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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- dustythoughtsManchester, Connecticut2,244 contributionsUpbeat, walkable areaThis fabulous area is a lovely way to spend an afternoon (or a whole day if you want to take your time). It's chock-full of historic buildings, cute shoppes, and interesting restaurants. Wander down an alley to explore a hidden gem of a restaurant, check out a cute boutique, or just enjoy the gorgeous, historical architecture. Everyone was out in full force when we were here, so there was an upbeat energy that made our meanderings much more positive. There were people playing instruments, which we loved. Everything is very walkable here, so put on your comfy shoes and enjoy!Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 27, 2024
- siddy666Montreal, Canada374 contributionsCharming historical area filled with all kinds of shopsMarket Square is the highlight of any Portsmouth visit; tons of old, aesthetically pleasing buildings, alleyways, and all sorts of restaurants & shops (e.g. Nepali restaurant, store selling products exclusively from the UK). For photo enthusiasts, you will get some great shots! Don't miss Bow & Ceres Streets! Unfortunately the area does attract quite a few homeless; also I wouldn't say this area is handicap friendly (given its ups and downs)Visited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten October 14, 2024
- NHjoSaco, Maine15,003 contributionsMarket Square in December.Before we went to lunch at a local restaurant, I took a few photos of Market Square's North Church and the 30-ft white fir holiday tree. A tree is brought in and set up each year (some tourists think the tree is a permanently planted one, but no ), and it's not always the same type of tree -- a few years ago, it was a blue spruce. This year the tree was lit with white lights instead of colored ones.Visited December 2024Traveled with familyWritten December 28, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
760 reviews
Excellent
483
Very good
238
Average
33
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,575 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Whenever I’m in downtown Portsmouth, I always walk to Market Square because there’s always something going on there. It’s not only the heart of Portsmouth’s downtown area, but it’s also the hub of shopping and activity with a good amount of dining and entertainment in the downtown clubs included. It’s the happening place.
On this visit on Small Business Saturday, I’d been shopping on neighboring blocks. All afternoon, I’d heard bagpipe music coming from the heart of Market Square. And, as dusk was coming, I walked there to see if there was a lone piper, or if there was more than one, and they were taking turns. It turned out to be just one in full Scottish dress in his kilt. He was playing Christmas carols near the corner of Market Street in front of Market Square Jewelers.
I did not cross Congress Street to get closer as there was too much vehicular traffic through the square and too much foot traffic on the sidewalk on that side. In short, it was a borderline madhouse at that hour.
I maintain my rating of Market Square at 5.0.
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On this visit on Small Business Saturday, I’d been shopping on neighboring blocks. All afternoon, I’d heard bagpipe music coming from the heart of Market Square. And, as dusk was coming, I walked there to see if there was a lone piper, or if there was more than one, and they were taking turns. It turned out to be just one in full Scottish dress in his kilt. He was playing Christmas carols near the corner of Market Street in front of Market Square Jewelers.
I did not cross Congress Street to get closer as there was too much vehicular traffic through the square and too much foot traffic on the sidewalk on that side. In short, it was a borderline madhouse at that hour.
I maintain my rating of Market Square at 5.0.
If you found this review useful, please click the THUMBS UP to indicate HELPFUL.
Written December 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Faithfultraveler
Halifax, Canada3,417 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Portsmouth, New Hampshire is an amazing historic town.
It is on the Piscataqua River, with picturesque fishing trawlers heading out to ocean.
Downtown’s Market Square is the city’s restaurant hub, offering fresh coastal cuisine in small chef-run restaurants tucked away in 17th- and 18th-century brownstones.
The old huge homes, the colonial architecture, and the friendly small town feel of this picturesque city made for good memories during our 5 night stay.
It is on the Piscataqua River, with picturesque fishing trawlers heading out to ocean.
Downtown’s Market Square is the city’s restaurant hub, offering fresh coastal cuisine in small chef-run restaurants tucked away in 17th- and 18th-century brownstones.
The old huge homes, the colonial architecture, and the friendly small town feel of this picturesque city made for good memories during our 5 night stay.
Written January 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura Z
Rochester, NY441 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eileen V
Trumbull, CT122 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas F M
New London, CT1 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NHjo
Saco, ME15,003 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony
Long Island, NY64 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mislissyb
Nashua, United States78 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angielynn7
Bridgewater, MA42 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna A
Pennsylvania421 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there any restaurants open Thanksgiving Day in this area.
Written November 18, 2019
If you have 1 full day here, what is the best plan of action: must see things and best places to eat?
Written October 11, 2018
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.
Written October 11, 2018
Where is the Portsmouth, NH Rock located ?? Thx!
Written August 12, 2018
Thanks for your answers! I found it! It is on the corner of Deer St. It is a rock that is engraved with Portsmouth, NH 1623 :)
Written August 14, 2018
weather in early December/are stores closed after visitor prime seasons? Concerned about driving conditions.
Written November 19, 2017
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.
Written November 20, 2017
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.
Written July 20, 2017
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.
Written July 24, 2017
where do you park to visit Market square?
Written May 8, 2017
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.
Written May 9, 2017
we would like to stay at a bed and breakfast in portsmouth.
Written November 1, 2016
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.
Written November 1, 2016
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