Heidi & Dennis' Best of Southern Maine Guidebook
Sightseeing
Scenic waterfront walk, beaches, and picnic area. Excellent views. Bring your lunch or grill items and make it a day.
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Fort Foster
76 Pocahontas RdScenic waterfront walk, beaches, and picnic area. Excellent views. Bring your lunch or grill items and make it a day.
**Great in-town, riverfront park. Summer concerts are excellent, as are special events for the kids, and the gardens are spectacular. Check out the events online and bring chairs or beach towels.
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Prescott Park
105 Marcy St**Great in-town, riverfront park. Summer concerts are excellent, as are special events for the kids, and the gardens are spectacular. Check out the events online and bring chairs or beach towels.
Fantastic excursion for everyone. Take the morning ferry out for a scenic ride and stay a few hours. Bring you camera and walking shoes.
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Isles of Shoals
Fantastic excursion for everyone. Take the morning ferry out for a scenic ride and stay a few hours. Bring you camera and walking shoes.
Perkins Cove is a scenic seacoast harbor with sailing and deep-sea fishing tours, amazing restaurants, small boutiques, and a not-to-miss cliff walk that spans from the harbor to a gorgeous beach.
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Ogunquit
Perkins Cove is a scenic seacoast harbor with sailing and deep-sea fishing tours, amazing restaurants, small boutiques, and a not-to-miss cliff walk that spans from the harbor to a gorgeous beach.
Includes wonderful Seacoast Science Center, interesting for all ages.
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Odiorne Point State Park
570 Ocean BlvdIncludes wonderful Seacoast Science Center, interesting for all ages.
PORTSMOUTH Great small historic city for shopping, food, scenic historic walks, bike rentals, and tours. You can park just over the Memorial bridge.
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Portsmouth
PORTSMOUTH Great small historic city for shopping, food, scenic historic walks, bike rentals, and tours. You can park just over the Memorial bridge.
We enjoy parking at the harbor or across from the Wiggly Bridge and walking the York River path down to the beach or Stage Neck Inn. A very scenic path along stately homes.
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York Harbor
We enjoy parking at the harbor or across from the Wiggly Bridge and walking the York River path down to the beach or Stage Neck Inn. A very scenic path along stately homes.
This is a charming place for lobster rolls, restaurants, candy shops, and more. You can go deep sea fishing from here on the Bunny Clark or go on a daysail on Silver Lining a gorgeous 1939 Hinkley sloop steeped in Maine history. We love to walk from the parking lot in the cove (as you enter on the left across from Billy's all the way to Ogunquit beach. It's lovely
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Perkins Cove
This is a charming place for lobster rolls, restaurants, candy shops, and more. You can go deep sea fishing from here on the Bunny Clark or go on a daysail on Silver Lining a gorgeous 1939 Hinkley sloop steeped in Maine history. We love to walk from the parking lot in the cove (as you enter on the left across from Billy's all the way to Ogunquit beach. It's lovely
One of the more scenic places in the area. You can drive ovr the Memorial Bridge through Portsmouth, stop at Genos and take out a lobster roll, take a left onto the road to New Castle. Park for a photo just after Goat Island (can kayak here too) and drive around the Island stopping at NewCastle Commons park for a picnic.
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New Castle
One of the more scenic places in the area. You can drive ovr the Memorial Bridge through Portsmouth, stop at Genos and take out a lobster roll, take a left onto the road to New Castle. Park for a photo just after Goat Island (can kayak here too) and drive around the Island stopping at NewCastle Commons park for a picnic.
Portsmouth Discovery is an interesting museum and also the starting place for historic Portsmouth Walking tours. The nearby John Paul Jones house also has bike rentals and tours.
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Discover Portsmouth
10 Middle StreetPortsmouth Discovery is an interesting museum and also the starting place for historic Portsmouth Walking tours. The nearby John Paul Jones house also has bike rentals and tours.
