During our visit in early May there were few people here making for a quiet visit. There are…read moreseveral picnic tables and a few benches scattered around the property with beautiful views of the water. This fort was active through many wars and then decommissioned while building a protective wall around the property. Huge slabs of quarried stone, partually carved blocks and lots of stone 'chips' are scattered about. There are a few information signs detailing the history of Fort McClary and some buildings have signs that state the building purpose. Foundations of some buildings is all that remains. They have a few cannons on display. Check out their website for information on events and when the fort is manned. There is a seperate picnic grove up the road about 50 yards across the street. A dirt parking lot holds around a dozen vehicles or so and there is an 'RV turn around' area, but no parking for RV's or busses here. One outhouse is located past the end of the parking lot. There is a wooded trail at the back corner.

they have been shooting off loud cannons all weekend. we live right across the harbor in new…read morecastle, nh and the cannon noise goes on until after 9 pm at night scaring our small children and dogs. it is unnecessary and when we called dalton richardson the park manager at 207-357-3642 we got nothing but blather and defensiveness. this is an incredibly poorly managed park with no oversite to the people shooting off the revolutionary war cannons and no interest in what the public cares about.

The Wiggly Bridge is a narrow pedestrian suspension bridge that stands in York, Maine. Located just…read moreoff of Maine State Route 103 (Lilac Lane), the 75-foot-long bridge crosses the tidal flow from Barrel Mill Pond to the York River. Built in the 1930s, it is believed to be the smallest suspension bridge in the United States. The bridge provides access to the Steedman Woods Nature Preserve and is a popular feature of the Fisherman's Walk trail. Originally known as the "Barrel Bridge", local lore claims that it earned its current name from a perceptive group of Girl Scouts who noted the bridge's "wiggly" nature. When walked upon, the deck bounces and flexes, banging back and forth in the anchorages. Many native southern Mainers can share their own childhood memories of leaping over the edge into the water and being pushed underneath with the current, one way or the other depending on the tide. This practice, as well as clam digging and any other possibly damaging activity, is now discouraged due to the erosion of mudflats. The Wiggly Bridge stands out as an iconic landmark and a must-visit destination for anyone looking to immerse themselves in York, Maine's unique charm and natural splendor. Steedman Woods is also a great place to visit. A nice stroll on the trails in this lush and tranquil forest offer scenic viewpoints and picturesque spots that showcase the breathtaking beauty of the Maine coast. Parking near the Wiggly Bridge is limited, so you may need to park on the side of Route 103 or in a nearby harbor lot, keeping in mind some spots may require a permit or have time restrictions. It is also possible to walk to the bridge from nearby York Village.

Cute little bridge that you can definitely jump on! Having been to other suspension bridges, I can…read moresay this one is just as wiggly as Lynn Canyon in Canada. It's small obviously, not the views in the area are commanding. My only complaint is that parking is really tricky. We had to park at a store and walk a bit (not awful but not ideal). Anyway, would hike this trail again! It was relatively flat, shaded, and not crowded.

You stumble upon the burying ground without really expecting it. On the corner of a dead-end street…read moreis a statue representing Mother Africa reaching out to her children. Look down that side street and you see the monument follows the road from the statue to the end. There are plaques along the way with information about how the memorial came to be. There is a QR code you can scan for more information as well. The city did a nice job creating this memorial to those citizens who were buried and forgotten to time. Who were not seen as deserving of a burial in sacred ground. Whose names and lives not deemed worthy of remembering. A much deserved memorial.

Portsmouth did a great job at paying respects to the Black residents who were buried here. It is…read moresad the originally they did not, actually painful. In 2003, construction workers discovered the site while doing work on the street. They found the remains of Black Portsmouth residents. A 1705 map sited the cemetery but the site was paved over. By the 1800s houses were on the site and the cemetery was gone. A sewer line went through the coffins. The Black residents were buried in the same fashion as white residents at the time. Sadly they do not know who they are. To correct the disrespect, the city built the memorial park that is here today. If you have time, I highly recommend doing the Black Heritage Trail.

