Market Square
Market Square
4.5
About
The heart of downtown, where several walking tours begin, Market Square is a center of activity with art galleries, bookstores, antique shops, ethnic restaurants and many original 17th-century buildings.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
748 reviews
Excellent
473
Very good
236
Average
33
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Laura Z
Rochester, NY446 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We had a nice walk around Market St area (and Strawbery Banke). Many shops were closed (Saturday night around 6-8 pm). We ate dinner in the area. There are also local musicians playing instruments.
Written June 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thomas F M
1 contribution
Jun 2022
A great land fun city with lots of sights and restaurants. My wife was saved by the very nice lady at Clays when she had left her dress at home and had to find something appropriate to wear. The store was actually closing and she stayed with us to find an outfit for my wife. We also enjoyed the restaurant we eat at the brew pub and Martingale Wharf, which was excellent. The staff and waitress were very friendly and prompt. The food was very good . We will be back
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NHjo
Saco, ME7,605 contributions
Mar 2023
Market Square in late winter isn't nearly as crowded as it is at other times. The giant Christmas tree was recently dismantled. It's like the calm before the storm of tourists. There are also a few new stores, including a Best of British store with a very eye-catching life-sized Beefeater standing at the doorway.
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eileen V
Trumbull, CT113 contributions
Feb 2022
Tons of overpriced shops and bars replete with an abundance of Millennial Hipsters. We saw more Jack Dorsey wannabes with beards and stocking caps to last us a lifetime. Visiting Market Square is worth your time, just don't expect anything too much.
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tony
Long Island, NY11 contributions
Oct 2022
Lovely area of the city. Shops, bars, restaurants, lots of golden retrievers, people, etc. Seemed like whenever we were walking about, we always found ourselves back at Market Square. Really is the hub of the city. Loved this walking city.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mislissyb
Nashua, United States41 contributions
Jul 2022
Whether you are there for the coffee and pastries, ice cream, or are a true foodie there is something for everyone. If f you prefer to shop there is a nice mix of handcrafted artisan shops, art galleries, retail, and brand name stores. If you are a history buff, historic Strawberry Banke is within walking distance.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Angielynn7
Bridgewater, MA41 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Spent a couple hours walking around exploring this area of Portsmouth. Lots of restaurants and shops to visit. Easy walking even though it was very busy on the beautiful Sunday we visited. Stopped for lunch at the Thirsty Moose Taphouse and grabbed coffees after that. There was live music on the day we were there. Good way to spend some time
Written July 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
traveler541
Pennsylvania419 contributions
Jul 2020
Great downtown place to watch people, buildings..sit on a bench with a coffee and relax. This is a great place to relax and enjoy many restaurants, cafes, stores and people watching. Very nice place to hang out and relax for a while.
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Culture36730
Boston1 contribution
Market Square is a step back in time, and my favorite place to visit with my wife. Sporting some quirky attractions like a haunted walking tour, where you are guided down the oldest sidewalk in America along Strawberry Bank, this town has something unique for everyone. Traditional pubs like Molly Malones make you feel like you're in Ireland, and traditional music is often played and sung in the evenings. Following the sidewalk down to the water, it's difficult not to stop in every little brick antique shop or gallery. I recommend following the water to 1 Harbour Place, a charming brick building set right on the water next to the bridge to Kittery. From its large brick patio you can spend the day watching boats and seagulls and mingling with the fellows from Fairfield Mortgage who occupy the space and seem to know every odd detail about the history of Portsmouth and its people. But be careful- you may fall in love with this wonderful town and buy a vacation home! If you're lucky they'll invite you in to view the spectacular views of the bridge and park from their office. After leaving 1 Harbour Place, by all means take a stroll through Strawberry Bank. This slice of yesteryear is privately maintained and has been meticulously restored. You'd never guess that you're only a short drive to Boston. In conclusion, there's really no wrong turn you can make in Market Square. From the friendly tobbacconist to the modern day witches, you'll wish the rest of the country could be so quaint, beautiful, and filled with the ghosts of early America.
Written January 23, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH10,220 contributions
Apr 2021
Market Square is where Daniel Street becomes Congress Street, and Pleasant Street angles across to Market Street. The convergence has been a major crossroads and center of commerce in Portsmouth since the 17th.century when the City of Portsmouth was settled.
Today, it is still a busy crossroads with today’s commerce ~ shops, coffeehouses, and restaurants, plus the historic North Church of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Athenaeum Library. Bookstores, toy stores, art galleries, more coffeehouses, more restaurants, specialty shops, and three Historic New England homes are just a block or so away.
Market Square is also something of a social center. It’s a place to see and be seen.
Most of the red brick buildings there were built between the early and mid-1800’s. The reason for so much red brick is three devastating fires in the area in 1802, 1806, and 1813. All occurred around Christmastime. The red brick’s fire-resistant quality has withstood the test of time.
The old red brick construction is part of Portsmouth’s charm. It takes one back in time when life was at a slower pace.
