Simple, elegant stoneware says “New England” better than anything else you can use to dress your table (Ok, maybe pewter, too). Salmon Falls Stoneware on Oak Street in Dover is one of the nation's most popular makers of traditional New England salt-glazed pottery. Each pot is handmade and decorated in the Oak Street Engine House in Dover. The production studio and factory store are among New England's most popular tourist destinations. Phone: 800- 621-2030.

Forest on the Edge of the City

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One of New Hampshire's most unique natural resources is found on a quiet road on the outskirts of Portsmouth, welcoming anyone who values New Hampshire's woodlands and natural resources. The Urban Forestry Center at 45 Elwyn Road consists of 182 acres of field, forest, and salt marsh. The center is used as a tree farm, a bird and wildlife sanctuary, a garden and landscape demonstration site, and as a learning center for tree and plant identification. It has several gardens, walking trails, tree identification trail, salt marsh, and other educational displays. And, pets on leash are welcome. Trails open daily, year-round; office open weekdays. Phone: 603-431-6774.

Four Centuries of Daily Life

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Strawbery Banke Museum on Hancock Street in Portsmouth is a community composed of restored and furnished houses, exhibits, historic landscapes and gardens, and costumed role players. Together, these elements bring to life the daily activities of New England people from European settlement in the 17th century to the mid-20th century. In addition to ongoing exhibits, lots of special events take place during warm weather. Phone: 603-433-1100.

Fruit Wines, Apple Brandy, and Vodka to Taste Year-Round

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Flag Hill Vineyard and Winery at 297 North River Road in Lee has ground in 20 years from a family-operated vineyard to an established winery in this picturesque seacoast region. The winery produces more than 15 varieties of red and white wines. Owner Frank Reinhold recently secured Flag Hill as the first distillery in the state, producing distilled spirits such as General John Stark Vodka and Josiah Bartlett Apple Brandy. A new Tasting Room & Gift Store, offering events, tours, sales, and more, opened in March 2010. Open year round, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. except for major holidays. Phone: 603-659-2949.

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A Hidden Jewell

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You don’t need to be a wine connoisseur to appreciate a visit to Jewell Towne Vineyards in South Hampton, NH. You just need a map to find this small, family-owned vineyard. Guests of the winery can enjoy a guided tour through the vines before heading back to the estate’s rustic style post-and-beam barn for a complimentary wine tasting and a stroll through the art gallery, featuring works by local artists and artisans. Here you can learn about the wine-making process from the vine to the bottle, and sample some, too. Open for tastings and tours Wednesday–Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Phone: 603-394-0600.

A New Hampshire Country Store,
from Aged Cheese to Pewter Gifts

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Calef’s Country Store, at routes 9 and 125 in the Seacoast town of Barrington, has been dispensing welcome, hospitality, and good food since the horse-and-buggy days. Stop in for a deli sandwich during your explorations of the area, and, if you can, pick up some great food gifts to charm the people you left back home. These include Caleb’s Snappy Old Cheese, maple foods, jams, jellies, butter, pickles, relishes, olives, chutney, salsa and pretzel dips, soup mixes, and more. Caleb’s also carries beautiful artwork by the New Hampshire Pewter Company. Open daily. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Phone: 800-462-2118

A Taste of Tuscany on the New Hampshire Seacoast

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Zorvino Vineyards at 226 Main Street in Sandown is a small piece of Tuscany. This picturesque winery is located on 80 acres in the middle of a New England hardwood forest. The company produces wines from local New England grapes carefully tended on the property, as well as interesting varietals from grapes grown in premier winemaking regions of the world, including Tuscany, Chile and Northern California. Fruit wines also are made here. Open daily, noon to 5 p.m. Phone: 603-887-8463

Behind the Scenes <br>of a Beaux Arts Beauty Behind the Scenes
of a Beaux Arts Beauty

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The Music Hall, the landmark Victorian theater and arts center on Chestnut Street in Portsmouth, invites the public to behind-the-scenes tours of the historic theater, designated an American Treasure by the U.S. Senate. Tours, on a regular schedule, include the backstage areas, the antique front of house dating back to 1878, and the enchanting lobby renovated in 2008. The tour paints a full picture of the history of the hall, including the tales of sailors who rigged the theater in the late 19th century, its flashy and famous owners, and stars across three centuries. Its performers have ranged from Mark Twain to Wynton Marsalis and David Crosby; vaudeville acts with elephants to violinist Joshua Bell. Visitors will see the passage of time through the building’s restorations, which have brought back details dating back to 1878 and 1901, the hall’s periods of architectural significance. Phone: 603-436-2400.

Brewery Hounds Alert

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People who appreciate the fruit of the beer maker’s art should be advised to visit two local breweries in the Portsmouth area: the large Portsmouth Brewery & Cataqua Public House on Corporate Drive at Pease International Tradeport, (603-430-8600) which offers tours, samples, and a restaurant, and the Portsmouth Brewery on Market Street in downtown Portsmouth (603-431-1115). You won’t be disappointed.

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Lollipop Tree: More Than Just a Candy Store

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A visit to the historical seaside town of Portsmouth is always worthwhile, but a visit that includes a stop at the Lollipop Tree is just a little more worthwhile. The Lollipop Tree and its Factory Store at 319 Vaughan Street offer all kinds of delicious things to munch while you’re on the road or to take home for cooking, baking, and gifts. Among them: pepper jellies, artisan bread and cookie mixes, grilling & glazing sauces, jams, monkey bread mixes, pancake and scone mixes, trimmings & cookware, and gift collections. If you’re not sure how to cope with these products in the kitchen, the staff offers recipes for many products. Phone: 800-842-6691.

Portsmouth Harbour Trail Displays
400 Years of Colorful History

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Portsmouth boasts 400 years of history, culture, architecture, and scenic beauty. All are on display Portsmouth Harbour Trail tours. Join a guided walking tour and see the historic homes, tugboats and working waterfront, vibrant Market Square, Prescott Park, and more. Depending on which tour you take, you'll hear stories about the rich and famous to the humble merchants and madams who had thriving businesses here. You may also hear about the brewers and politicians, fishermen and boat builders, writers, editors, and publishers that made Portsmouth the talk of the nation in their day. Portsmouth was and is a town full of characters. Season: Memorial Day-Columbus Day. Call for schedule Phone: 603-610-5510.

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Stop to Shop

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The Seacoast region has wonderful shopping for beautiful and unusual items. The Fox Run Mall in Newington is a place to start for national names, followed by a trip to Boardwalk Strip at Hampton Beach. The cream of the shopping experience has to be Portsmouth's Market Street , crammed with art, toys, home decorations, clothing, hardware, jewelry, flowers, and more. Voted one of New England's Best Shopping Streets by Travel and Leisure Magazine.