If you’re looking for a fun summer evening on the New Hampshire Seacoast, the Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth hosts one of the most charming concert series in coastal New England. Tuesdays on the Terrace runs from mid-June through late August, with live acoustic performances every Tuesday on the open-air Kennebunk Savings Terrace. The lineup spans blues, folk, soul, Americana, country, and even a couple of kids’ nights, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The beauty of basing yourself in this corner of the New Hampshire Seacoast is how much there is to do beyond the concert at the Strawberry Banke Museum. There are so many things to do in Portsmouth, NH, including wandering Market Square, taking a harbor cruise, or settling into waterfront seafood dining. If you want to explore beyond Portsmouth, there are plenty of things to do in Exeter, less than 30 minutes away, from live concerts at its iconic bandstand to a vibrant farmers market and a charming downtown. For those who love New Hampshire coastal towns, this corner of the seacoast gives you plenty of reasons to stay for a few days.
One of the best hotels in Exeter, New Hampshire, our boutique hotel is right in the center of downtown and the ideal home base for your adventure. Our award-winning 1809 historic inn sits less than 30 minutes from Portsmouth, making it easy to attend a Tuesday evening concert at the Strawberry Banke Museum. After the music winds down, you come home to beautifully appointed guest rooms, a full breakfast waiting in the morning, and warm, unhurried hospitality. Book your stay today!
Attend a Strawberry Banke Museum Summer Concert
Strawbery Banke Museum, one of New Hampshire’s most significant historical sites, is an authentic 10-acre outdoor history museum in the heart of Portsmouth that brings centuries of American history to life through 32 historic buildings, eight heritage gardens, costumed role-players, traditional crafts, and hands-on exhibits. Every summer, that same historic setting becomes the backdrop for Tuesdays on the Terrace, one of the most atmospheric live music series on the New Hampshire Seacoast.
The Strawberry Banke Museum outdoor concert series runs from June through August, with performances from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the open-air Kennebunk Savings Terrace, surrounded by the museum’s historic houses and heirloom gardens. With the beautiful, historic backdrop, it’s an experience that’s hard to replicate anywhere else on the New Hampshire Seacoast.
The music spans acoustic, Americana-inspired sounds and well beyond, with a different local or regional act taking the stage each week. The caliber of musicians who show up for this series is impressive, which is why people continue attending the concerts summer after summer.
The setup at the Strawberry Banke Museum is relaxed and family-friendly. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and claim your spot on the grass near the terrace. The Strawberry Banke Museum offers ice cream, popcorn, cotton candy, and grab-and-go snacks for purchase, and DeeLuxe Bartending is on-site, selling beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic dinner. For families with young children, the series includes a couple of dedicated kids’ nights, featuring a mix of magic, balloons, bubbles, foam, and STEAM-based entertainment.
There is a small ticket fee for the general public, and admission is free for Strawbery Banke Museum members and children under 3. While tickets are available at the door, registering in advance is strongly recommended to secure your spot and receive any weather-related updates. If a concert needs to be moved to the indoor venue, the Lawrence J. Yerdon Visitors Center, the museum notifies pre-registered guests by 2 p.m. the day of the concert.
Parking at Strawbery Banke Museum is limited, so plan to arrive early or skip the museum lot altogether and head straight to one of Portsmouth’s two downtown garages, Hanover Street or Foundry Place, both of which are conveniently close to the museum grounds.
Stay at One of the Best Hotels in Exeter, New Hampshire
A summer evening at Strawbery Banke Museum calls for a place to stay that’s every bit as special, and when it comes to hotels in Exeter, New Hampshire, our boutique hotel sits in a category of its own. Just 20 minutes from Portsmouth, our lodging is housed in a beautifully preserved 1809 Federal-style mansion in historic downtown Exeter. Eight beautifully decorated rooms and suites feature antiques, fine art, and luxurious linens, with seven offering fireplaces. If you’re planning a romantic getaway in New Hampshire, we offer special packages including a Romantic Escape and an Anniversary package.
The dining alone sets our lodging apart from other hotels in Exeter, New Hampshire. Guests start each morning with an à la carte breakfast served at the inn, featuring coffee, omelets, smoked salmon toast, yogurt, and more. Come evening, two outstanding restaurants are right on the premises. Ambrose serves contemporary cuisine prepared with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Otis, housed in the hotel’s beautifully preserved Victorian-era space, focuses on Modern American food driven by local farms, with a five-course tasting menu available. Whether you’re planning a full weekend around things to do near Portsmouth, NH, or visiting for a concert at Strawbery Banke Museum, our hotel is your perfect home base. Book your stay today!