Portsmouth Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Portsmouth which includes a bay or harbour
Portsmouth featuring kayaking or canoeing as well as a small group of people
Portsmouth
Portsmouth featuring a city
Portsmouth which includes kayaking or canoeing as well as a small group of people

Visitan elegant seaside city at the mouth of the Piscataqua River that excites withits maritime past, historic buildings and scenic walking trails.

Settled in 1623, Portsmouth lays claim to beingone of the oldest cities in the United States. With a rich shipbuildingheritage, a working port and a large waterfront park, there is much to fascinatethe visitor. Cruise through its waterways, learnabout maritime history and explore hundreds of years of Portsmouth’s past inits old homes.

The PortsmouthNaval Shipyard was founded in 1800 and for much of its history was a majorshipbuilding centre. One of the many submarines to roll off its launchpad wasthe USS Albacore, now a floatingmuseum. Walk through the vessel on a guided tour to find out about its years ofservice.

There is more history at the Strawbery Banke Museum, a 9.5-acre(3.8-hectare) site with 42 historic buildings. The oldest structure dates back to 1695. Tour these old properties,which contain artefacts that reveal aspects of everyday life from differenteras.

Leave the car behind for a walk throughPortsmouth’s tree-lined streets. They will take you past beautiful colonialhouses. Shop in upscale boutiques, stop by a cosy café or restaurant and visitmore historic homes. Step inside the RichardJackson House, built in 1664. This is believed to be the oldest survivingwood frame home in New Hampshire.

For a pleasant change of scenery, head to thewaterfront Prescott Park. Relax inthe flower gardens and enjoy gorgeous views of the Piscataqua River.

A delightful way to see the city is from thewater. Go for a cruise onboard a reproduction of the flat-bottom wooden bargesthat were once a regular feature on Portsmouth's waterways.

Take a short boat trip or drive across thebridge to the 27-acre (11-hectare) PierceIsland. The former site of Fort Washington is now known for its scenicwalking trails and outdoor swimming pool.

Portsmouth is roughly halfway between Boston andPortland, Maine. The drive from either of these places takes little more thanan hour. Both are also a little over an hour away by bus. Once you are inPortsmouth, many of the historic and waterfront attractions can be easilyreached on foot.

Where to stay in Portsmouth

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Downtown

If you're spending some time in Downtown, Portsmouth Harbor Trail and The Music Hall are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown
Portsmouth

West End

When in West End, you can plan a visit to The Music Hall and Portsmouth Harbor Trail, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

West End
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Pease

When in Pease, you can plan a visit to Red Hook Brewery and Fox Run Mall, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Pease
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Elwyn Park

While Elwyn Park isn't home to many top sights, Water Country and Wentworth by the Sea Golf Club are some notable places to visit nearby.

Elwyn Park
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South End

While visiting South End, you might make a stop by sights like Wentworth Gardner and Tobias Lear Houses and Children's Museum of Portsmouth.

South End
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North End

When in North End, you can plan a visit to The Music Hall and Portsmouth Brewery, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

North End
Quality Inn

Quality Inn

2.5 out of 5
1190 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH
The price is Rp3.075.408 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp3.075.408
Rp3.336.818 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portsmouth. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Perfect stay
"Very clean. Wonderful service. Lovely staff"

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Quality Inn
Port Inn and Suites Portsmouth, Ascend Hotel Collection

Port Inn and Suites Portsmouth, Ascend Hotel Collection

3 out of 5
505 US Highway 1 Bypass, Portsmouth, NH
The price is Rp2.062.875 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
Rp2.062.875
Rp2.238.219 total
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Portsmouth. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
"Overall it was a quick stay and we checked in pretty quick - however there was trash left in the trash can in our room. Otherwise staff was friendly."

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Port Inn and Suites Portsmouth, Ascend Hotel Collection
Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown

Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown

3 out of 5
23 Portwalk Pl, Portsmouth, NH
The price is Rp3.125.038 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp3.125.038
Rp3.390.667 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Portsmouth. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,013 reviews)
"The hotel was very close to shopping and dining. The rooms were clean and the staff was very friendly and helpful. It was great to have the free coffee and breakfast each morning too. I would definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rye Motor Inn: An Adults-Only Apartment Hotel

Rye Motor Inn: An Adults-Only Apartment Hotel

3 out of 5
741 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH
Stay at this 3-star beach apartment in Rye. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a beach locale. Popular attractions Water Country and Market Square are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (75 reviews)
"Excellent communication. Clean! Only disappointment was the beach across the street was in inhabitable with bugs but pretty to look at from top of rocks. It was my misunderstanding of the lay of the land, not the fault of the motel description"

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Rye Motor Inn: An Adults-Only Apartment Hotel
7 Beachside Inn

7 Beachside Inn

3 out of 5
7 H st, Hampton, NH
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Hampton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Hampton Beach and Blue Ocean Discovery Center ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (12 reviews)
Spacious and Great Location
"Amazing location for beach and boardwalk access. Lots of room for 8 people (4 adults and 4 kids). Could use a few more plates and a roll of paper towels. Beds are a little hard but things were nice and clean. We will definitely be returning."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

7 Beachside Inn
Ocean Air Suites

Ocean Air Suites

2.5 out of 5
22 C St, Hampton, NH
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Hampton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Hampton Beach and Casino Cascade Water Slide ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (37 reviews)
Excellent, love it
"Clean spacious room with full kitchen and 30 second walk to the beach. Friendly and courteous staff and easy free parking. Conveniently located near restaurants, shops, outdoor concerts, movie night on the beach. Located on a quiet side street so the best of both worlds. We slept with the windows ..."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Ocean Air Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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