Peirce Island
Peirce Island
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
41 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
16
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Robert Camper
Concord, NH105 contributions
Jan 2023
We were visiting the area, and just looking for a place to walk. This is a little island, just outside of the city area. We were there in January, warm day, but very few people. Lots of dog walkers. Island has a pool (obviously not open, maybe just for residents), little playground, and some nice little trails. We went out to the end, around the sewage treatment plant (yes, that is on the island also, smell was not great down that far), and back. There was a fortification at the end, there was a little sign, but sounded like they just dug some holes a few hundred years ago, not much.
Often when we visit an area, we are just looking for a place to park our car and walk, with hopefully something interesting or nice scenery. This fit the bill perfectly, spent about 1.5 hours there, but if you want to "hike" or entertain little ones, probably would not have spent as much time there.
Often when we visit an area, we are just looking for a place to park our car and walk, with hopefully something interesting or nice scenery. This fit the bill perfectly, spent about 1.5 hours there, but if you want to "hike" or entertain little ones, probably would not have spent as much time there.
Written January 6, 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.
K Pastore
Hinsdale, IL667 contributions
May 2021
We walked across to Peirce Island where they have trails and sidewalks all around. It was peaceful to walk out to the Four Trees Island and enjoy the view of the port area. I may run there tomorrow since I saw a number of runners there in the morning.
Written May 25, 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.
NHjo
Saco, ME15,038 contributions
May 2022
Peirce Island is 27 acres of walking paths and has a saltwater pool, playground, tidal pools, and a boat launch as well as great views of the marshes, Memorial Bridge, Prescott Park, and the Piscatagua River. Four Tree Island, another great spot, is to the left of it as you enter Peirce Island. It's very historic, having played a part in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, and clipper ships were built here in the mid 1800s. It's a wonderful place to spend some time in, especially combined with Four Tree Island.
Written July 2, 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.
DannyDuck1974
Boston, MA18 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Many years ago Peirce Island was our favorite Portsmouth, New Hampshire destination to enjoy a quiet picnic with our old dog Buster. We loved taking him for a long walk on-leash and we always picked up after him and after us leaving no waste, trash or debris. Buster loved Peirce Island always perking up as we approached the area. Prescott Park was always off limits so we walked Buster over the bridge to Peirce Island. Buster died of old age and since we adopted two well mannered younger rescue dogs. Our two dogs are members of our family.
We immediately got the message we were no longer welcome in Portsmouth, NH. There were No you can't do this, No you can't do that signs posted everywhere. Portsmouth, NH has become too negative a tourist destination if you travel with your companion dogs. Besides Peirce Island is now covered with seagull droppings from their over population. Your four legged family is not invited so it is better to find another destination which is pet friendly. One benefit by not being allowed to walk your dog you'll save on vet bills from your dog getting sick from lots of bird droppings. Our car was covered with seagull droppings just driving in and out of the parking lot in order to read all of the negative signage.
So what once was a beautiful destination where we vacationed in nice pet friendly accommodations in Portsmouth, NH, dined at many great restaurants, and enjoyed Strawberry Banke Candlelight Christmas Stroll has ended. They have all lost our business. We will never visit Portsmouth ever again. There are just too many other better destinations to visit that are very pet friendly that want our and our dogs tourist business.
We immediately got the message we were no longer welcome in Portsmouth, NH. There were No you can't do this, No you can't do that signs posted everywhere. Portsmouth, NH has become too negative a tourist destination if you travel with your companion dogs. Besides Peirce Island is now covered with seagull droppings from their over population. Your four legged family is not invited so it is better to find another destination which is pet friendly. One benefit by not being allowed to walk your dog you'll save on vet bills from your dog getting sick from lots of bird droppings. Our car was covered with seagull droppings just driving in and out of the parking lot in order to read all of the negative signage.
So what once was a beautiful destination where we vacationed in nice pet friendly accommodations in Portsmouth, NH, dined at many great restaurants, and enjoyed Strawberry Banke Candlelight Christmas Stroll has ended. They have all lost our business. We will never visit Portsmouth ever again. There are just too many other better destinations to visit that are very pet friendly that want our and our dogs tourist business.
