Strawbery Banke Museum
A ten-acre waterfront neighborhood of more than thirty historic buildings where costumed role players, heritage gardens and four centuries of Portsmouth life share the same few streets. Portsmouth's essential first stop.
New Hampshire
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is New England's most livable old seaport: a brick-and-steeple town on the Piscataqua River where four centuries of maritime history sit within a fifteen-minute walk.
This guide covers 21 sights and experiences, from the living-history streets of Strawbery Banke and the Georgian mansions of the merchant class to harbor cruises, the nine Isles of Shoals, lighthouse and fort sites, oyster kayaking and the Kittery outlets across the river. It pairs them with 10 hotels, from the Gilded Age grandeur of Wentworth by the Sea to walkable downtown inns and spacious suites, and 6 travel guides on when to go, where to stay, what to eat and where to take day trips along the Seacoast.
Don't miss
Strawbery Banke Museum
A ten-acre waterfront neighborhood of more than thirty historic buildings where costumed role players, heritage gardens and four centuries of Portsmouth life share the same few streets. Portsmouth's essential first stop.
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and Fort Constitution
A cast-iron lighthouse on the New Castle shore beside the stone ruins of Fort Constitution, the site of the December 1774 raid on British gunpowder that many call the first armed act of the American Revolution.
Portsmouth Guided Bike Tour of Historic Sites
A guided cycle through the historic core, the waterfront and the neighborhoods beyond Market Square, with a local leader doing the storytelling and the hills and traffic doing none of the worrying.
Islands and Harbor Guided Bike Tour
A longer guided ride that links the Portsmouth waterfront to the river mouth and the ocean-facing roads, with salt marsh, island scenery and sea views in place of just the historic core.
Things to do in Portsmouth
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Isles of Shoals Cruise
Nine rocky islands six to ten miles off the coast, split between New Hampshire and Maine, reached by boat from the Portsmouth waterfront. Lighthouse, poets' gardens, pirate lore and a landing on Star Island.
Portsmouth Harbor Cruises
Narrated sightseeing from Ceres Street since 1982, with harbor loops past forts and lighthouses, Isles of Shoals trips, and fall foliage cruises up the Great Bay and Cocheco River.
Piscataqua Gundalow Sail
A working replica of the flat-bottomed cargo barges that once carried everything on the tidal Piscataqua. Slower than a motor cruise, closer to the history, and run as a nonprofit education program.
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and Fort Constitution
A cast-iron lighthouse on the New Castle shore beside the stone ruins of Fort Constitution, the site of the December 1774 raid on British gunpowder that many call the first armed act of the American Revolution.
Portsmouth Guided Bike Tour of Historic Sites
A guided cycle through the historic core, the waterfront and the neighborhoods beyond Market Square, with a local leader doing the storytelling and the hills and traffic doing none of the worrying.
Islands and Harbor Guided Bike Tour
A longer guided ride that links the Portsmouth waterfront to the river mouth and the ocean-facing roads, with salt marsh, island scenery and sea views in place of just the historic core.
Historical Tastings Tour at the Rockingham
A guided tasting experience at one of Portsmouth's best-known historic buildings, pairing the town's maritime past with the drinks and flavors that came through the port.
Self-Guided Haunted Walking Tour of Portsmouth
A phone-guided ghost walk through the oldest streets of Portsmouth at your own pace, with legends of sea captains, privateers and haunted taverns, and an app that makes a night stroll feel like a story.
Pretty Portsmouth Scavenger Hunt
A game-style walk through the old town that turns sightseeing into a puzzle, with clues, photo challenges and local landmarks. Good for families, friends and anyone who finds guided tours too passive.
Oyster Tasting and Kayak Tour
Paddle the tidal waters of the New Hampshire coast to a working oyster farm, learn how the shellfish are grown, and taste them fresh. A hands-on way to see the estuaries behind the postcard harbor.
