Living on the Seacoast one of the best things to do is be a tourist in your own backyard. Walking is one of my all time favorite activities. I am blessed to have lived in downtown Portsmouth for 20 years. Portsmouth is the ultimate walking town on the Seacoast. From my current home I can walk to the office, church, the library, dozens of restaurants, 2 theaters, Prescott Park, Hannaford's Supermarket and 2 pharmacies. There is never a dull moment living in Portsmouth. On any given nght you can find live music, dancing, buskers on the street, fishing off the piers, darts, pool, movies, book groups and more.

My all time favorite walk is, of course the Downtown Loop. Coming in on State Street by the John Paul Jones House and the Rockingham Hotel go all the way down to the end - to the right is Marcy Street and Prescott Park and to the left is Bow Street and Daniel Street. The Park is a great place for a stroll amongst the gardens and fountains. For a long walk down by the river - don't forget the Eastern Trail out on Pierce Island.

If you follow Bow Street it will take you past the Seacoast Repertory Theatre and into the heart of the decks along the river and the tugs on Ceres Street. At the end of Bow Street hang a left onto Market Street and within a couple of blocks you are in the heart of Market Square in front of the North Church.

If you are looking for more of a walk along the ocean there are two to choose from that I recommend. The first would be Odiorne Point State Park. There are very well marked trails all through the area. Forests, tide pools, vast ocean vistas, and a freshwater marsh are great for exploring, meandering and bird watching.

The second ocean walk would be the sidewalk path that goes from North Hampton State Beach to the Rye Beach Club and back. Metered parking at the North Hampton State Beach during the season. So be prepared with quarters. This walk is about 4 miles round trip directly along the coast.

The Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth boasts a 4 mile network of trails including a 1/4 mile fitness trail with 14 fitness stations. The paths take you through a mixed deciduous forest, northern hardwood, saltmarsh wetlands, red pine plantations and a stand of mature blue spruce. This is also a great area to do some cross country skiing in the winter. Some walkways are wheelchair-accessible and there are several gardens.

And finally the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge out at the Pease International Tradeport features two trails that are ripe with wildlife sightings. Peverly Pond Trail is 1/2 mile long takes you through the forest to Peverly Pond. Along the way look out for beavers, turtles and migratory birds. The Ferry Way Trail is a 2 mile loop to Furber Strait where Little Bay enters Great Bay. Along the shore line you might spot osprey, red tail hawks, kingfishers and possibly even a bald eagle. White tail deer and turkey are also out in this area.

So there are five of my favorite walks. Hope you get out and enjoy one or all of them.