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Portsmouth

Perched on the edge of the Piscataqua River, Portsmouth is one of New Hampshire's most elegant towns, with a historical center set with tree-lined streets and 18th-century Colonial buildings. Despite its venerable history as an early hub of America's maritime industry, the town exudes a youthful energy, with tourists and locals filling its many restaurants and cafes. Numerous museums and historic houses allow visitors a glimpse into the town's multilayered past, while its proximity to the coast brings both lobster feasts and periodic days of fog that blanket the waterfront.

Still true to its name, Portsmouth remains a working port town, and its economic vitality has been boosted by the naval shipyard (actually located across the river in Maine) and by the influx of high-tech companies.

Explore Portsmouth

Strawbery Banke Museum
Spread across a 10-acre site, the Strawbery Banke Museum is an eclectic blend of period homes that date back to the 1690s. Costumed guides recount tales…
Wentworth Gardner House
This 1760 structure is one of the finest Georgian houses in the US. Elizabeth and Mark Hunking Wentworth were among Portsmouth's wealthiest and most…
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Moffatt-Ladd House
Originally built by an influential ship captain for his son, the Georgian Moffatt-Ladd House was later the home of General William Whipple, a signer of…
John Paul Jones House
This former boardinghouse is where America's first great naval commander resided in Portsmouth. Jones, who uttered, 'I have not yet begun to fight!'…
U
USS Albacore
Like a fish out of water, this 205ft-long submarine is now a beached museum on a grassy lawn. Launched from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1953, the…
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Market Square
The heart of Portsmouth is this picturesque square, set neatly beneath the soaring white spire of the North Church. Within a few steps of the square are…
W
Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion
This 42-room place south of the town center was home to New Hampshire's first royal governor and served as the colony's government center from 1741 to…
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Nahcotta
Nahcotta is one of Portsmouth's key galleries, located in the historical center.
P
Prescott Park
Overlooking the Piscataqua River, this small, grassy park with gardens makes a pleasant setting for a picnic. More importantly, it's the leafy backdrop to…

Strawbery Banke Museum
Spread across a 10-acre site, the Strawbery Banke Museum is an eclectic blend of period homes that date back to the 1690s. Costumed guides recount tales…
Wentworth Gardner House
This 1760 structure is one of the finest Georgian houses in the US. Elizabeth and Mark Hunking Wentworth were among Portsmouth's wealthiest and most…
M
Moffatt-Ladd House
Originally built by an influential ship captain for his son, the Georgian Moffatt-Ladd House was later the home of General William Whipple, a signer of…
John Paul Jones House
This former boardinghouse is where America's first great naval commander resided in Portsmouth. Jones, who uttered, 'I have not yet begun to fight!'…
U
USS Albacore
Like a fish out of water, this 205ft-long submarine is now a beached museum on a grassy lawn. Launched from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1953, the…
M
Market Square
The heart of Portsmouth is this picturesque square, set neatly beneath the soaring white spire of the North Church. Within a few steps of the square are…
W
Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion
This 42-room place south of the town center was home to New Hampshire's first royal governor and served as the colony's government center from 1741 to…
N
Nahcotta
Nahcotta is one of Portsmouth's key galleries, located in the historical center.
P
Prescott Park
Overlooking the Piscataqua River, this small, grassy park with gardens makes a pleasant setting for a picnic. More importantly, it's the leafy backdrop to…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Portsmouth.

See
Strawbery Banke Museum
Spread across a 10-acre site, the Strawbery Banke Museum is an eclectic blend of period homes that date back to the 1690s. Costumed guides recount tales…
See
Wentworth Gardner House
This 1760 structure is one of the finest Georgian houses in the US. Elizabeth and Mark Hunking Wentworth were among Portsmouth's wealthiest and most…
See
Moffatt-Ladd House
Originally built by an influential ship captain for his son, the Georgian Moffatt-Ladd House was later the home of General William Whipple, a signer of…
See
John Paul Jones House
This former boardinghouse is where America's first great naval commander resided in Portsmouth. Jones, who uttered, 'I have not yet begun to fight!'…
See
USS Albacore
Like a fish out of water, this 205ft-long submarine is now a beached museum on a grassy lawn. Launched from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1953, the…
See
Market Square
The heart of Portsmouth is this picturesque square, set neatly beneath the soaring white spire of the North Church. Within a few steps of the square are…
See
Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion
This 42-room place south of the town center was home to New Hampshire's first royal governor and served as the colony's government center from 1741 to…
See
Nahcotta
Nahcotta is one of Portsmouth's key galleries, located in the historical center.
See
Prescott Park
Overlooking the Piscataqua River, this small, grassy park with gardens makes a pleasant setting for a picnic. More importantly, it's the leafy backdrop to…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Portsmouth

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