Things to Do in the Kittery, ME Area:
Kittery is Maine’s southernmost town and a known tourist attraction. The town is most well-known for its many outlet stores, but there are so many other things to do while you visit the Kittery area! You can choose from many different harbor cruises and maritime activities in Kittery and nearby Portsmouth; whether you want a simple area tour or have interest in whale watching, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. If you want to see a show, Portsmouth and Kittery each have theaters and music halls that host multiple excellent events. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the area’s many beautiful forests, harbors, and nature trails, while anyone looking for a more relaxed vacation can visit the beach. Kittery and Portsmouth also have many interesting museums and historic homes available to visit if you want to learn more about the area’s rich history. In addition to these attractions, the Kittery region hosts a number of seasonal events that bring in all kinds of visitors. Looking for places to stay? The Water Street Inn is the perfect downtown hotel in Kittery, ME for you and your family!
If you’re planning a trip to Kittery, ME, our staff can help you pick the best time to visit. If you want to learn more about local attractions, events, and places to stay, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!
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
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 role players, watch traditional crafts demonstrations, and explore historical gardens and landscapes.
Portsmouth 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.
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.
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 Athenæum 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.
Historic Homes & Museums
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
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.
Strawberry Banke
“A place to learn, a place to gather, a place to preserve” Strawberry 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
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!
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!
Seven Rivers Paddling
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.
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
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.
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 and Soul
Take a walk to this cute little house on the hill to have the massage of your dreams.
Enjoy 10% off spa sevices 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.