It all radiates from Market Square, where there's an old music hall that's still used as a theater for artsy films and live performances. Coffee and cake spill out on to the brick sidewalks in front of Breaking New Grounds and Popovers. Meals are never hit or miss here, as there is one great restaurant after another in and around Portsmouth. In season, lunch can be as easy as a lobster roll enjoyed as a picnic on the waterfront at Prescott Park, but all year round chefs strive to incorporate local ingredients into their menus.

A day ‘downtown' often begins with breakfast or brunch at The Friendly Toast, where all kinds of breakfasts, from oatmeal and omelets to eggs benedict, waffles and pancakes are served on mismatched and well-worn china in an old-fashioned diner atmosphere. From there, Girlawhirl can hit the streets walking because she's only about a block from Market Square.

Market, Congress and Bow Streets have great galleries and shops that sell works of art, from handcrafted jewelry, scarves and wood and ceramic tableware at Worldly Goods to blown glass at Not Just Mud!. The second Friday of the month is when nine local galleries host the Art Walk, inviting everyone in for wine and nibbles and a chance to check out the new exhibits and shows.

Deer Street is considered the fashion avenue of town, with handbags and shoes from Stiletto, jewelry at Chrisrial, all the right things at Ashley & Victoria and pretty lingerie at La Femme Intimates. On Daniel Street there are home goods at City and Country, gorgeous linens at Somnia on Congress Street, and around the corner on Pleasant Street, kitchen gadgets plus the jams, mustards, mixes and sauces that have made Stonewall Kitchen famous are available at their store.

The historical significance of Portsmouth isn't lost on Girlawhirl as she walks through town. St John's Episcopal Church has a rare Vinegar Bible. Strawbery Banke is the original neighborhood that was settled in the 1620's and today, many of those houses and stores still exist. The steeple in Market Square, on top of North Church, which is currently being restored, is considered the landmark of Portsmouth. It's the highest point in town and serves as a beacon to the community.

There's more information about the Seacoast area and Portsmouth at portsomouthnh.com.

Ashley & Victoria	39 & 59 Deer St	603 427 2400
Azure	4 Market St	603 431 3448
Breaking New Grounds	14 Market Sq	603 436 9555
Chrisrial & Co	28 Deer St	603 431 3222
City and Country	50 Daniel St	603 433 5353
Friendly Toast	121 Congress St	603 430 2154
La Femme Intimates	59 Deer St	603 430 0210
Me & Ollie's Café	10 Pleasant St	603 436 7777
Not Just Mud!	1 Bow St	888 211 0311
Popovers On The Square	Market Sq	603 431 1119
Somnia	107 Congress St	603 433 7600
Stiletto	28 Deer St	603 436 4633
Stonewall Kitchen	10 Pleasant St	603 422 7303
Worldy Goods	37 Congress St	603 436 9311

And specific listings for downtown click here.

There's even a special website for Deer Street.