Portsmouth is located in New Hampshire's Scenic Seacoast Region and only 50 miles from Boston. The city of 23,000 sits near the mouth of the Piscataqua River which divides New Hampshire and Maine. The city also is at the hub of a metropolitan region that includes several small cities and many towns. Portsmouth was settled in 1623 and was a bustling area until the late 1800s when rail travel did in the shipping industry. John Paul Jones' ship The Ranger was built here.
Things to do in Portsmouth
Atlantic Fishing Fleet
Charter boats. Located at Rye Harbor State Marina. Call 603-964-5220 for more information.
Bicycle Bob's
Over thirty years experience in bicycles. They offer sales, rentals and service of bicycles. Accessories can also be purchased from them, such as helmets, trailers, baby joggers and more. Their collection of bikes includes Thule, Raleigh, Kona, Litespeed, Fuji, Redline and more. Call 603-436-2453 for more information.
990 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH
Children's Museum of Portsmouth
The Children's Museum of Portsmouth is a hands-on arts and sciences museum for children of all ages offering engaging exhibits, daily art and science activities, family programs and workshops. Call 603-436-3853 for more information.
280 Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH
Fort Constitution Historic Site
Fort Constitution Historic Site can be found roughly three miles west of Portsmouth, NH. Visitors can see the remnants of the fort and other buildings at this park, which looks over Pisquatua River and the Atlantic Ocean. Located off NH Route 1B in New Castle. Call 603-436-1552 for more information.
Fort Stark Historic Site
Fort Stark Historic Site is found in New Castle, about three miles west of Portsmouth, NH. The visitor center here is open by appointment only, however visitors can still enjoy the history of the area with a hiking trail that traverses this 10-acre park. Located off NH Route 1B in New Castle. Call 603-436-1552 for more information.
Ghostly Tours
They offer candlelit tours of Old Portsmouth. Learn all the ghost stories, witch tales and folklore. Perform authentic witch spells and understand the mysteries of death, such as why black is worn at funerals? They offer activities for families, conventions, birthday parties, weddings and more. Call 207-363-0000 for more information.
49 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth, NH
Governor John Langdon House
A circa-1784 home, Governor John Langdon House features fine furniture and a garden.
143 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth, NH
Isles of Shoals Steamship Company
Cruises available from April through December, offering many ways to experience the beautiful waters of the New Hampshire/Maine coast, including sightseeing cruises, party ships, private charters & weddings. Call 603-431-5500 for more information.
315 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH
Jackson House
Constructed in 1660, is the oldest house in Portsmouth. From June through October, the house is open the first Saturday of each month. Call 603-436-3205 for more information.
76 Northwest Street, Portsmouth, NH
John Paul Jones House
Open from Memorial Day to the middle of October, John Paul Jones House (1758) is the former home of the captain of The Ranger Call 603-436-8420 for more information.
43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH
Moffatt-Ladd House
The former residence of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Moffat-Ladd House is a circa 1760 home. A perennial garden is one of the striking features of this historic home. Call 603-436-8221 for more information.
154 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH
Not Just Mud's
This museum showcases a large collection of handblown art glass by some of the best glassblowers in the USA. Choose from over ninety amazing glass artists' work. Glass artwork is made into vases, vessels, paperweights, perfume bottles, goblets, platters and more. Other art showcased includes pottery, kaleidoscopes, knives, jewelry and much more. Call 603-433-4120 for more information.
8 Bow Street, Portsmouth, NH
Pease Golf Course
Large eighteen-hole golf course built in 1901. The golf course was taken over in 1956 by the Pease Air Force. The course is par seventy-one with a driving range, two practice greens and a grill. Tee time reservations are available and are recommended. Located on Pease AFB. Call 603-433-1331 for more information.
200 Grafton Drive, Portsmouth, NH
Portland Children's Museum
This childrens museum offers a large amount of exhibits. Children can enjoy being a palaeontologist, scientist, astronaut, musician, fisherman, dentist and more. Facilities include a trolley, toys, science tools and much more. They offer many programs for children, such as the Junior Science Explorers. Call 603-436-3853 for more information.
280 Marcy Street, Portland, NH
Portsmouth Country Club
Golf along The Great Bay. Breakfast Hill would be a better entry for golf: award-winning 18-hole public course, voted one of America’s best. Call 603-436-9791 for more information.
339 Breakfast Hill Road, Greenland, NH
Portsmouth Harbor Cruises
Enjoy a tour of the harbor and see over four hundred years of local and American history. Tours of the Isles of Shoals are available; the tour shows nine legendary islands. Evening tours can be accommodated and offer sights of lighthouses and city lights. Call 603-436-8084 for more information.
64 Ceres Street, Plymouth, NH
Portsmouth Kayak Adventures
Enjoy a two-and-a-half hour guided kayak tour of the Piscataqua River Basin. Discover the basics of kayaking by local guides. A deposit is required for all bookings. Visa and MasterCard are both accepted. Call 603-559-1000 for more information.
Rundlet-May House
Rundlet-May House, the former home of merchant James Rundlet, is open for touring from June through October. Call 603-436-3205 for more information.
364 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH
Seacoast Repertory Theater
Enjoy live theater all year long in the heart of historic downtown. Call 603-433-4793 for more information.
125 Bow Street, Portsmouth, NH
Strawbery Banke
New Hampshire's oldest seacoast neighborhood. Experience over 350 years of local history. Many special events and children's educational programs. Closed January. Call 603-433-1100 for more information.
Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH
The Music Hall
Portsmouth's historic theater presents live shows and movie festivals. It all happens at The Music Hall. Call 603-436-2400 for more information.
28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth, NH
USS Albacore Museum
Albacore Park is the site of a world-famous submarine, the Portsmouth-built USS Albacore, and of a memorial garden honoring those who lost their lives while serving aboard American submarines. Call 603-436-3680 for more information.
600 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH
Warner House
Located in downtown Portsmouth, this house was home to a family and six generations to follow. This house is the first brick mansion built in New England. It was built in 1716 for Captain Archibald Macpheadris. The house is named after the Portsmouth merchant Jonathan Warner. Call 603-436-8420 for more information.
150 Daniel Street, Portsmouth, NH
Wentworth-Coolidge State Historic Mansion
Home of Benning Wentworth (New Hampshire's first royal governor), Wentworth-Coolidge State Historic Mansion is open to the public from June - September on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Located on Little Harbor Road . Call 603-436-6607 for more information.
Worldly Goods
This gallery features fine contemporary handcraft, including pottery, metal, glass and wood. Located in Market Square. Call 603-436-9311 for more information.
37 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH