Portsmouth, New Hampshire, grew from a small town in the 1600s, where mast trees were carried to supply the King's Navy, to become one of the most important ports of the Colonial Era. The city has a tradition of caring for its past, which makes it one of the most appealing for travelers interested in American history. It continued to thrive as a shipbuilding center into the late twentieth century. Few cities, if any, can boast as many authentic Colonial and Federal homes that are open to the public.
Strawbery Banke Museum has conserved an entire neighborhood of homes and shops, and almost a dozen additional noteworthy homes equipped with original furnishings are fascinating sites to explore. Portsmouth's central location makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the seacoast, and it is close enough to visit on a day trip from Boston.
Stop at Discover Portsmouth, a welcome center and cultural gateway with a film about the city's colonial roots, a museum, and displays of local artworks, for a nice introduction to the city and all of its historic tourist sites.
Portsmouth has a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with The Music Hall serving as a focal point for music and live theater. It was built in 1878 and is one of the country's oldest continually operating concert halls, having hosted vaudeville performances and legends such as Mark Twain and Wynton Marsalis. The yearly Prescott Park Arts Festival and the Seacoast Repertory Theatre complement the cultural mix.
Portsmouth has become a gastronomic destination thanks to dozens of restaurants, many of which are operated by award-winning chefs and serve both New England classics and a variety of foreign cuisines. Unique boutiques, a vibrant cultural calendar, and a variety of cruise and boat trip options round out the list of tourist attractions and activities in Portsmouth.
Note: Due to recent global health and safety challenges, certain businesses may be temporarily shuttered.
1. Mofatt-Ladd House & Garden, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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The Moffatt-Ladd House is a historic mansion that has been converted into a museum in downtown Portsmouth, directly across from the Old Harbor. The home, which was erected in 1763 and was opened to the public in 2011, is now a National Historic Landmark.
The property features period-style décor and architecture, as well as magnificent gardens and historical artifacts including papers, letters, and photographs belonging to some of the estate's original residents. One of the best things to do in Portsmouth, NH is visit the Moffatt-Ladd House. Interestingly, among the residents are Revolutionary War figures, Declaration of Independence signers, and prominent members of early East Coast society.
2. Black Heritage Trail
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Slavery was not limited to the south in Colonial America, and Portsmouth was a port of entry for slaves who were a part of the port's household and business life. A 1775 census shows 656 African slaves in New Hampshire, despite the fact that they were never as important as they were on southern plantations.
The majority of them were in Portsmouth, where the Black Heritage Trail celebrates African-American culture during the Colonial and Federal periods. It follows a route from the wharves to the People's Baptist Church on Pearl Street in the city's historic core, with signage identifying sites and conveying the tales of people and places.
More human stories that make history real and relevant today can be found in a self-guided walking tour brochure. The walk begins at Long Wharf, where slaves were auctioned and ships landed. It tells the stories of home staff, skilled artisans, and abolitionist leaders, as well as emancipated slaves. The route covers African-American history from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
3. Strawbery Banke Museum
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The 10-acre Strawbery Banke Museum is named after the first town on the Piscataqua River, near Great Bay's mouth. Portsmouth grew into a prominent port from its establishment in 1623, and the homes grouped here illustrate the city's four centuries of history.
Strawbery Banke adds to the historical variety by varying the interpretation and focus: some houses are furnished and decorated according to their era; others are preserved to show how they were built, with cutaway displays and exhibits of tools, materials, and decorative details; and others are protected to show how they were constructed, with cutaway displays and exhibits of tools, materials, and decorative details. The first is a duplex that has been restored to two separate centuries. Cooking, household activities, historical crafts, and boat-building techniques are all demonstrated by costumed interpreters and craftspeople.
Since Strawbery Banke tells the story of the Puddle Dock area over time, some of the structures and displays, such as a fully stocked neighborhood store and a 1950s home, are from the mid-twentieth century. Several residences include period gardens that, like the household furniture, reflect the former owners' social and economic status.