Written April 13, 2019
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.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,571 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
Peirce Island is a 27-acre island in the Piscataqua River that is owned by the city of Portsmouth. It is connected to mainland Portsmouth by a bridge on Peirce Island Road which is off Marcy Street adjacent to Prescott Park near Hancock Street.
The City of Portsmouth calls Peirce Island “The Crown Jewel of Portsmouth.”
There are two stops on the Portsmouth Harbour Trail on Peirce Island.
Peirce Island has a varied landscape with the city’s outdoor swimming pool, salt marsh, several light hiking or walking paths that have five scenic overlooks, tidal pools, rocky cliff, a playground, open space, a small dog park, boat launch, and the Portsmouth Commercial Fishing Pier. The pier is open to public only during special events, such SAIL Portsmouth when a tall ship is docked there.
The far end of Peirce Island is great place from which to watch the tall ships come in because they pass very close to the island. It can be very congested there, but the close-up view of the ship(s) is worth the challenge for a parking space and the traffic snarl afterwards for many people.
My most-recent visit was for the 2015 SAIL Portsmouth event organized by the Portsmouth Maritime Commission. The featured ship was the square-rigged, multi-decked, 170-foot, 495 ton El GaleĂłn AndalucĂa, a replica of a Spanish galleon ~ an armed merchant ship ~ from circa 1623 when Portsmouth was settled. It was equipped with 10 cannon. It is the only galeĂłn class vessel sailing the seas today. Her home port is St. Augustine, FL.
The ship was docked across the narrow channel across from Prescott Park at the Portsmouth Commercial Fishing Pier on Peirce Island which is connected to Prescott Park by a bridge.
Prescott Park is always the ideal place from which to photograph the visiting tall ship(s) because of the positioning at the dock. One gets a full side view of the ship(s). For this year’s event, Privateer Lynx was docked at the UNH Marine Pier near Fort Constitution and the USCG Station Portsmouth Harbor at New Castle because she was giving public sails.
After photographing El GaleĂłn AndalucĂa from Prescott Park, I strolled the gardens and photographed a few flowers before walking back to Peirce Island to visit the concession tent and the ship.
The Northeast Buccaneers were on hand to provide plenty of pirates on the pier and in the tent.
Several local ecological, marine safety, and tourism groups were present.
New to the event this year was a food truck by Hebert’s Restaurant, a very popular, well-rated family restaurant on Route 1 in Portsmouth that I’ve patronized a number of times. The order window woman told me that Hebert’s takes this truck to special events and that they had a spot at Hampton Beach Seafood Festival in September. At this event, lobster rolls were $8.00 for the small and $16.00 for the large. I took the $8.00 size. It had a good 3 oz of fresh lobster meat. It was great. There were a lot of seafood items on the menu. A clam roll was $5.00. One person I met had fish and chips. The large chunks of haddock looked really good.
Many parts of Peirce Island are wheelchair accessible.
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The City of Portsmouth calls Peirce Island “The Crown Jewel of Portsmouth.”
There are two stops on the Portsmouth Harbour Trail on Peirce Island.
Peirce Island has a varied landscape with the city’s outdoor swimming pool, salt marsh, several light hiking or walking paths that have five scenic overlooks, tidal pools, rocky cliff, a playground, open space, a small dog park, boat launch, and the Portsmouth Commercial Fishing Pier. The pier is open to public only during special events, such SAIL Portsmouth when a tall ship is docked there.
The far end of Peirce Island is great place from which to watch the tall ships come in because they pass very close to the island. It can be very congested there, but the close-up view of the ship(s) is worth the challenge for a parking space and the traffic snarl afterwards for many people.