On my most-recent visit, it was a warm, sunny spring day. And, for the first time in the decades that I’ve lived in the area and been to Market Square, I had time to relax and hang out on a park bench on the corner of Congress Street and Pleasant Street after shopping at nearby Stonewall Kitchen. During my 30-minute stay, I had some company with people from away and locals.
I rate Market Square at 5.0. It’s a place to gear down and enjoy one’s surroundings.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Today, it is still a busy crossroads with today’s commerce ~ shops, coffeehouses, and restaurants, plus the historic North Church of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Athenaeum Library. Bookstores, toy stores, art galleries, more coffeehouses, more restaurants, specialty shops, and three Historic New England homes are just a block or so away.
Market Square is also something of a social center. It’s a place to see and be seen.
Most of the red brick buildings there were built between the early and mid-1800’s. The reason for so much red brick is three devastating fires in the area in 1802, 1806, and 1813. All occurred around Christmastime. The red brick’s fire-resistant quality has withstood the test of time.
The old red brick construction is part of Portsmouth’s charm. It takes one back in time when life was at a slower pace.
On my most-recent visit, it was a warm, sunny spring day. And, for the first time in the decades that I’ve lived in the area and been to Market Square, I had time to relax and hang out on a park bench on the corner of Congress Street and Pleasant Street after shopping at nearby Stonewall Kitchen. During my 30-minute stay, I had some company with people from away and locals.
I rate Market Square at 5.0. It’s a place to gear down and enjoy one’s surroundings.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Written April 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Barbara
Poughkeepsie, NY109 contributions
Are there any restaurants open Thanksgiving Day in this area.
StackyMaryland
Laurel, MD170 contributions
Sorry I'm not sure.
TanT80
West Bloomfield, MI1,129 contributions
If you have 1 full day here, what is the best plan of action: must see things and best places to eat?
jamesleetn
Portsmouth, NH26 contributions
I would start the day with a nice breakfast at "The Friendly Toast" on Congress Street or Popover or Breaking New Grounds.
Next stroll the downtown area and check out all the quaint and colorful shops.
Walk on down to the harbor and take a tour on either the "Thomas Leighton" or one of the other boats.
If you're back in time for lunch I recommend the River House on Bow Street, excellent menu and great chowder.
Next stroll over to Strawbery Banke, our living history museum of homes decorated from the late 1700s to 1954. See how people lived in days past.
Then see what's happening in Prescott Park next door. They often have plays, concerts, and and entertainment throughout the warmer months.
Cap the day off with a nice dinner at The Library restaurant in the Rockingham building on State street.
Are the sores/restaurants open on Christmas day?
govbanker
Manchester, NH78 contributions
I am not sure as we have never been to Portsmouth on Christmas Day. We spend Christmas with family and friends.
Paul S
Brooklyn, NY6 contributions
weather in early December/are stores closed after visitor prime seasons? Concerned about driving conditions.
magagoo
Atlantic Beach, FL459 contributions
Stores and restaurants stay open. The weather in New Hampshire can be tricky. However my wife and I love going to Portsmouth in the winter because the tourist are gone and the food is great. Just bundle up.
dsacch
Bethel, CT3 contributions
We will be visiting for the first time with our children Ages 7 - 14. What places would you recommend visiting and what would be the closest place/beach for them to swim etc.
Claire D
Portsmouth, NH23 contributions
There's a wonderful sea water beach ar New Castle Common. There's a large playground, well manicured lawn with trees then a beach & water but also rocks to climb and explore.
Petra S Nashville Feb 2020
44 contributions
where do you park to visit Market square?
T4349TOinfo
Dover, NH276 contributions
The easiest is the parking garage on Hanover St.There is also on street metered parking ,which runs 7 days a week until 8 pm.
we would like to stay at a bed and breakfast in portsmouth.
v0yageur22
Killingworth, CT1,488 contributions
We stayed at an Air BnB apartment--less money for room than a hotel, and plenty of privacy. Wherever you end up staying, Portsmouth is a plesant place to visit.
Market Square (Portsmouth) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Market Square
- We recommend booking Market Square tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Market Square tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Market Square:
- (0.10 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown
- (0.14 mi) The Sailmaker's House
- (0.20 mi) Ale House Inn
- (0.20 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown
- (0.19 mi) Residence Inn Portsmouth Downtown/Waterfront
- Restaurants near Market Square:
- (0.02 mi) Popovers On The Square
- (0.02 mi) Tuscan Market Portsmouth
- (0.03 mi) Durbar Square Restaurant
- (0.03 mi) Portsmouth Feed Company
- (0.04 mi) Toscana Italian Chophouse & Wine Bar
- Attractions near Market Square:
- (0.00 mi) Portsmouth Harbor Trail
- (0.01 mi) Warner's Card & Gift Shop
- (0.02 mi) New Hampshire Brews Cruise
- (0.02 mi) Ireland On The Square
- (0.02 mi) North Church Of Portsmouth