Museums
In the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this authentic, nearly 10-acre outdoor history museum is dedicated to bringing 300+ years of American history in the same waterfront neighborhood to life.
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Strawbery Banke Museum
14 Hancock StIn the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this authentic, nearly 10-acre outdoor history museum is dedicated to bringing 300+ years of American history in the same waterfront neighborhood to life.
Explore the tight spaces where those intrepid sailors lived.
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USS Albacore Museum
569 Market StExplore the tight spaces where those intrepid sailors lived.
At Odiorne Point, it's a great place for kids to learn about the marine environment.
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Seacoast Science Center
570 Ocean BlvdAt Odiorne Point, it's a great place for kids to learn about the marine environment.
The perfect venue to view art along the shore. Check their website for music, wine, and garden party events.
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Ogunquit Museum-American Art
543 Shore RdThe perfect venue to view art along the shore. Check their website for music, wine, and garden party events.
Fun, interactive children's museum only ten minutes away.
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Children's Museum of New Hampshire
6 Washington StFun, interactive children's museum only ten minutes away.
An interesting museum and also the starting place for historic Portsmouth Walking tours. The nearby John Paul Jones house also has bike rentals and tours.
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Discover Portsmouth
10 Middle StreetAn interesting museum and also the starting place for historic Portsmouth Walking tours. The nearby John Paul Jones house also has bike rentals and tours.
Food scene
Socially-conscious flatbreads and salads with locally-grown natural and organic ingredients.
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Flatbread Company
138 Congress StreetSocially-conscious flatbreads and salads with locally-grown natural and organic ingredients.
**Our Favorite—James Beard semi-finalist for best chef and also slow food award winner. The best area restaurant. Make a reservation well in advance.
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Black Trumpet
29 Ceres St**Our Favorite—James Beard semi-finalist for best chef and also slow food award winner. The best area restaurant. Make a reservation well in advance.
Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro & Bar
35 Portwalk PlFantastic vegetarian dishes
Local popular bakery with breakfasts, sandwiches, and sweet treats in Kittery Foreside. Their grain breads are phenomenal and worth the wait.
Geno's Chowder & Sandwich Shop
177 Mechanic StLocal popular bakery with breakfasts, sandwiches, and sweet treats in Kittery Foreside. Their grain breads are phenomenal and worth the wait.
Can't leave the area without a summer ice cream cone from Annabelle's
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Annabelle's Natural Ice Cream
49 Ceres StCan't leave the area without a summer ice cream cone from Annabelle's
A neighborhood bistro in Kittery Foresides near Anju, Tulsi, Festina Lente, Lils, and Black Birch. We enjoy sitting outside under the umbrellas. Best to reserve.
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Anneke Jans
60 Wallingford SquareA neighborhood bistro in Kittery Foresides near Anju, Tulsi, Festina Lente, Lils, and Black Birch. We enjoy sitting outside under the umbrellas. Best to reserve.
Excellent healthy bowl food. They don't take reservations but it's worth the wait.
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Anju Noodle Bar
7 Wallingford SquareExcellent healthy bowl food. They don't take reservations but it's worth the wait.
A hidden hideaway for libations behind Anju in Kittery Foresides.
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The Wallingford Dram
7 Wallingford SquareA hidden hideaway for libations behind Anju in Kittery Foresides.
If you like Indian food and affordable prices, this is your best bet in the area. Eat in or take out.
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Tulsi Indian Restaurant
20 Walker StIf you like Indian food and affordable prices, this is your best bet in the area. Eat in or take out.
One of our favorite dining experiences, but they don't take reservations so go early. You can give them your name and walk around back to the Wallingford Dram while you wait.
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The Black Birch
2 Government StOne of our favorite dining experiences, but they don't take reservations so go early. You can give them your name and walk around back to the Wallingford Dram while you wait.