My most-recent visit was for the 2015 SAIL Portsmouth event organized by the Portsmouth Maritime Commission. The featured ship was the square-rigged, multi-decked, 170-foot, 495 ton El GaleĂłn AndalucĂa, a replica of a Spanish galleon ~ an armed merchant ship ~ from circa 1623 when Portsmouth was settled. It was equipped with 10 cannon. It is the only galeĂłn class vessel sailing the seas today. Her home port is St. Augustine, FL.
The ship was docked across the narrow channel across from Prescott Park at the Portsmouth Commercial Fishing Pier on Peirce Island which is connected to Prescott Park by a bridge.
Prescott Park is always the ideal place from which to photograph the visiting tall ship(s) because of the positioning at the dock. One gets a full side view of the ship(s). For this year’s event, Privateer Lynx was docked at the UNH Marine Pier near Fort Constitution and the USCG Station Portsmouth Harbor at New Castle because she was giving public sails.
After photographing El GaleĂłn AndalucĂa from Prescott Park, I strolled the gardens and photographed a few flowers before walking back to Peirce Island to visit the concession tent and the ship.
The Northeast Buccaneers were on hand to provide plenty of pirates on the pier and in the tent.
Several local ecological, marine safety, and tourism groups were present.
New to the event this year was a food truck by Hebert’s Restaurant, a very popular, well-rated family restaurant on Route 1 in Portsmouth that I’ve patronized a number of times. The order window woman told me that Hebert’s takes this truck to special events and that they had a spot at Hampton Beach Seafood Festival in September. At this event, lobster rolls were $8.00 for the small and $16.00 for the large. I took the $8.00 size. It had a good 3 oz of fresh lobster meat. It was great. There were a lot of seafood items on the menu. A clam roll was $5.00. One person I met had fish and chips. The large chunks of haddock looked really good.
Many parts of Peirce Island are wheelchair accessible.
If you found this review helpful, kindly click YES below.
Written July 26, 2015
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.
David H
Bentonville, AR468 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
This island is a short walk across a bridge from Prescott Park and worth checking out. It’s a nice little island, but the best part is the adjoining Four Tree Island. This little isolated island is all park. There are gazebos, multiple covered picnic tables and plenty of open green space for fun during a picnic. Best of all, there is a long, narrow path just a few feet above water that leads to a stature and two park benches that overlook the Piscataqua River. We went on an overcast day so this isolated tiny penensula was as peaceful as the view of the river. At one point we had the whole island to ourselves.
For this little island alone, I’d recommend making the trip if you’re in town.
For this little island alone, I’d recommend making the trip if you’re in town.
Written October 24, 2018
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.
Steven W
Haymarket, VA454 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
There are many great places to get a view of and from Portsmouth. What you won’t find is a free place to park and get some nice views. You can do both from the park on Pierce.
Written September 29, 2018
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.
Michael H
Burke, VA193 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
A wonderful get away spot in Portsmouth just south of Strawberry Banke which is quiet and restful. It offers great views of the city from the south, is surrounded by lobster boats and quiet still waters, and has a great view of the oldest shipyard in the United States, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. You are on the river and during tidal changes the river really rips by! The park has tables and allows grilling in covered gazebos.
Written May 28, 2018
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.
WorcesterMoray
Worcester1,089 contributions
May 2016 • Family
Went here for a walk with daughters dog. Nice place to walk with views over bay and harbour. Lots of wildlife.
Written May 28, 2016
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.
WDLuisi
Portsmouth, NH104 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Most visitors to Portsmouth will spend a little leisure time at our wonderful Prescott Park, or will head out to New Castle Island to Great Island Park for a picnic. But one of my favorite places right here in town is to walk across the Peirce Island bridge (at the south end of Prescott Park) and head over to the picnic grounds. There are covered tables with grill grates for cooking, or uncovered picnic tables. But my best of all spots it at the tip of the park facing into Portsmouth over the water. There is a park bench isolated from the picnic area that I frequent during summer at sunset. You get the best of everything. Sunset view of Portsmouth, and a bit of privacy. There is no picnic table here, so this is not a place for a large family picnic, more an intimate spot for two.
Written May 10, 2016
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.
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