Portsmouth Trip Overview
Great for Fall foliage! Bike the length of the NH coastline – all 18 miles of it! Enjoy flat cycling around islands and along the ocean, passing summer cottages, lighthouses, secluded beaches, coastal walks, and seafood shacks. We will bike the best of New Hampshire’s seacoast from Portsmouth to Rye & stopping along the way for pictures and views. We have the country’s shortest stretch of seacoast, yet every mile is breathtaking on a bike. We’ll cycle the length of the “Coastal Scenic Byway” passing by mansions, gardens, lighthouses, and state parks featuring attractive beaches, rocky headlands, and coves. We will also stop at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel, a genteel Grand Hotel located on the water, in New Castle. Stop at the main historic sites along the way while taking in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and Piscataqua River. You’ll see lighthouses, breath in the ocean air, see Fall foliage and the coastline. Your guide will share interesting facts about each site. 20+ miles.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 hours
Starts: Portsmouth, United States
Trip Category: Walking & Biking Tours >> Bike & Mountain Bike Tours
Explore Portsmouth Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States
Great for Fall foliage! Bike the length of the NH coastline – all 18 miles of it! Enjoy flat cycling around islands and along the ocean, passing summer cottages, lighthouses, secluded beaches, coastal walks, and seafood shacks. We will bike the best of New Hampshire’s seacoast from Portsmouth to Rye & stopping along the way for pictures and views. We have the country’s shortest stretch of seacoast, yet every mile is breathtaking on a bike. We’ll cycle the length of the “Coastal Scenic Byway” passing by mansions, gardens, lighthouses, and state parks featuring attractive beaches, rocky headlands, and coves. We will also stop at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel, a genteel Grand Hotel located on the water, in New Castle. Stop at the main historic sites along the way while taking in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and Piscataqua River. You’ll see lighthouses, breath in the ocean air, see Fall foliage and the coastline. Your guide will share interesting facts about each site. 20+ miles.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: African Burying Ground, 386 State St, Portsmouth, NH 03801-4035
We’ll stop for a brief discussion on the Burying grounds
Duration: 8 minutes
Stop At: Great Island Common, 301 Wentworth Rd, New Castle, NH 03854-3007
We’ll stop at the mouth of the Piscataquis River and talk briefly about the five military installations, light houses and islands in the Atlantic ocean .
Duration: 8 minutes
Stop At: Prescott Park, 105 Marcy St next to Portsmouth Harbor, Portsmouth, NH 03801-4616
Charles Prescott of Erie, PA died leaving $3 million to his sisters Josie and Mary Prescott in Portsmouth, NH. They used the funds to build Prescott Park. The Prescott sisters, are directly responsible for the creation of what is now known as Prescott Park. Prescott Park includes over 10 acres of fountains and waterfront gardens along the Piscataqua River. There are a number of historic warehouses that were preserved from destruction such as the Sheaf Warehouse that outfitted the USS Ranger captained by John Paul Jones.
Duration: 7 minutes
Stop At: Rye Harbor State Park, 1730 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870-2210
Will stop here briefly and talk about the captain John Smith Memorial about his 1614 visit to the area.
Duration: 8 minutes
Pass By: Fuller Gardens, 10 Willow Ave, North Hampton, NH 03862-2228
Pass by the scenic mansions and gardens down a beautiful country road.
Stop At: Wentworth by the Sea, A Marriott Hotel & Spa, 588 Wentworth Rd, New Castle, NH 03854, USA
The Wentworth-By-The-Sea has been a historic landmark in New Castle since it was built by the Campbell family in 1874. Local beer tycoon Frank Jones, expanded the hotel after he bought it in 1879 and owned it until his death in 1902. The hotel housed the delegates to the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth in 1905 that ended the Russo-Japanese War. The exclusive luxury hotel, had visitors such as Prince Charles, Roosevelts, Kennedys and a host of other celebrities. In the 1980s, the hotel closed its doors with the uncertainty of ever opening again. With the downturn of the economy, the hotel went into complete disarray.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: North Hampton State Beach, 27 Ocean Blvd, North Hampton, NH 03862-2325
One of the best places on our route with the best views. North Hampton Beach is calm, peaceful and there are views of swank Little Boars Head and the Isles of Shoals.
Duration: 5 minutes
Pass By: Odiorne Point State Park, Route 1A, Rye, NH 03870-2104
Odiorne State Park was a “true wilderness” until about 400 years ago. The first people to discover Odiorne Point were the Abenaki and Penacook Native American tribes. They referred to Odiorne Point as “Pennaway” and only stopped in the area when passing through. During this time, they took advantage of the plentiful resources all around. This included fishing on the coast and digging in the sand for clams and mussels. Permanent settlement began in the 1600’s. In 1623, an Englishman by the name of David Thompson sailed on a ship named the Jonathan, that planned to settle along the coast of New England. This ship would be the first to settle in New Hampshire on Odiorne Point. Years later in 1660, John Odiorne joined this settlement and went on to acquire many acres of land and shoreline including what is now the state park and would later be named after John Odiorne. Also located on this site are multiple forts and bunkers that date back to the Civil War.
