Chowder Festival, Portsmouth NH Activities, WOKQ Chowder Festival

Love Chowder?  Don't miss the annual Chowder Festival in Portsmouth, NH on Saturday, June 2nd, 2012.  The oldest and largest Chowder Festival boasts more than 500 gallons of chowder being tasted by over 4,000 people.

The tasting starts at 11:30 a.m. in Prescott Park and runs until the last drop of chowder is gone.  Dozens of restaurants participate, each vying for the honor of Best Chowder, as voted by the public, and Judge's Choice.  Even the booths compete for their own prize.

Some of the prior years' entrants included Spicy Seafood Chowder, Smoked Scallop Chowder and Manhattan Chowder to name a few.  And don't forget the traditional recipes, often the most popular.  Rub elbows with fellow chowder lovers while strolling through Prescott Park and looking out over the beautiful Piscataqua River.

At the Martin Hill Inn, we encourage our guests to arrive early as the line starts before 11:00 a.m.  The  annual devotees are determined to sample all the "chowda" possibilities.  Our Portsmouth bed and breakfast is just a 20 minute walk from all the action.  When you are done with lunch, pop across the street and visit the Strawbery Banke Museum.

Gundalow Sail Portsmouth NH, Sail the Piscataqua River

Few experiences are so lovely as floating down the Piscataqua River under sail on a Gundalow.  What is a Gundalow, you ask?  It is that flat bottomed, lateen-rigged, sailing workhorse of the old Portsmouth seaport.  With the launch of the new Gundalow, Piscataqua, you can now see first hand the wonders of sailing the river with its swift currents and shores teeming with nature, industry, cottages and rocky shores.

A few days ago, I sailed down river with Executive Director Molly Bolster and her Gundalow crew, led by Captain Matt Glenn.  Leaving the dock at Prescott Park, Captain Matt used the motor to ease us into the main current of the river.  Once clear, the crew placed a few volunteer passengers on halyard lines and we raised sail.  Cutting the motor, Captain Matt let the river currents do most of the work just as the sailors did for generations.  The sail was mostly a secondary source of power since the river is so swift.  We drifted past the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard with its submarine pens and Coast Guard cutters on one side and Pierce Island Park on the other.  Through the narrows of the river we got a close up view of the old Naval Prison which dates from 1908 and closed in 1974.  Beyond the prison, we see the island village of New Castle with its lovely cottages and boats moored off the shore.  On the opposite shore, Kittery Point comes into view with grand summer homes and fishing shacks as well.  We returned under power, crossing through the pillars that once supported the old Memorial Bridge where you can see the reconstruction work.  We waved at the people having drinks and dinner along the waterfront and then returned to dock at exactly 7:00 p.m.

Along the journey, the crew explains about the educational programs that the Gundalow offers to school groups.  We draw water from the river to examine the microscopic plankton that keep the river alive and feed the larger marine life, all of which depend on our interest in keeping the river healthy.  A portion of your ticket proceeds supports these education programs.  The crew is happy to explain the boat, the river and local maritime history along the way.  They will even let you steer the boat!

From Memorial Day to Columbus Day Weekend, the Gundalow will offer regular tours, three times a day, from Thursday through Sunday.  The Morning Sail begins at 10:00 a.m. and the Afternoon Sail at 2:00 p.m.   The Sunset Sail begins at 6:00 p.m. from May through July, 5:30 p.m. from August to September and at 5:00 p.m. to the end of season to accommodate the shorter daylight hours.  All tours leave from the dock in Prescott Park between the Shaefe Warehouse and Mechanic Street and last 2 hours.  Be sure to arrive 30 minutes before departure.  Captain Matt is very prompt and the tour is no fun from the dockside!

Each Thursday, the Sunset Sail will feature either a lecture or live music to serenade your trip on the river.  Tickets for the tours can be purchased online and cost $36 for a day sail and $41 for a sunset sail.  Children ages 5 to 12 are welcome at a discounted rate.  Tickets can also be bought at the offices at 60 Marcy Street across from Prescott Park.

It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the Martin Hill Inn to the Gundalow, or it is a short drive and there is public parking at Prescott Park and at Pierce Island.  The Inn can book your sail for you, if you wish, just speak to the Innkeeper.  Bon Voyage!

Komen Race for Cure, Portsmouth NH Breast Cancer Race

On Saturday, May 12, 2012, Portsmouth NH will host a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to raise funds for breast cancer research.  This wonderful event starts at Strawbery Banke Museum, just a 15 minute walk from the Martin Hill Inn.  Funds raised by participants help with research, education, support for cancer patients and cancer survivors.

Race participants who choose to stay at our Portsmouth bed and breakfast can make special pre-race breakfast requests.  We want to see loads of energetic and happy runners and walkers on May 12th..We certainly expect to see a lot of pink in Portsmouth that day!

Kitchen Tour, Portsmouth Music Hall

The Portsmouth Music Hall presents its 21st annual Kitchen Tour featuring private kitchens of New Castle, NH on Saturday May 5, 2012.  The tour begins at 10:00 am and runs until 3:00 pm at a cost of $25 or $27 per person as a fund raiser for the historic Music Hall.  A truly popular event, the tour draws some 1,000 to 1,500 guests.  A tour map, kitchen descriptions and museum booties, all provided with your ticket, are all you need to enjoy the day.

