Portsmouth Market Square

Market Square is a hub of activity year-round. On any given day, the streets are filled with shoppers, diners, and tourists. Holiday parades, film festivals, races, concerts, and more make this epicenter even more entertaining. Guided tours are available twice weekly from the Market Square kiosk, though also available are a variety of tours that focus on the architecture, history, culture, and cuisine of Market Square and Portsmouth.

• Dedicated bicycle and motorbike parking is available around the square
• The Portsmouth Athenaeum on the corner is one of the last remaining membership libraries in the country.
• A seasonal downtown bus loop serves Market Square.

Portsmouth Market Square is in downtown Portsmouth where Market Street, Daniel Street, and Pleasant Street intersect. Three bus routes stop at the Market Square bus stop, though it’s easily accessible on foot from most of historic downtown Portsmouth. The Hanover Garage is one block away; it’s the closest major parking lot.

Portsmouth Market Square is a shopping and dining center, so you can come down to sightsee, take a walking tour, shop the boutiques, or have a meal. If you have evening plans, such as tickets to a show at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club or The Music Hall, make reservations at a restaurant in Market Square to ensure you’re seated for the show’s start. June’s Market Day, Halloween, and Christmas are the most festive times to visit.

As the center of the historic district, much of Portsmouth radiates from Market Square. The Portsmouth Harbour Trail and Portsmouth Black History Trail both cross through and around Market Square, offering an easy and accessible way to continue learning about local history.