John Paul Jones House
The 1758 gambrel-roofed house where the naval hero boarded while the warship Ranger was fitted out in Portsmouth, now the Portsmouth Historical Society's museum of the town's maritime and domestic life.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Wentworth by the Sea, A Marriott Hotel and Spa
New Castle (Harbor Island)
A restored Gilded Age grand hotel on the island of New Castle, with a yellow clapboard silhouette, a harbor-side spa and marina, and Portsmouth's old-world resort feel just minutes from downtown.
Check rates →Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel
Downtown Waterfront
A full-service hotel on the Portsmouth waterfront at the edge of the historic core, steps from the harbor cruises and a short walk to Market Square and the best dining.
Check rates →The Hotel Portsmouth
Historic District / Court Street
A Victorian-era inn in the historic district, a short stroll to Market Square, with individually decorated rooms, a porch and the intimacy of a small hotel.
Check rates →Ale House Inn
Downtown / Waterfront
A small boutique inn near the waterfront, with a brewery-inspired name, exposed brick and a walking-distance location among the restaurants and bars of the old port.
Check rates →Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown
Downtown Portsmouth
A modern, mid-priced downtown hotel within walking distance of Market Square and the waterfront, with the predictable comforts of a national brand.
Check rates →Residence Inn by Marriott Portsmouth Downtown Waterfront
Downtown / Waterfront
An all-suite hotel in the downtown and waterfront area with kitchens in the rooms, ideal for longer stays, families and travelers who want space and walkability together.
Check rates →Port Inn and Suites Portsmouth, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Portsmouth Outskirts / Highway Access
A comfortable, good-value hotel a short drive from the historic district, with free parking, easy highway access and a base for exploring the Seacoast.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott Portsmouth
Pease / Newington
A dependable Marriott hotel on the business and airport side of Portsmouth, with straightforward rooms, a pool or fitness area, and quick access to downtown and the highway.
Check rates →Residence Inn by Marriott Portsmouth
Pease / Newington
An all-suite hotel on the Portsmouth outskirts with kitchens, free parking and breakfast, a spacious alternative for families and longer stays who are happy to drive into town.
Check rates →Homewood Suites by Hilton Portsmouth
Portsmouth Outskirts
A Hilton all-suite property outside the historic core with full kitchens and breakfast, another strong choice for families and longer stays when you do not need a downtown doorstep.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Strawbery Banke MuseumStay
Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside HotelDowntown Waterfront
Do
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and Fort ConstitutionStay
Wentworth by the Sea, A Marriott Hotel and SpaNew Castle (Harbor Island)
Do
Portsmouth Guided Bike Tour of Historic SitesStay
Residence Inn by Marriott Portsmouth Downtown WaterfrontDowntown / Waterfront
Portsmouth guides
Portsmouth, New Hampshire for First-Timers: What to Know Before You Go
How Portsmouth is laid out, what to book ahead, which sights are worth your limited time, and the seasonal quirks that catch first-time visitors by surprise.
Portsmouth, NH in Three Days: Museums, Boats and the Maine Border
A three-day itinerary that sequences the historic houses, the water, the food and a day trip to the coast, with rain-day swaps and booking priorities.
Where to Stay in Portsmouth, NH: Downtown, New Castle or the Pease Side
A guide to choosing a base in Portsmouth, comparing walkable downtown inns, the grand resort on New Castle and suburban suites with parking, matched to trip types.
Eating and Drinking in Portsmouth, NH: Oysters, Lobster and the Brewpub Tradition
A guide to Portsmouth's food scene, from oyster bars and lobster rolls to brewpubs and breakfast, with how to book and what to order in each season.
The Best Time to Visit Portsmouth, NH: Seasons, Crowds and What Is Open
Season-by-season guidance for Portsmouth, from summer cruises and fall foliage to the December Candlelight Stroll, with advice on crowds, prices and closures.
Day Trips from Portsmouth, NH: Rye, Kittery, the Isles of Shoals and Beyond
The best half-day and full-day excursions from Portsmouth, from tidepools and whale watching to outlet shopping, Maine lobster shacks and island landings.