We had an incredible time on our bike tour with Donna. We did the 3 hr tour hitting every part of…read morePortsmouth. Our e-bikes worked great and were very comfortable. Donna was a true historian of the area and told us all about the history and prominent sites with her enthusiastic energy which made it truly interesting. Our ride was challenging enough to keep us active and moving while being totally doable. What a great way to see the area in a way that would be very difficult to do on your own as a visitor. I highly recommend it!

Really great tour. The guide was spectacular. Coming from a former horse trail guide myself I have…read moreto say she was beyond amazing. Incredibly informative and knew so much history about the town. She was super friendly and really nice. Made everyone feel extremely comfortable when riding and knowing the rules. The ride itself was extremely scenic and beautiful. I didn't give it 5 stars due to this site as they will sometimes put the higher stars lower and because the quality of the bikes. 2 bikes had issues while riding. One was the one I was riding. I would have given less stars because of the bikes, but the guide was so amazing I upped the stars. Truly the company needs to invest in better quality of bikes. You get what you pay for. Again, fantastic guide!

this light sits behind the coast guard station in portsmouth harbor and is thoroughly inaccessible…read moresince the plannedemic according to the goat keepers which kind of detracts from the whole "let's go see some historic lighthouses" experience but slightly enhances the "we're already here so let's go have a look" and "do you think the coast guard is hiding something back there?" aspects of the trip so it's almost a push. original tower erected in 1771 was the first light north of bean-town; the current forty-eight foot tower was built in 1878, the focal plane for the fixed green light is 52' up and visible for 12 nautical miles give or take... automated in 1960 the light is still in use and the coast guard still holds title but the 'merican lighthouse foundation holds license since 2000 with the local chapter acting as stewards and fixing whatever needs it. the light is supposedly open to the public a few days each year but not right now because of storm damage and the impending change of seasons.

With Fort Constitution closed, all opportunities to visit the lighthouse are null. You can see…read moreanother lighthouse at the distance, in an island and maybe available with a boat, but the Portsmouth Harbor lighthouse is not available. You can walk around, go into street that lead to the area, but the lighthouse is not visible from the street unless you go further. Basically, skip until the fort is open again.

A fun and interesting way to spend some time in Portsmouth. I visited town during off-season and…read morethis was one of the few tourist attractions still open. Touring the actual sub can be done in 20-30 min. If you're claustrophobic, the first couple areas are tight but it soon opens up. If you have mobility issues, it'll be tough to maneuver. This doesn't take away from my experience but something to consider for others. The attached museum/gift shop is nice and packs in a lot. It's a one time visit for me but glad I went.

This was an amazing experience!! We went on a whim and as someone who knows nothing about…read moresubmarines, I learned so much and it was super engaging. The self guided tour has little speakers with buttons along the way that tells you all about how the ship works and amazing stories from the crew! The inside museum was really cool as well!! There's a periscope inside that you can move around and look all around the area surrounding the building! A documentary about the ship plays on loop inside as well. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and they were excited to talk about the submarine! The prices are 1000% worth it and I would totally do this again if I was in the area. They have tons of memorabilia to look at and gifts to buy as well! We will be back!!

Certainly historic, rarely open . Go on a festival day like Cider Day…read more The inside is pry so the old construction is visible, but no furniture or decorations.9

Historical cemetery, close to the harbour includes information on 'note worthy' residents. Many…read moreexamples of early New England headstone motifs. Easy to walk to from Prescott park. No parking in the area. There is a turn style to enter and exit making it *not* ADA accessible. This feature also prevents pets from entering, fyi.

