EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
explore downtown Portsmouth, NH
The Sailmaker’s House’s location, in the heart of downtown Portsmouth, NH, makes it the perfect place to stay for those who like to try new activities, broaden their cultural palate, and get a feel for a community’s local flavor. You will always find something fun and interesting going on in the neighborhood.
TICKETS
Click the links below to check out each venue and purchase tickets for upcoming events!
Jimmy's Jazz Club
3S Art Space
Seacoast Repertory Theater
The Music Hall
The Press Room
The Dance Hall
music
The Music Hall & The Music Hall Lounge - In 1878, the 900 seat The Music Hall opened its doors as a Vaudeville theater. Fast forward 140 years and The Music Hall—now with a second more intimate space, the Music Hall Lounge— offers a wide range of live music plus films, authors, humor and more.
The Press Room - The Press Room is the longest running bar, restaurant, and live entertainment venue in downtown Portsmouth. An eclectic lineup of offerings includes singer songwriters, jazz, blues, funk, indie rock, open mic nights, and more.
Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club - First and foremost, Jimmy’s is about the music. Meticulously engineered with superior acoustics, sound equipment and lighting, Jimmy’s is an intimate, state of the art venue hosting world renowned and up and coming musicians. Food and drink are available.
3S Artspace - 3S Artspace is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit contemporary arts organization that combines a flexible performance space, a large contemporary art Gallery, and a restaurant partner. 3S is committed to presenting a wide range of music, with a focus on adventurous, underrepresented, and unconventional acts. Their aim is to showcase some of the best national and international talent, and shine the spotlight on some of the best talent in the region.
Prescott Park Arts Festival - Nestled along the banks of the Piscataqua River in downtown Portsmouth’s Prescott Park, the Festival combines a grassroots, community feel with the allure that accompanies the Grammy Award winning national touring acts that grace the stage. The Festival has a rich history of presenting a 10-week summer season of inspiring, family-friendly arts programming, including themed music festivals, concerts, a film series, dance, children’s events, and signature musical theatre.
Gaslight - A downtown restaurant with live music, plus a weekend DJ in the top floor nightclub. In good weather, listen to music on their outside deck.
Seacoast Science Center - Seacoast Science Center is all about hands-on education, but on Thursday evenings in the summer, they want your FEET on the dance floor to support conservation of our Blue Planet. Their new, larger seaside tent has plenty of room for groovin’ to live music.
Theater
The Music Hall - For children, check out the Music Hall’s School Days Series. At holiday time, enjoy a family musical co-presented with the Ogunquit Playhouse.
Seacoast Repertory Theatre - Seacoast Rep is a nonprofit, professional regional theatre with productions year round. Offering well know musicals along with newer works.
NH Theater Project at the West End Studio Theatre - New Hampshire Theatre Project is located in the West End, the heart of Portsmouth, NH’s alternative arts district. They offer Main Stage productions, guest artist presentations, touring performances & community residencies.
3S Artspace - Check out the calendar for special nights of theater, storytelling or comedy.
The Player’s Ring - The Player’s Ring is an intimate, 75 seat space offering an eclectic mix of productions, both well know and new works.
museums/galleries
Strawberry Banke - Strawberry Banke Museum is a 10-acre campus dedicated to bringing 300+ years of history to life, from Indigenous history to the present day, in the Puddle Dock neighborhood. Tour historic houses on their original foundations, meet engaging costumed roleplayers, watch traditional crafts demonstrations, and explore historical gardens and landscapes.
Porstmouth Historical Society - The Portsmouth Historical Society offers changing exhibitions in its three gallery spaces. Visitors can also watch a 14 minute film on the 400 year history of the city.
MONA Portsmouth - The Museum of New Art (MONA) will bring the latest trends in contemporary art to the New Hampshire Seacoast region. MONA’s striking building, redesigned by architect Andrew Sidford, provides exceptional exhibition space for the presentation of work by contemporary artists.
Portsmouth Anthenaeum - While there were once hundreds of membership libraries across America, there are now fewer than twenty left. The Athenaeum today continues this long tradition of mutual improvement by maintaining a library of over 40,000 volumes and an archive of manuscripts, photographs, objects, and ephemera relating to local history. It also sponsors exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and other educational and cultural programs.