Festina Lente
1 Government StVery small but outstanding Italian dinner cafe.
A French bistro with great baguettes, pastry, macrons, sandwiches, and salads. A nice stop before theater at The Music Hall or anytime.
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La Maison Navarre - Pastry, Bistro, Wine Bar
121 Congress StreetA French bistro with great baguettes, pastry, macrons, sandwiches, and salads. A nice stop before theater at The Music Hall or anytime.
James Beard award-winning chefs. We like to have an afternoon visit to the Ogunquit Art Museum, then head to Perkins Cove. Try a sail on the silver lining and take the lovely cliff walk that starts behind the first parking lot on the left and extends to Ogunquit beach. End the day with a drink or meal at MCs. Be sure to make advanced reservations and do check the current schedule.
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M.C. Perkins Cove
111 Perkins Cove RdJames Beard award-winning chefs. We like to have an afternoon visit to the Ogunquit Art Museum, then head to Perkins Cove. Try a sail on the silver lining and take the lovely cliff walk that starts behind the first parking lot on the left and extends to Ogunquit beach. End the day with a drink or meal at MCs. Be sure to make advanced reservations and do check the current schedule.
**Another top favorite, local hangout at the water, with spectacular views. Frisbees Wharf is delightful. We love to eat on the upstairs 3rd floor outside deck at the "Ski Club" and also outside on the pier at the Wharf, good food and drinks and a fabulous view of lobster men and women and sailors of all sorts. Make an online reservation for outside and hope for the best weather.
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Pepperrell Cove Restaurant
88 Pepperrell Rd**Another top favorite, local hangout at the water, with spectacular views. Frisbees Wharf is delightful. We love to eat on the upstairs 3rd floor outside deck at the "Ski Club" and also outside on the pier at the Wharf, good food and drinks and a fabulous view of lobster men and women and sailors of all sorts. Make an online reservation for outside and hope for the best weather.
**The newest Portsmouth highlight and place to gather for fun food and a unique nourishing vibe. there are amazing wines and cocktails, pizza, noodles and grains, salad, and fine cheeses in a very unique cozy atmoshere.
Hearth Market
**The newest Portsmouth highlight and place to gather for fun food and a unique nourishing vibe. there are amazing wines and cocktails, pizza, noodles and grains, salad, and fine cheeses in a very unique cozy atmoshere.
Our favorite lobster rolls on the pier. Stroll around Portsmouth's downtown shop in the morning, check out Prescott Park and the amazing gardens, stop at Geno's for a double lobster roll, and then try a scenic drive around New Castle then end at Sanders Fish Market and South Street and Vine to pick up dinner ingredients. If you go on a Saturday you can start at the Farmer's Market.
Geno's Chowder & Sandwich Shop
177 Mechanic StOur favorite lobster rolls on the pier. Stroll around Portsmouth's downtown shop in the morning, check out Prescott Park and the amazing gardens, stop at Geno's for a double lobster roll, and then try a scenic drive around New Castle then end at Sanders Fish Market and South Street and Vine to pick up dinner ingredients. If you go on a Saturday you can start at the Farmer's Market.
Excellent gourmet tapas and wine. It isn't cheap and it doesn't have lots of room, however snag an outdoor table on this Portsmouth back alley cafe on a summer evening and you won't be disappointed.
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Cava
10 Commercial AlleyExcellent gourmet tapas and wine. It isn't cheap and it doesn't have lots of room, however snag an outdoor table on this Portsmouth back alley cafe on a summer evening and you won't be disappointed.
City/town information
Portland
An amazing foodie city, with great culture, so much to do and see. The 50 minute drive makes it a fantastic day trip. Be sure to try a harbor sail, gourmet lunch, boutique shopping in the Old Port, and a leisurely walk around the peninsula. A fantastic day trip is to pack a lunch and day pack, drive to Portalnd and park at the Casco Bay Ferries, take the ferry to Peaks Island, then rent a bike (or golf cart) and ride the scenic flat rim of the island. Can't get a much more scenic bile ride. At the end of the day have drinks, oysters, and lobsters at the Eventide restaurant.
