this trip, we leave her behind. Dog-friendly patios are closed, Odiorne Point doesn’t allow dogs, and the sidewalks are salted, so they’re no fun for paws.
Portsmouth in Winter FAQ
Is Portsmouth, NH worth visiting in winter?
Yes. Restaurants, shops, the Music Hall, and the Seacoast Science Center stay open, hotel rates drop, and the outdoor rink at Strawbery Banke runs from late November into March. Winter is actually my favorite season here, except it’s not very dog-friendly, so we have to leave our pup behind.
Is Strawbery Banke open in winter?
The historic houses close for the season, but the grounds stay open, Labrie Family Skate runs on Puddle Dock Pond, and the Candlelight Stroll fills the neighborhood on three December weekends.
Where can you go ice skating in Portsmouth, NH?
Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond, inside Strawbery Banke Museum. Public sessions last 1.5 to 2 hours and cost $16 for non-members, with $6 skate rentals.
What is there to do in Portsmouth, NH in December?
Plan around the Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke, Disney’s Mary Poppins at the Music Hall (December 2 to 20), and holiday shopping downtown with no sales tax.
Is Portsmouth, NH dog-friendly in winter?
Bring your pup on a summer visit instead!
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