Established in 1671, this is one of the oldest cemeteries in New Hampshire! I'm obsessed with…read morememento mori and this burying ground had so many fine, surprisingly well preserved examples of early headstone artistry by many local sculptors - it's so impressive that I visited twice during my time in New England! The oldest headstone I found dated all the way back to 1682! There are records of earlier burials here, but any headstones prior to 1682 were destroyed by cattle grazing from the original land owner's cattle, Capt John Pickering II. But there are several headstones still very well preserved from the late 1600s and early-mid 1700s - it's amazing! Another popular draw to this particular burying ground is rumors of it being very haunted!! The first ever house fire to be reported on in a newspaper in America tragically claimed two victims buried here - Elizabeth Elaston and Elizabeth Rogers - and supposedly they haunt these grounds - and their headstones are joined together and very beautifully preserved. It's one of the smaller burying grounds around New England - but it's beautiful and surrounded by a huge park right on the picturesque Piscataqua River - also right next to the Strawberry Banke museum and a few other small museums - so there's a lot to do in the area. Parking can be a challenge as it's mostly street parking but if you're visiting the Strawberry Banke museum they have a lot of parking. Pro Tip: grab a most delicious lobster roll and slice of homemade pie right down the street at Geno's - you won't regret it!!

I discovered Fort Foster almost two years ago when I decided to explore Kittery. I was looking to…read morespend a bit more time along the pristine coast of Maine and enjoy the sounds of the ocean again. What I didn't expect to find was just how perfect this location was and how the seasons change the overall experience of walking along the beach trails. During late spring to early fall, charcoal grills are installed along the abundant picnic tables so the scent of grilled meats permeate the air and boast of good times. When the grills are removed for the rest of the "off-season", the crowds become much smaller and the sound of the ocean becomes the main soundtrack. But this time around, after missing several opportunities to witness how snow transforms Fort Foster, I finally had the chance to see the magic happen. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of magical white blanketing this whole area in a peaceful glow. The clouds, the utter silence, and the cold but refreshing breeze that bites deep reminding you what it feels like to still be alive is a magic that cannot be replaced. I love it here and I finally can say that I've loved this place truly through all the seasons.

Remnants of the historic Fort Foster and Battery Chapin can be found at this hidden gem of a park…read morein Kittery, Maine. Fort Foster was commissioned in 1900 following the Spanish American War to protect the harbor underwater minefields. Originally, Battery Chapin was equipped with large mounted guns and a spotlight. The fort ceased operation after WWII and was left idle by the military. Local residents petitioned to turn the grounds into the park that stands today. The park has great views of two lighthouses and other historic structures in the bay and across the shore. There are plenty of picnic tables and a slightly dated playground for the kids. I was able to climb the aging stairs of the Battery Chapin and explore across the structure, but I had to be careful as there are no handrails and the stairs are narrow. The fort is interesting. There is plenty of parking during off season and there was no admission. (There may be admission during peak season, I couldn't tell). Portable potties are available in the parking lot. The park is a great place to bring kids, walk the dog or just have a peaceful afternoon. Lots of history and beauty to enjoy.

A nice little museum but it really isn't John Paul Jones' house. The house depicts the history of…read morePortsmouth but JPJ simply stayed at the home but it was not his. The historical value is in the rehab and Portsmouth artifacts contained in the house. The exhibition on the Portsmouth Peace Treaty is really good, they should actually highlight that more than the JPJ side of it. The Museum shop is very small and not much to look at. Overall it is ok but I would rather spend my time on another stop.

If you're a history buff you will no doubt like this place. It's full of period pieces, great…read morestoryboards, historical charm and provides a great sense of what living here during the late 18th century would have been like. After having toured John Paul Jones' tomb at the Naval Academy in Annapolis and getting a great history lesson there from our tour guide, we were anxious to stop at this house during our recent visit to Portsmouth. Conveniently, it was right around the corner from our hotel! The house is run by the Portsmouth Historical Society who have done a great job re-establishing the home to its current state after what we learned were years of neglect. With volunteer help and amazing contributions of historical furniture and other items from committed supporters, the home really does bring you into the age of John Paul Jones. I didn't mind the $5 senior citizen admission charge knowing that it was going to support the upkeep and maintenance of such a historic place. The representative from the Historical Society provided an excellent narrative of the significance of the home and all that is contained therein. Very informative. Then we were free to wonder at our leisure. What was a surprise, however, was that this was really NOT John Paul Jones' house. Yes, he rented a room here on two occasions during the construction of war ships. I was under the mistaken impression that he owned this house. Turns out that he was just a boarder here. Nonetheless, you'll get a good overview of his life and the significance of the man known as the Father of the U.S. Navy.