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Portland
Portland
An amazing foodie city, with great culture, so much to do and see. The 50 minute drive makes it a fantastic day trip. Be sure to try a harbor sail, gourmet lunch, boutique shopping in the Old Port, and a leisurely walk around the peninsula. A fantastic day trip is to pack a lunch and day pack, drive to Portalnd and park at the Casco Bay Ferries, take the ferry to Peaks Island, then rent a bike (or golf cart) and ride the scenic flat rim of the island. Can't get a much more scenic bile ride. At the end of the day have drinks, oysters, and lobsters at the Eventide restaurant.
The guidebook app has a glitch and the headline should read Portsmouth. Portsmouth is 10 minutes from our home and offers scenic walks (or rent an electric bike or Segway), boutique shopping, great restaurants, beautiful harbor parks, and lots of arts and entertainment. Park at the Portsmouth end of Memorial Bridge, try a drink at Hearth Food garden or Martingale Wharf, visit the Framer's market on Saturday mornings, visit the boutique shops, and try a summer play in Prescott Park, or jazz at Jimmy's.
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Boston
The guidebook app has a glitch and the headline should read Portsmouth. Portsmouth is 10 minutes from our home and offers scenic walks (or rent an electric bike or Segway), boutique shopping, great restaurants, beautiful harbor parks, and lots of arts and entertainment. Park at the Portsmouth end of Memorial Bridge, try a drink at Hearth Food garden or Martingale Wharf, visit the Framer's market on Saturday mornings, visit the boutique shops, and try a summer play in Prescott Park, or jazz at Jimmy's.
Music and Theater
Great place for live music, theater, author events, and dance.
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The Music Hall
28 Chestnut StGreat place for live music, theater, author events, and dance.
Wonderful local theater with plays all year long.
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Seacoast Repertory Theatre
125 Bow StWonderful local theater with plays all year long.
Ogunquit Playhouse
10 Main StSummer broadway shows
A don't-miss riverside outdoor park with summer music plays and more. Check out the events online, go early and take our chairs and beach towels. Grab a bite there or take a picnic. Check out the gardens, fountains, and ancient Chinese cherries.
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Prescott Park
105 Marcy StA don't-miss riverside outdoor park with summer music plays and more. Check out the events online, go early and take our chairs and beach towels. Grab a bite there or take a picnic. Check out the gardens, fountains, and ancient Chinese cherries.
**If you like music—DON'T MISS JIMMY"S—Top Notched in every way. Make reservations well in advance (moths) and plan to have dinner in one of the better seats. Mainstage 213 is our favorite table. If you need a babysitter ask us for a recommendation.
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Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club
135 Congress Street**If you like music—DON'T MISS JIMMY"S—Top Notched in every way. Make reservations well in advance (moths) and plan to have dinner in one of the better seats. Mainstage 213 is our favorite table. If you need a babysitter ask us for a recommendation.
Beaches
Free beach and scenic walk. Head to the right and go to the very end to follow the path to the back side. Be sure to park in the non-resident slots.
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Seapoint Beach
Seapoint RdFree beach and scenic walk. Head to the right and go to the very end to follow the path to the back side. Be sure to park in the non-resident slots.
Our favorite. This is a large scenic park with five areas of beaches and picnic spots. They include two children's beaches, a playground, and a long fishing and sightseeing pier if you drive straight in; a pavillion and grassy knoll with grills for great picnics if you take your first left. If you take a right after the pavilion there is a great beach sometimes used for windsurfers and if you go straight there is a beach for SCUBA. There is a $20 entrance fee. Be sure to take a picnic.
