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Historic and Cultural Bike Tour | Historic Sites, Landmarks and Forts | 3hrs |

Historic and Cultural Bike Tour | Historic Sites, Landmarks and Forts | 3hrs |

Overview

There is so much to see when visiting the NH Seacoast, with so many sculptures, monuments, memorials, and museums! Ride with history and experience Portsmouth and New Castle's culture by bike. You'll have an opportunity to ride the safe routes to see and learn about the major historic sites. Our guides will follow along the Piscataqua River and Atlantic Ocean as we stop en route. This guided tour takes about 3 hours, including various stops near essential points of interest while your guides provide in-depth narration and stop for photo opportunities at famous sights and hidden gems throughout the tour. Your guide will take you to the most significant and interesting preserved historic houses and landmarks. Stop en route to hear interesting facts about each site you visit. From the bustling streets of downtown to the serene byways along the River, this tour truly brings you to most of the historic sites. We offer small and intimate tours. Arrive 30 minutes prior to your start time.

City: Portsmouth

Mon 23 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $88.00

Make a reservation

Mon 23 Dec

Starting at $88.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Expert Guide

Bicycle and Helmet

Additional Info

Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands

What To Expect

New Hampshire State Historic Marker #194 - Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion

We'll travel down this beautiful country road with protected land on both sides of the street and stop at the Wentworth Coolidge Mansion. At this most beautiful historic landmark, we'll see the back channel and you'll hear stories of the royal governor Benning Wentworth, the Boston Braman Coolidge and Little Harbor`s history.

Portsmouth

Arthur Astor Carey (1857-1923) purchased forty acres of the original Benning Wentworth farm in 1887, soon enlarging his holdings to 119 acres in partnership with his brother. In 1887-8, on the portion of his land that bordered the tidal Sagamore Creek, Carey constructed the summer home that would become known as Creek Farm. Carey chose the Boston architect Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow (1854-1934) to design his home. Longfellow was a Harvard acquaintance of Carey’s and of J. Templeman Coolidge III (1856-1945), who led a group of prominent Bostonians in establishing summer homes near Sagamore Creek. Arthur Astor Carey was an important figure in the summer colony that coalesced near Sagamore Creek during the 1880s. That colony evolved to include artists, sculptors, musicians, architects, and historians. Carey himself displayed a multitude of interests, ranging from archaeology and astronomy through art and music to sailing and fine horses.

Fort Constitution State Historic Site

Fort Constitution State Historic Site is located on a peninsula on the northeast corner of New Castle Island. It overlooks both the Piscataqua River and the Atlantic Ocean. The grounds provide a casual gathering spot for picnics. In 1791, the State of New Hampshire gave the United States the neck of land on which Fort William and Mary and a lighthouse were situated. The fort was repaired, renamed Fort Constitution and garrisoned with a company of United States artillery. Renovations, which included a wall twice as high as that of the colonial fort and new brick buildings, were completed in 1808. It is the ruins of this fort that are seen today.

New Castle

New Castle, a one-mile square island at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, has a fascinating history. Settled as a fishing village, it became the capital of the province of New Hampshire in the late 1600s. The first overt act of the Revolutionary War took place in New Castle at Fort William and Mary. Over the following years, military fortifications were constructed on the island to defend the strategic and vital entrance to Portsmouth Harbor. Many of the original island families continue to preserve New Castle’s history through their generous donation of historic documents, maps, books, photographs and artifacts. As a quaint and picturesque village, New Castle weathers the changes of time with grace!

Fort Stark State Historic Site

Fort Stark Historic Site is located on a peninsula historically called Jerry's Point on the southeast corner of New Castle Island. It overlooks the Piscataqua River, Little Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Fort Stark was named in honor of John Stark, commander of N.H. forces at the Battle of Bennington (1777). An unmarked walking trail traverses the ten-acre fort site. We’ll stop in the museum when open.

Wentworth-Gardner House

Three generations of Wentworth's ruled the area until the revolution. One of the richest families in colonial New Hampshire.

Prescott Park

The Prescott sisters, Josie and Mary, are directly responsible for the creation of what is now known as Prescott Park. Josie and Mary were public school teachers and lived in Portsmouth all of their lives. When their older brother, Charles Prescott, died he left the two sisters a sizable inheritance. Josie and Mary loved their city and long desired to see the waterfront section along what is now Marcy Street beautified and made accessible to all. In the last will and testament of Josie Prescott a private trust fund of $500,000 was set up just for this purpose. This trust's sole purpose was to purchase land parcels along the Piscataqua River from lower State Street to Pickering and Gates Street and to make this land into a public park. In 1954 with much of the land purchase accomplished this private trust and associated land were turned over to the City of Portsmouth to be administered and maintained for perpetuity. The Prescott Trust Fund, now a city trust fund, is responsible.

Four Tree Island

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was established on June 12, 1800, during the administration of President John Adams. The area has a long tradition of shipbuilding. Since colonial settlement, New Hampshire and Maine forests provided lumber for wooden boat construction. HMS Falkland, considered the first British warship built in the Thirteen Colonies, was commissioned here in 1696. The Royal Navy reserved the tallest and straightest eastern white pine trees for masts, emblazening the bark with a crown symbol. During the Revolution, the Raleigh was built in 1776 on Badger's Island in Kittery, and became the first vessel to fly an American flag into battle. Raleigh has been depicted on the Seal of New Hampshire since 1784, even though she was captured and served in the British Navy. Other warships followed, including Ranger launched in 1777; Commanded by Captain John Paul Jones, it became the first U. S. Navy vessel to receive an official salute at sea from a foreign power.

Portsmouth

Tobias Lear V (1762-1816) who made the history books as the personal secretary to George Washington. Our last Tobais Lear is best known for his detailed account of the final hours of the first president of the not-so-United States in 1799. Born and raised in the house on Hunking Street, young Toby managed to attend Governor Dummer Academy and Harvard University. By 1784, then in his early 20s, young Toby Lear was back in Portsmouth casting about for a career when, likely thanks to his Uncle Langdon, he was hired to work at Gen. George Washington’s 10,000-acre plantation at Mount Vernon, Virginia. By Washington’s death the farm was operated by more than 300 enslaved Africans. In addition to his role as private secretary, Lear also managed the finances for the farm and tutored Martha Washington’s two children from her previous marriage.

Portsmouth

The Liberty Pole A symbol of citizen engagement in times of war and peace! The tall flag pole to the east of Puddle Dock and at the entrance to Prescott Park’s public gardens is so much a part of the landscape, it might get overlooked. On January 9, 1766, what we now know as the Liberty Pole was raised by the Sons of Liberty in protest of the Stamp Act. Nine years before the beginning of the American Revolution, the Liberty Pole was a rallying point for opposition to the Stamp Act.

Show 7 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews (1)

villaguys

May 2021

This tour was fun and informative. We learn the history of the area and were able to take in incredible scenery. Our guide, Dawn, was informative and friendly. We highly recommend booking one of Port City's tours. We plan to do the coastal tour on our next visit.

Response from Host

May 2021

Thank you so much for taking the time to post a review. We are so grateful and excited that you enjoyed your tour with Dawn. We're happy that you took in the fresh air and beautiful scenery! Please look us up again and hope that you enjoyed your day.