Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Our Tourist Attractions Expert Says:
The third-oldest city in the U.S., Portsmouth, New Hampshire is full of history, from its Georgian-style homes to its historic town center and museums. Portsmouth has lush parks where you can relax and take in the scenery around you. Enjoy biking, hiking and many other activities along this beautiful seacoast city. Water park lovers will be happy to know that Portsmouth is home to New England's largest water park!
The town was founded in 1623, and a walk through Portland's historic area feels like a stroll back in time to that era. "Residents" in period costume populate the area, and at three working crafts shops, you can watch coopers, boat builders and potters at work on 17th-century trades. Today, the historic district's center, Strawbery Banke, consists of 10 downtown acres and 46 historic buildings, including Georgian-style homes that showcase18th-century prosperity. Some buildings have been restored with period furnishings and exhibits, and many are available for viewing and tours.
Begin your tour at the split-personality Drisco House, where half the house depicts life in the 1790s and half shows life in the 1950s. The Moffatt-Ladd House, built in 1763, belonged to a family of rich merchants and traders until 1913, when it became a museum. The John Paul Jones House was built in 1758. Jones, who lived there during the War of Independence, built a sloop, Ranger, believed to be the first ship to sail under the U.S. flag. A model of the ship is on display and costumed guides offer tours of this beautiful residence. Warner House, built in 1716, was the governor's mansion in the mid-18th century when Portsmouth was New Hampshire's capital. The grand brick structure with its graceful Georgian architectural elements is a favorite among architectural historians for its wall murals, which are said to be the oldest murals still in place in the U.S. The Wentworth-Gardner House is considered one of the nation's best examples of Georgian architecture. The 1760 home features many period elements, including pronounced quoins (blocks on the building's corners), pedimented window caps, plank sheathing (to make the home appear as if made of masonry), an elaborate doorway with Corinthian pilasters, a broken scroll, and a paneled door topped with a pineapple, the symbol of hospitality. The neighborhood around the Wentworth-Gardner House is a great area to walk around, with narrow lanes, twisting roads and early 19th-century wooden houses.
There are several interesting museums in Portsmouth. The Strawbery Banke Museum features New England history and culture exhibits from the 17th - 20th century. Two blocks south is the Children's Museum of Portsmouth, a lively arts and science museum offers a morning's worth of hands-on exhibits of interest to younger artisans and scientists. Popular displays include exhibits on earthquakes, dinosaurs and lobstering. Kids can also climb on a miniature yellow submarine and a space shuttle cockpit.
After your history lesson, visit New England's largest water park! At Water Country, surf the 700,000-gallon wave pool, enjoy tube rides, body rides, whirlpools and more! The kids will love the Kiddie Cove, Pirates Lagoon, and Ollie Octopus racing rapids. Other parks in Portsmouth are great for relaxing. Odiorne Point State Park has a picnic area and extensive hiking trails, and the Seacoast Science Center in the park has exhibits relating to the natural and human history of Odiorne and the seacoast area. Prescott Park, between Strawbery Banke and the water is a great place to enjoy beautiful water views and occasional festivals.
Portsmouth Golf and Counry Club and Breakfast Hill Golf Club, located in Greenland, New Hampshire, is the Seacoast's newest 18-hole public golf course. The course is situated on 170 acres featuring rolling fairways, contoured greens, picturesque woodlands and exposed granite boulders.
Shopping is fun in Portsmouth's historic district, where dozens of boutiques offer unique items including regional arts and crafts. Bibliophiles and collectors of cartography will love the Portsmouth Bookshop, which specializes in old and rare books and maps.
Enjoy Portsmouth's nightlife with live music offered at many of the various bars and taverns around town. At The Music Hall there are frequently concerts by visiting symphonies and pop artists as well as comedy and other performances. Go to one of Portsmouth's many downtown cafes for a good cup of coffee, or visit the RedHook brewery, where you can sample beer. If you spend the night in town, Portsmouth has historic inns, bed and breakfasts and seaside and harbor side resorts.
Portsmouth is located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, near the mouth of the Piscataqua River, which divides New Hampshire and Maine. The nearest airport to the area is Pease International Airport.