4. USS Albacore
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The USS Albacore, once the world's fastest submarine, never saw combat, but its shape, design, and equipment served as a model for current submarines. The USS Albacore is now a museum ship on dry land, with self-guided tours showing how the submarine worked and what life was like for the crew.
Former crew members' audio and recordings bring the Albacore and its research mission to life. Albacore Park has a memorial garden dedicated to the sailors who died while serving on American submarines.
5. Black Trumpet Bistro, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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Black Trumpet Bistro, located in downtown Portsmouth, is open for supper. The modest bistro is noted for delivering globally inspired dishes that combine classic and unusual flavors and ingredients. Because the menu is based on seasonality and availability, it changes frequently.
The main floor of Black Trumpet Bistro is a romantic and comfortable eating area with friendly and relaxing service, while the second floor includes a bustling wine bar with a more active atmosphere. Both levels provide a relaxed and unobtrusive setting in which to enjoy exquisite meals.
6. Shalimar India, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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Shalimar India, located in downtown Portsmouth, serves authentic North Indian and Punjabi cuisine for lunch and dinner. The menu features classic and contemporary interpretations of a variety of North Indian staples, as well as an extensive wine and beer list.
Bold and extravagant furniture, such as a festively painted ceiling, vivid gold chandeliers, and whimsical artwork covering the walls, enliven the snug eatery. The restaurant is polished and elegant, yet its lively energy and unusual décor allow it to sustain a very friendly ambiance.
7. Governor John Langdon House, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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John Langdon, a shipbuilder, merchant, Revolutionary War hero, three-term governor of the state of New Hampshire, and signer of the constitution, lived in this historic mansion-turned-museum. The palace is a spectacular Georgian style estate that President George Washington once referred to as the "first home of its stature." The house was turned into a museum after numerous generations of Langdon family residents.
The residence has been meticulously kept and furnished with period-style décor that depicts the lifestyle of one of Portsmouth's early noteworthy people. An on-site museum houses original elements of the mansion, as well as Langdon family belongings and historical relics.
8. Rundlet-May House
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Rundlet-May House was built in 1807 by a Portsmouth businessman and features associated outbuildings, a carriage barn, and spectacular gardens. It was a very modern residence for its time, with central heating, an indoor well, and the most up-to-date kitchen appliances, including a Rumford range and roaster. Local cabinet makers and craftspeople created the furnishings.
Although many original characteristics, such as the 1807 wall coverings and several pieces of furniture, have been preserved, the house also represents the lives of subsequent generations into the twentieth century. The gardens have not changed from their original layout.
9. Wentworth Coolidge Mansion
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Benning Wentworth, the Royal Governor of New Hampshire from 1741 to 1767, relocated his administration to this 40-room estate overlooking Little Harbor, a little distance from downtown Portsmouth, and it became the epicenter of social and political activity in the colony.
It is the only remaining residence of a Royal Governor in the United States, as well as one of the finest homes from the Colonial Era, with remarkable instances of period craftsmanship, particularly in the hand-carved mantelpiece. The lilacs that encircle the mansion come from Wentworth's original stock and are the first lilacs to be planted in America.
Between the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion, Creek Farm, and Portsmouth Conservation Land, the Little Harbor Loop Trail follows the waterfront for 1.5 miles.
10. John Paul Jones House
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John Paul Jones, a Revolutionary War hero, spent two years at Portsmouth, the first in 1777 while his warship The Ranger was being built. During that time, the 1758 sea captain's residence was a boarding house, and he is thought to have rented a room here.
The house is a fine example of Georgian architecture, both for its symmetrical front and for its original paneling, moldings, and carved woodwork, apart from its link to Jones. The changing tastes of the late-18th and early-19th centuries can be seen in examples of subsequent Federal-style décor.
The house is decorated with furniture created by notable seacoast craftsmen and locally made decorative arts from the Portsmouth Historical Society's collections. The home also houses the society's rich collection of portraits, glass, and ceramics, which includes China trade items and a textile collection, in addition to these noteworthy examples. This covers samples of attire in Portsmouth from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, as well as notable examples of needlework.
