Shopping in Portsmouth: Independent Shops Downtown

Portsmouth is one of the best small cities in New England for shopping, and the reason is simple: the shops are independent, they are close together, and the streets between them are pleasant to walk. Downtown grew up as a seaport on the Piscataqua River, and its brick streets and old storefronts now hold galleries, bookshops and gift stores rather than chandlers and warehouses. This guide covers shopping in Portsmouth NH with a focus on independent stores, plus practical tips for making a day of it.

Mid-September is an ideal time. Summer visitors have mostly gone home, it is still warm enough to wander comfortably, and shops are starting to stock up for the fall and the holidays.

Why Portsmouth is a shopping town

Portsmouth had 21,956 residents at the 2020 census, so it is not a big city. What it has is density. A historic seaport and long-standing summer destination, it built a compact downtown that you can cross on foot in a few minutes. Independent shops thrive in places like that, because people walk past windows instead of driving past signs.

The practical upshot is that you can park once and spend a whole day shopping, eating and wandering without getting back in the car. That is the best way to do it.

Galleries and gift shops

Nahcotta

Nahcotta is part gallery and part shop, built around the idea of "tangible wonder." On the art side it represents artists and sells original artwork, art prints and a line it calls Enormous Tiny Art, with rotating gallery shows. On the goods side it carries stationery, greeting cards, books, jewelry, ceramics, candles, apothecary items, kitchen and pantry goods, home decor and things for kids and babies.

It is the kind of shop where you can spend a few minutes or an hour. If you are looking for a gift that does not feel generic, start here. And if you are thinking about buying art, the gallery side lets you see work in person before you commit.

A Pleasant Shoppe

A Pleasant Shoppe sells original art, prints, gifts and accessories, and it carries work from a roster of artists, including photographers and painters. Some pieces are sold only in the store. The shop also runs classes and workshops, which turns a shopping stop into something you can do rather than just browse.

Shops that feature local artists are a good way to bring home something with a genuine sense of place. A print of the Seacoast from someone who lives here is a better souvenir than anything mass-produced.

Books, toys and games

G. Willikers! Books and Toys

G. Willikers! Books and Toys is an independent book and toy store at 13 Market Street, right in the heart of downtown. It is the obvious stop if you are shopping with kids or for them. A good independent toy and book shop is curated in a way a big-box store is not, and browsing one is part of the fun.

Because it is on Market Street, it is also easy to fold into any downtown walk. Even if you do not have children with you, it is a good place to find a gift for someone who does.

Diversions Puzzles and Games

Diversions Puzzles and Games has stores in Portsmouth and in Somersworth. It sells board games, card games and jigsaw puzzles, and it hosts game events. One thing that sets it apart is its exclusive line of Seacoast-themed 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles, made from the work of local photographers and painters and sold only in its stores.

That puzzle line is a clever souvenir: it packs flat, it is unmistakably local, and it gives you something to do on a rainy evening once you get home. As the evenings get longer in fall, a new board game is also a good excuse to have friends over.

Bricks and Minifigs

Bricks and Minifigs is a LEGO resale store in Portsmouth where you can buy, sell and trade used sets and pieces. It is part of a franchise rather than a one-off independent, and it sits on Woodbury Avenue rather than downtown, so you will want the car for this one. But for LEGO fans, a store that deals in used sets and individual pieces is a very different experience from a regular toy aisle. It also hosts parties and events.

If you have a box of old LEGO at home, ask about trading it in before you make the trip.

How to plan a shopping day in Portsmouth

• Park once. Downtown is compact. Pick a garage or lot and walk.
• Start early or late. Weekday mornings are quietest. On weekends, shops are busiest in the early afternoon.
• Group stops by street. Market Street and the streets that branch off it hold a lot of shops close together. Save outlying stores for the end of the day when you are back in the car.
• Carry a tote. You will pick things up as you go, and a bag makes the walk easier.
• Check hours ahead. Independent shops set their own hours, which can change by season. We do not list hours or prices because they change.
• Ask about shipping. Many shops will ship larger purchases, which is handy for art and anything fragile.

Making a day of it

Shopping pairs well with almost everything Portsmouth does. Strawbery Banke, an outdoor history museum in the South End with more than 37 restored buildings dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries, is a short walk from downtown and makes a good break from browsing. Downtown is also full of cafes and restaurants, so you can stop for coffee in the morning and lunch at midday without losing your place.

If you want a theme for the day, consider one of these:

• An art day: galleries and art-focused shops in the morning, a museum in the afternoon.
• A family day: books and toys, a puzzle or game shop, then a LEGO stop on the way out of town.
• A gift day: a list of people to buy for, and a shop for each. Fall is a good time to get ahead on holiday shopping before the December rush.

Why shopping local matters

Independent shops are a big part of what makes Portsmouth feel like Portsmouth. They are the reason a downtown walk is interesting rather than interchangeable with a mall. When you buy from a local gallery, bookstore or game shop, more of that money tends to stay in the community, and you get a level of curation and personal service that is hard to find elsewhere.

That does not mean you have to spend a lot. A greeting card from a local artist, a puzzle for a rainy day or a picture book for a niece all count. The point is to spend the day somewhere with character, and Portsmouth has plenty.

FAQ

Is Portsmouth NH good for shopping?

Yes. Downtown Portsmouth has a dense mix of independent galleries, gift shops, bookstores and specialty stores within easy walking distance of each other.

What is unique to buy in Portsmouth?

Local art and prints from galleries such as Nahcotta and A Pleasant Shoppe, and Seacoast-themed jigsaw puzzles made from local artists' work and sold only at Diversions Puzzles and Games.

Is there a toy store in downtown Portsmouth?

Yes. G. Willikers! Books and Toys is on Market Street downtown.

Can you walk between shops in downtown Portsmouth?

Yes. The downtown is compact, so park once and walk. Some stores, such as Bricks and Minifigs on Woodbury Avenue, are outside downtown and easier to reach by car.

Sources

• Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census, seaport and tourist destination): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth,_New_Hampshire
• Strawbery Banke, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawbery_Banke
• Nahcotta: https://www.nahcotta.com
• A Pleasant Shoppe: https://apleasantshoppe.com
• G. Willikers! Books and Toys: https://gwillikers.com
• Diversions Puzzles and Games: https://diversionsgames.com/
• Bricks and Minifigs Portsmouth: https://www.bricksandminifigs.com/portsmouth-nh