Fun
Pierce Island Pool
Located on pierce island, one of the largest public swimming pools in new england. features changing rooms and a snack bar. one end of the pool has 7 lap lanes, while the other end has a 5 years and under swim area. open from mid june to late august. cost $2 $1 for portsmouth residents phone: +1 603 427-0717, 99 pierce island road.
Water Country Water Park
Just south of town on route 1, the water park has calm attractions where you wander around a lazy path in a tube, dramatic water slides, and wave tidal pools. summer fun. phone: +1 603-427-1111, (http://www.watercountry.com).
Events
June-Oct: Prescott Park Arts Festival
Phone: +1 603-436-2848, (http://www.artfest.org). the arts festival offers nightly performances throughout the summer in prescott park on the banks of the piscataqua river. theatre, music and other events. the annual tommy gallant jazz festival, folk festival, rhythm and roots festival, and country festival are all part of the prescott park arts festival.
June: Market Square Day
(http://www.proportsmouth.org/). usually held on the second saturday in june. market square day is an outdoor fair with shopping and food booths lining the major streets downtown along with local bands playing on 2-4 stages. worth wandering around but can get crowded.
August: Portsmouth Blues Fest
(http://www.bluesbankcolle...). a one day event to celebrate the blues. sponsored by the blues bank collective, founded in 1985, by african american history scholar valerie cunningham and blues musician t.j. wheeler.
October: NH Film Festival
(http://www.nhfilmfestival...). a week long event with up to 60 films, it is one of the largest in new england.
October: Halloween
The local residents take this day seriously. enjoy the parade (http://www.spookyportsmou...), ghosts on the banke (http://www.strawberybanke...), and other events fun for adults and children alike.
December: First Night
(http://www.proportsmouth.org/). a new years eve celebration of multiple artistic events coordinated throughout the town and provided for the price of a single button. a boston tradition that is now widely replicated. it can be a fun night but plan to spend time indoors.
Discover
Seacoast Science Center
570 ocean blvd, rye. phone: +1 603-436-8043, (http://www.seacentr.org/).
Sandy Point Discovery Center
Depot rd. exit 3b off i-95, 5 mi. on rte. 33, phone: +1 603-778-0015, (http://www.greatbay.org/s...).
Portsmouth Community Radio, WSCA-LP 106.1FM
909 islington street, portsmouth. phone: +1 603-430-wsca, (http://www.portsmouthcomm...).
The Music Hall
28 chestnut st, phone: +1 603-436-2400, (http://www.themusichall.org/). the seacoast's premier performing arts center puts on daily events in its 900 seat theatre built in 1878 located downtown on what is now a pedestrian only street. they have a weekly independent film series and have a diverse roster of opera, music performances in all genres bright eyes to kronos quartet, comedy, theatre, and dance. there is always something going on that is worthwhile to check out.