11. Warner House
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The Warner House, built in 1716 and the sole surviving mansion along Daniel Street during colonial times, is most known to art historians for having the oldest painted murals in America that are preserved in their original location. The main stairway is lined with murals, and there are remarkable instances of carved moldings and wood paneling throughout the house.
The mansion also houses the first piece of Queen Anne furniture known to have been built in America, a Sherburne high chest from 1733, which adds to its historical significance. This piece is part of a wonderful collection of early Portsmouth furniture and pictures. The Georgian brick house was home to generations of the same family of merchants, ship captains, and one Royal Governor for more than 200 years.
12. Prescott Park
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Prescott Park, located close to Strawbery Banke on the Piscataqua River, features lovely perennial and annual flower gardens, a demonstration garden, performance space, public docks, and a place to rest on a seat and enjoy the flowers and harbor views.
In the spring, the park is famed for its spectacular tulip displays, and in the summer, for its beds of vibrant annuals. Each summer, the Prescott Park Arts Festival features music and theater acts.
Point of Graves Burial Grounds, a small cemetery dating from 1671, is located near the flower beds at the far end of the park. Many of the cemetery's oldest stones are crooked, having been knocked over by cows who grazed here in its early days.
The Wentworths and Lears, whose mansions are now historic museum properties, are among the notable and not-so-prominent Portsmouth families commemorated by stones. The stones, the oldest of which dates from 1684, are excellent examples of early grave markers, featuring characteristic early folk themes such as skulls and cherubim etched onto them.
13. Market Square
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Market Square is the heart of modern-day Portsmouth, just as Puddle Dock was in the 17th century. The majestic North Church and noteworthy brick structures, including the ancient Portsmouth Athenaeum, frame this large open space. Down Market Street, several well-preserved mercantile blocks lead to Portsmouth's bustling waterfront, complete with a row of tugboats.
Market Street is a popular retail destination. Several of the buildings have cast-iron storefronts that were erected to "modernize" them in the 19th century. Boutiques, specialty shops, and galleries of fine arts and ornamental works by local crafters fill the buildings.
14. The Music Hall, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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The Music Hall is an approximately 1,000-seat venue in Portsmouth that is regarded as New Hampshire's and America's 14th oldest theater. The Music Hall has hosted numerous noteworthy personalities, including multiple Tony, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize winners, for nearly five generations.
The Music Hall is notable for sponsoring and presenting a wide range of performance forms, such as musical concerts, dramatic, interpretive, or literary readings, dance recitals, and film screenings. The venue now receives about 90,000 visitors each year. On its website, the Hall provides a calendar of forthcoming concerts as well as ticket purchasing options. Attend a performance at the Music Hall if you're seeking romantic date night ideas.
15. Seacoast Repertory Theater, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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The Seacoast Repertory Theatre, situated in Portsmouth, is a year-round, community-based professional performing group. Throughout the year, the Seacoast Repertory Theatre puts on a number of shows. The business publishes an annual calendar of forthcoming events, as well as classes, private lessons, workshops, and camps for people of all ages.
Visitors can view the yearly schedule on the Seacoast Repertory Theatre's website for a complete list of forthcoming shows, events, camps, and classes.
16. Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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The Portsmouth Athenaeum is a non-profit library, gallery, and museum in the city's downtown core that is locally run and administered. The Portsmouth Athenaeum was founded in the early 1800s by a group of Portsmouth residents who pooled their educational resources in order to help others in the community.
This system of resource distribution, which was once the norm, today only accounts for a small part of national libraries, making it a unique depiction of the first library system. Authentic Portsmouth antiques are on display at the library, museum, and gallery, and visitors can use the facility's numerous services.
17. Book and Bar, Portsmouth
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Book and Bar, housed in a late-1860s structure, offers guests a unique entertainment and dining experience. Because of its many book shelves, this unique cafe and pub evokes the feel of a bookstore. Throughout the day, beer, wine, coffee, and tea are available, as well as a bistro menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, and small plates.
