Activities

Celia Thaxter’s Garden Tour
10 min drive
Step back in time and experience the unique beauty of Celia Thaxter's Appledore Island! Experience the serenity of Celia Thaxter’s garden by the sea. Visit the Laighton family cemetery and learn their history with many of the islands in the Isles of Shoals. Hike the paths Celia herself wandered and explore the cultural history of the Appledore Hotel.

Strawbery Banke
4 min walk
“A place to learn, a place to gather, a place to preserve” Strawbery Banke is a 10-acre outdoor history museum dedicated to immersing its guests in the history of Portsmouth and the Seacoast. The “museum” is comprised of 32 historic buildings nestled among heritage gardens in a waterfront neighborhood. Here you’ll find evolving exhibits, costumed role players and live music and events.

Seacoast Science Center
10 min drive
Currently open only on the weekend, the Seacoast Science Center is a non-profit marine science education organization located within Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, NH. This is a great activity for families to experience some hands on learning about our Seacoast’s ecosystem!

Port City Bike Tours
1 min walk (Across the street at the John Paul Jones House)
Offering public, private or self-guided biking and walking tours, Port City has an itinerary for every kind of explorer! You can also rent bikes if you’re familiar with the area but want a quicker way to get around! Hotel Thaxter guests receive a 10% discount with the code Thaxter24!

Portsmouth Harbor Cruises
2 min walk
Since 1982 when the Heritage took its maiden voyage on the Piscataqua River, visitors have been enjoying the historically rich and aesthetically pleasing trips off the coast of Portsmouth. Choose from a fully narrated harbor cruise, a cruise to the Isles of Shoals, sunset cruise or an inland river cruise.

Granite State Whale Watch
14 min drive
For almost 40 years, Granite State has been dedicated to whale watching, sight seeing and research of the NH/ME/MA coastline from June to September. Historically, their whale watches have a 99% sighting rate, as they are led by experienced and qualified naturalists who enjoy sharing their love of the marine environment!

Historical Walking Tours
1 min walk (Across the street at the Discover Portsmouth Center)
The Welcome Center at Portsmouth Historical Society/Discover Portsmouth leads many different historical walking tours throughout the city based on different aspects of the Seacoast’s history. Experience the city’s rich past and lively present with its unique mix of architecture, specialty shops, and bustling streets nestled in a village-like setting.

The Gundalow Co.
2 min walk
Step aboard the Historic Gundalow barge! This unique boat was built in 2011 designed for education and public sailing using time honored methods and material. Available for private charters, concert cruises, sunset sails, and more!

Wallis Sands State Park
12 min drive
Located in Rye, NH, Wallis Sands offers oceanfront swimming on a sandy beach and a beautiful view of the Isles of Shoals. There is also a large bathhouse with hot and cold showers, a grassy area with picnic tables and on-site parking.

Seven Rivers Paddling
5 min drive
Choose from kayaks or stand up paddle boards to tour the ocean or one of the many scenic tidal rivers nearby. Rent equipment and choose your own adventure or sign up for a guided tour!

Esther’s Marina LLC
14 min walk
At Esther’s Marina you can rent kayaks or paddle boards for your own exploration or sign up for tour through the back channels of the Piscataqua River. Learn about the historical Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion, the Legend of Leach Island, and more!

Portsmouth Paddle Co.
11 min drive
Offering paddle board tours, rentals, lessons, as well as stand up paddle board fitness classes, the Paddle Co. provides you with everything you need to enjoy the local waterways.

Isles of Shoals Steamship Company
8 min walk
Expertly narrated history tours of Portsmouth Harbor, the Isles of Shoals and the New Hampshire Seacoast. A variety of tours are offered. Stay on the boat, take a guided tour of Star Island, or spend time on your own for the day.

Appledore Island Walking Tour
9 min drive
Spend the day on Appledore Island, one of the nine beautiful Isles of Shoals off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire and visit the Shoals Marine Lab. Travel out to Appledore on the University of New Hampshire research vessel, the R/V Gulf Challenger, with UNH Marine Docent tour guides.

Haunted Portsmouth Walking Tour
Tales of folklore, ghosts and mysterious history. The tours are about 90 minutes and a number of neighborhoods are offered.

Star Island Mail Boat
10 min drive
On a typical trip, guests will ride out with mail, food, freight and whatever else is headed out to the island that day. There are a variety of options, some with stopovers at Star or Appledore Islands.

Historical Tastings Tour at the Iconic Rockingham
2 min walk
Dare to mix wine, history, fine food, and ghost stories? Enjoy a 3 course tasting and hosted by the Library Steakhouse located in Portsmouth’s iconic Rockingham building. The house historian has a wealth of anecdotes, both grandiose and grim, and leads tour guests through parts of the building normally closed to visitors. Tickets are $60 per person.