For the first time, the tour can be made via a continuous loop trolley which will transport the tour attendees along the route through the island town of New Castle.  The town of New Castle has a wide variety of houses from antique colonial period to modern late 20th century which will provide a wonderful opportunity to garner dozens of design ideas in unique settings.


When you get hungry, a casual creek-side lunch can be found at BG's Boathouse or something more formal at the Wentworth-by-the-Sea Resort.  When you return to the Martin Hill Inn you can relax in the gardens and contemplate your dinner options.

Nature walks, day hiking, in Portsmouth NH

The season warms and nature walks become a daily event in the woods around Portsmouth, NH.  Ffrom our New Hampshire Inn, you can day hike forests and fields, beaches and meadows.  Here are three of our favorites with maps and driving directions from the Martin Hill Inn.

Odiorne Point State Park:  Drive 4 miles from the Martin Hill Inn to this unique park that features forest trails, beach and rock walking and a science center.  The 135 acre park contains seven distinct natural habitats which can be visited in an hour's rambling walk.  Inside the Science Center, adults and children alike learn about ocean life, seashore biology and local maritime history.  Parking lot, handicap access and picnic areas are available.  After your walk, continue down Route 1A to the beaches in Rye and Hampton, NH.


View Odiorne Point State Park in a larger map

Great Bay Wildlife Preserve:  Put this one into the "I Never Would Have Known" category.  Just a 6 mile drive from the Inn, the preserve is tucked behind an old air force base and next to the Great Bay.  It is hard to believe that you start by driving towards the local mall, go around the airport runway and find yourself in a parking lot next to an old ordinance storage area.  But really, this is one of the prettiest and least trodden two mile walks in the area. You will pass by an old orchard and field, wander the woods on a broad track, watch the birds and squirrels, stop at the waterside deck and look out over Great Bay toward Durham then return back to your starting point.  If you have time, there is also a half mile loop along a wooden walkway to a duck blind where you can scan the pond for wild fowl.  At the right time of year, you will see Jack-in-the-Pulpit blooming on the forest floor (these are protected species!).  Restroom facilities are available at the parking area.


View Great Bay Wildlife Preserve in a larger map

Urban Forestry Center:  Displaying the incredible bio-diversity of the area, the Center features a salt marsh wetland, red pine plantation, birds and native wildflowers.  The trail is about 2 miles round trip, self-guided with maps available at the parking lot.  Dogs are permitted. When you are finished with your walk, Stop in the Me & Ollie's Cafe inside Philbrick's Fresh Market for a delicious lunch of hot soup, fresh bread and/or sandwiches.


View Urban Forestry Center in a larger map

There are many other day hikes and walks the Inn staff can tell you about.  Describe the scenery, length of walk and terrain and we will do our best to match you with a great walk in either New Hampshire or across the bridge in Maine.

We will be sure you have a good start to the day with a hot breakfast and a good night sleep at the Martin Hill Inn.


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Jazzmouth, Music and Poetry in Portsmouth, NH

Come visit our New Hampshire inn during the 7th Annual Jazzmouth, Seacoast Poetry & Jazz weekend on April 26th to 29th, 2012.  A one of a kind four day event featuring national and local talent including David Amram, Michael McClure, Sheila Jordan and many more.  Tickets are on sale now.

The 2012 event schedule includes some early happenings on April 21st and 22nd including cheese, wine and poetry (a reception/fundraiser) at South Street & Vine.  When Jazzmouth begins officially, there are poetry readings, films, live music, brunch and discussions with new talent and established names.

All of these events happen within a 10-15 minute walk from the Martin Hill Inn.  Enjoy a hearty breakfast with some Ella Fitzgerald playing in the background and then fill your day with verse and song.

Portsmouth Restaurants, Seafood Restaurants and Outdoor Dining

With April just around the corner, Portsmouth seafood restaurants with outdoor dining start to come to life.   It may still be cold outside, but a 15-20 minute walk from our Portsmouth bed and breakfast will place you in a front row seat with tug boats and steamed clams.  The little area of waterfront restaurants at the corner of Bow and Ceres Street, known locally as "the decks," is where Portsmouth natives mark the beginning of outdoor dining season..  Calendars count down the days to the re-opening of the Old Ferry Landing, along with the deck portions of The Riverhouse, Poco's Bow Street Cantina and The Oar House.  Almost nothing heralds the coming of spring more clearly in Portsmouth than the smell of steamed lobster and clam chowder wafting along the waterfront.

When the weather is rainy, seafood lovers flock to traditional seafood joints such as Newicks in Dover, BG's Boathouse in New Castle, and the old standby - Warrens in Kittery.  When summer really arrives, the lobster-in-the-rough places open for al-fresco lunches at picnic tables with plastic bibs and nut crackers for those tough lobster shells.  Our favorite is the Chauncy Creek Lobster Pier.  Best experienced at lunch time and with a little can of bug spray, Chauncy Creek is literally on a creek and you should not be surprised to see a kayak or two float by while you are enjoying your steamers.  The restaurant is BYO anything they don't sell.  So look at their menu, if they don't sell it (liquor, beer, cake, brie and crackers), you can bring it with you.

Your summer stay at the Martin Hill Inn can include one of these great lobster shacks, just tell us what you are looking for and we'll get you to the right place.