NH Art Association Lincoln Levy Gallery - NHAA is open year-round with new exhibits monthly. They feature the largest selection of original artwork from regional artists in the Seacoast. NHAA participates in the monthly Art 'Round Town gallery art walks in downtown Portsmouth on the first Friday of each month with an open reception from 5:00 - 8:00
USS Albacore Museum - Visit the museum then take a self guided tour through the submarine. Designed, built, and maintained by the skilled engineers and craftsmen of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Albacore served as a sea-going test platform from 1953 to 1972.
Kennedy Gallery - Conveniently located in downtown Portsmouth, the gallery presents a wide selection of original local artwork, archival prints, photography, and gifts. Featured artists change monthly.
Ceres St. Gallery - Ceres Gallery is a unique association of artists. It is a blend of world renowned Living Master Painters and emerging future masters. Exhibited works change monthly.
historical houses
Most of Portsmouth’s historic house museums are open Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. Many are NOT open 7 days/week. Click on any of the houses to view specific dates, times and admission prices. Most are walking distance from the Sailmaker’s House, but you may want to drive to the Jackson House and the Wentworth Coolidge Mansion.
John Paul Jones House
Governor John Langdon House
Wentworth-Gardner House
Rundlet May House
Warner House
Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden
Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion
Jackson House
experiences
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 - “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 - 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 better way to get around! Check their website for off-season and pre-ordering discounts! Sailmaker’s House guests receive a 10% discount with the code Sail24!
Portsmouth Harbor Cruises - 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 cruises or wine tasting cruises!
Granite State Whale Watch - 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 - 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. - Step aboard the Historic Gundalow barge! This unique boat was built in 2011 using time honored methods and material and designed for education and public sailing. Available for private charters, concert cruises, sunset sails, and more!
Wallis Sands State Park - 10 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 - 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 to learn about the historical Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion, the Legend of Leach Island, and more!
Portsmouth Paddle Co. - 5 min drive. Offering paddle board tours, rentals, lessons, as well as SUP (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 - 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 - 10 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 - 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 - 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.
SElf care
Buff & File - We recommend the Pedi with Dazzle Dry!
Jane Gee - The BEST in body care products and skin care treatments. We recommend a facial customized for your chemistry.
Blush Skin & Spa - Take a walk to this cute little house on the hill to have the massage of your dreams. Enjoy 10% off spa services with code STAYANDRELAX. Coupon exclusive to guests of The Sailmaker's House, Water Street Inn and Hotel Thaxter. Must show hotel booking confirmation.
Solari - Hair, Facials, Waxing and Nails. Right downtown! Highly recommended.
Massage & Wellness Collective - Providing individualized solutions with a full suite of massage and wellness services. Enjoy 10% off during your stay, just mention this offer when booking your service.
FITNESS
F45
360 US1 Bypass, Building C, Unit 7 in Portsmouth
Drop in $25
Portsmouth Athletic Club
95 Brewery Ln # B in Portsmouth’s West End
Day pass $20
Mission Portsmouth
125 Brewery Lane in Portsmouth’s West End
One class $19
Flight House
6 Airfield Drive in Rye
Drop in $20
SEASONAL EVENTS
SPRING:
Spring Restaurant Week
The first of the Seacoast’s biannual restaurant week is typically held in April.
Participating restaurants offer pre fixe three course menu (lunch and/or dinner!)
showcasing some of their best dishes including fan favorites and new creations.
Children’s Day
Held annually on the 1st Sunday in May, this Festival combines family-friendly activities & entertainment –
all sponsored, hosted and supported by downtown merchants, area companies,
civic organizations and volunteers of the Seacoast. The day is filled with something for everyone!
Hit The Decks
Typically held in mid-May (depending on the weather.),
this event marks the opening of the outdoor dining and entertainment areas of the Seacoast.
SUMMER:
Chowder Festival
June 3rd, 2025
Market Square Day
June 14th, 2025
Kittery Block Party
June 17th, 2025
FALL:
Vintage & Vine
September 4th, 2025
Portsmouth’s Halloween Parade
October 31st
Fall Restaurant Week
November
WINTER:
Vintage Christmas
Candlelight Stroll
Music Hall’s Christmas Musical