The atmosphere is far from that of a quiet library; Book and Bar is a lively eatery where people are welcome to hang around and speak whenever they want. Tall bookcases, comfortable armchairs, solid wood tables, and comfortable sofas create a warm atmosphere in this trendy restaurant.
18. Earth Eagle Brewing, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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Earth Eagle Brewing Company is a local brewery and gastropub recognized for its extensive microbrew variety. Earth Eagle's beer selection changes with the seasons and availability, and the on-tap alternatives are updated on the Brewery's website and social media on a regular basis.
The gastro pub offers an unusual menu that includes a mix of comfort cuisine and traditional pub fare, as well as some surprise options. Throughout the year, the Brewery holds unique events, live music, and festivals, and its warm interior is decorated with mellow décor and soft lighting to create a relaxing atmosphere.
19. The Kitchen, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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The Kitchen, a lovely sandwich shop in Portsmouth that has been featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, was founded by chefs Matthew Greco and Michael Prete and launched in 2011. For dine-in, takeout, or delivery, the vibrant restaurant delivers warm scratch-made meals. The Duck Dynasty, which features a duck burger with Asian five-spice, cranberry-Stilton cheese, and pear-fennel slaw, and the Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, which features an Indian-spiced lamb burger, crumbled pistachios, and jalapeno-mango chutney, are two examples of artisanal burgers served throughout the day. Grilled flatbread pizzas, as well as distinctive "spudster" deep-fried mashed potato cones with guests' choice of inventive dipping sauces, are also available.
20. Salt Cellar, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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A local Portsmouth couple created Salt Cellar, an educated and resource-backed shop designed for the distribution of high-quality salt items, after being inspired by a trip to Europe and the diversity of attractive and functional salt products available throughout international marketplaces. Salt Cellar offers approximately 50 different types of salt for use in cooking, bath and body goods, health products, and salted confections.
The store includes trained staff members who can provide useful advice and information on the diversity of salt products available. It is aesthetically built to capture the elegance and beauty the two noticed when visiting salt shops in Europe.
21. Isles of Shoals
The Isles of Shoals are a group of six small islands located six miles off the coast on the border between Maine and New Hampshire. Each island has its own personality and tale; one is home to a renowned religious conference center, while another is the rumored honeymoon location of notorious pirate Blackbeard. The rustic and remote islands are best enjoyed nowadays from a cruise ship that brings tourists alongside the islands for a short and gorgeous tour of the area.
A number of trips take guests on a variety of routes, giving them a distinct perspective of these barren islands. A wonderful and broad view of the ocean, harbors, and surrounding coastline is also available to visitors. It’s one of the major fun things to do in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
22. Old Ferry Landing
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Old Ferry Landing is located on the river's edge, surrounded by tugboats, docks, and fishermen. This real East Coast seafood shack, open for lunch and dinner during the warmer spring and summer months, features standard seafood pub fare, caught fresh and locally, as well as a range of beer and its namesake drink, "the Jimmy."
Old Ferry Landing has been a staple in Portsmouth for over 40 years and has established itself as a respected institution in the city's casual dining scene. Guests can place their orders inside the bright red shop and sit at the tables and benches in the back on the waterfront deck, which overlooks the bustling harbor area.
23. Raleigh Wine Bar, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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Raleigh Wine Bar, owned by restaurateur Nimi Idnani and executive chef Jeremy Glover, is a sophisticated New England-style restaurant in Portsmouth that opened in 2018. The magnificent downtown restaurant features a beautiful outside patio space and a colorful modern dining room that overlooks the city's Memorial Bridge. 'nduja bluefish with fermented turnips, rock crab tagliatelle with Meyer lemon preserves, and bavette steak with crab butter and collard greens are among the dishes available. Brunch features sourdough pancakes and crab cake sandwiches, as well as classic beverages like mimosas, bloody marys, and brunch martinis made with coffee and maple cream liqueur. Natural wines are available on the broad wine list, which is supplemented by local draft beers and house cocktails.
These are the most popular Portsmouth, New Hampshire tourist sites; make sure to visit them with your family and loved ones when you arrive. You will undoubtedly have a memorable experience here.
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