Historic seaport and popular summer tourist destination on the Piscataqua River bordering the state of Maine

General Information

Hours:

Fees:

Pet Policy:

Pets NOT allowed on top of dam or in buildings

Closest cities with hotels:

Boulder City, 7 miles

Seasons:

All year

Rating:

★ 5.0

Boulder City, NV Weather Forecast

How to Get There

Overview

Portsmouth is a city in New Hampshire and is a historic seaport and popular summer tourist destination on the Piscataqua River bordering the state of Maine.

Once one of the nation's busiest ports and shipbuilding cities, Portsmouth expressed its wealth in fine architecture. It has significant examples of Colonial, Georgian, and Federal style houses, some of which are now museums. Portsmouth's heart has stately brick Federalist stores and townhouses, built all-of-a-piece after devastating early 19th-century fires. The city was also noted for the production of boldly wood-veneered Federalist furniture, particularly by the master cabinet maker Langley Boardman.

In the 20th century, the city founded a Historic District Commission, which has worked to protect much of the city's irreplaceable architectural legacy. In 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Portsmouth one of the "Dozen Distinctive Destinations". The compact and walkable downtown on the waterfront draws tourists and artists, who each summer traverse the cafes, restaurants and shops around Market Square.

Sites of interest

USS Albacore Museum & Park - a museum featuring the USS Albacore, a U.S. Navy submarine used for testing, which was decommissioned in 1972 and moved to the park in 1985. The submarine is open for tours.
Buckminster House - built in 1725, formerly a funeral parlor.
Discover Portsmouth Center - visitor center, gallery, gift shop, John Paul Jones Historic House, walking tours, short film on the history of Portsmouth; operated by the Portsmouth Historical Society.
The Music Hall - a 900-seat theater originally opened in 1878. The theater is now run by a non-profit organization and is fully restored. The venue hosts musical acts, theater, dance and cinema.
New Hampshire Theatre Project - founded in 1986, a non-profit theater organization producing contemporary and classical works, and offering educational programs.
New Hampshire Theatre Project - founded in 1986, a non-profit theater organization producing contemporary and classical works, and offering educational programs.
North Church - historic church, the steeple of which is visible from most of Portsmouth
Pontine Theatre - produces original theater works based on the history, culture and literature of New England at their 50-seat black box venue.
The Player's Ring Theater - a black-box theater that produces original work from local playwrights.
Portsmouth Athenæum - a private membership library, museum and art gallery open to the public at certain times.
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse - first established in 1771, the current structure was built in 1878 and is open for monthly tours from May through September.
Prescott Park Arts Festival - summer entertainments in Portsmouth's waterfront park since 1974.
Seacoast Repertory Theatre - founded in 1988, a professional theater troupe.
Strawbery Banke Museum - a neighborhood featuring several dozen restored historic homes in Colonial, Georgian and Federal styles of architecture. The site of one of Portsmouth's earliest settlements.
Whaling Wall - Painting of Isles of Shoals Humpbacks created by Robert Wyland, situated on the back of Cabot House Furniture. It is in disrepair, and restoration has not been allowed by the owners of Cabot Furniture.
Four public sculptures carved by Cabot Lyford stand in the city, including "The Whale" and "My Mother the Wind," a seven-ton blank granite statue which was installed on Portsmouth's waterfront in 1975.
Portsmouth African Burying Ground - a memorial park and the only archeologically verified 18th-century African burying ground in New England.