The Perfect New England Getaway...

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Prescott Park, Portsmouth 

I love discovering little nooks like these.

Gardens near Prescott Park

Getting ready to see Annie at the outdoor theater, Prescott Park

If you are looking for a New England get away, I suggest Portsmouth. We went there a couple of years ago and I wrote this mini city guide with some pics of the beaches and recommendations for shops and restaurants. This time around we fell in love with a Caribbean seafood place called the Blue Mermaid, with seafood paella and plantain encrusted cod. Try the carrot coconut rum drink, too. Yum!

If you have kids you really should plan your visit around the shows at Prescott Park, an outdoor theater right next to the ocean. There's a lovely garden perfect for a little picnic and glass of wine.

Portsmouth is a great place to spend a couple of days at the beach, hit a show at the park, do a little shopping downtown and have a sweet little vaca.