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Fort Foster
76 Pocahontas RdOur favorite. This is a large scenic park with five areas of beaches and picnic spots. They include two children's beaches, a playground, and a long fishing and sightseeing pier if you drive straight in; a pavillion and grassy knoll with grills for great picnics if you take your first left. If you take a right after the pavilion there is a great beach sometimes used for windsurfers and if you go straight there is a beach for SCUBA. There is a $20 entrance fee. Be sure to take a picnic.
Long Sands Beach
189 Long Beach AveLarge sandy beach popular with tourists.
Odiorne Point State Park
570 Ocean BlvdLocal beach spot
Local popular beach spot. There's also a scenic drive as you hug Ocean Blvd, passing about five NH beaches (Odiorne, Wallis, Rye State, Jenness, and Rye Beach) before reaching Hampton. Hampton can be quite busy and filled with traffic; we recommend you turn off on Atlantic Ave route 111 to avoid traffic jams. We also recommend driving the length of New Castle Commons on 1B before you get to Ocean Blvd. if you want to see some incredible homes and stop at the Commons (a sixth NH beach spot).
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Rye Beach
Local popular beach spot. There's also a scenic drive as you hug Ocean Blvd, passing about five NH beaches (Odiorne, Wallis, Rye State, Jenness, and Rye Beach) before reaching Hampton. Hampton can be quite busy and filled with traffic; we recommend you turn off on Atlantic Ave route 111 to avoid traffic jams. We also recommend driving the length of New Castle Commons on 1B before you get to Ocean Blvd. if you want to see some incredible homes and stop at the Commons (a sixth NH beach spot).
Jenness State Beach
2280 Ocean BoulevardNH State Park great for surfing.
Great Island Common
301 Wentworth Rd**Great beach park with a playground.
There is a lovely walk if you park at the Wiggly Bridge or York Harbor off route 103 York. From there you can follow the river to the harbor past wonderful homes and gardens and ending at Stage Neck Beach. The path continues for miles however to the north of the beach do keep your eye pealed for poison ivy. Stage Neck Inn has amazing views and the best lobster rolls shy of Eventide in Portland. They are however quite pricey.
Stage Neck Rd, York, ME 03909, USA
There is a lovely walk if you park at the Wiggly Bridge or York Harbor off route 103 York. From there you can follow the river to the harbor past wonderful homes and gardens and ending at Stage Neck Beach. The path continues for miles however to the north of the beach do keep your eye pealed for poison ivy. Stage Neck Inn has amazing views and the best lobster rolls shy of Eventide in Portland. They are however quite pricey.
Sailing, Fishing, Kayaks, Surfing, and Cruises
**The Sliver Lining is a gorgeous 42' 1939 Hinkley Sloop. It's well worth a cruise. The Bunny Clark is a great deep sea fishing boat.
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Perkins Cove
**The Sliver Lining is a gorgeous 42' 1939 Hinkley Sloop. It's well worth a cruise. The Bunny Clark is a great deep sea fishing boat.
Harbor Cruises, Sunset Cocktail Cruises, Isles of Shoals, and more. See also the Gundalow Company for a harbor cruise with a good dose of history.
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Portsmouth Brewery
56 Market StHarbor Cruises, Sunset Cocktail Cruises, Isles of Shoals, and more. See also the Gundalow Company for a harbor cruise with a good dose of history.
You can rent Kayaks or SUPs and launch yourself at Goat Island between Portsmouth and New Castle or you can take a tour. It's a fairly easy paddle and quite scenic.
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Portsmouth Kayak Adventures
185 Wentworth RoadYou can rent Kayaks or SUPs and launch yourself at Goat Island between Portsmouth and New Castle or you can take a tour. It's a fairly easy paddle and quite scenic.
Paddleboard the back channels of Portsmouth Harbor. Try a lesson or rental.
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Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co
62 Ocean BlvdPaddleboard the back channels of Portsmouth Harbor. Try a lesson or rental.
The Gundalow is an historic river barge that will take you on a scenic river tour.
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Gundalow Company
60 Marcy StThe Gundalow is an historic river barge that will take you on a scenic river tour.