Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Last Updated on May 11, 2023 by Nikki Jain

Step into a slice of American history. The town of Portsmouth in New Hampshire was founded in the 17th century when it became a major supplier for revolutionaries during the Colonial Times. It brought in so much wealth and assistance that the town flourished and solidified itself as one of the most historically-rich locations in America. Tourists will find the number of attractions to be overwhelming, so it’s important to have a plan in-place of all the important places you want to visit in Portsmouth. Refer to our list for some of the most famous attractions you must visit on your next trip to Portsmouth.

Things To Do in Portsmouth

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1: Strawbery Banke Museum

Strawbery Banke Museum
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This is the original settlement in Porsmouth, just outside the mouth of the Great Bay in Piscataqua River. The museum is actually a collection of houses that have stood since 1623. You get to step inside history and see what conditions were like for our settlers, as well as admire the craftsmanship and hardwork it took to make a living back in the colonial days.

Address: 14 Hancock St, Portsmouth, NH 03801

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2: Market Square

Market Square
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As the name suggests, this is where commerce bloomed in Portsmouth. Market Square had tons of traffic going through this square at all times, thanks to ships bringing in endless supplies of foreign and domestic goods. Shops and artists flourished, and you’ll find many a new merchants here selling their wares in the spirit of the old days. Stop by and purchase some local goods to support the economy of Portsmouth.

Address: Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 03801

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3: Prescott Park

Prescott Park
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Prescott Park incorporates delightful patio nurseries of enduring and yearly blossoms, an exhibit on cultivation, arts space, and open docks, and additionally a place to sit and appreciate the blooms and harbor activity. The recreation center is known particularly for its astonishing tulip shows in the spring, and in summer for its beds of splendid annuals. The Prescott Park Arts Festival brings music and theater exhibitions each year. You can’t miss it!

Address: 105 Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH 03801

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4: Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden

Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden
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Voyages through its renovated surroundings start in the Great Hall, with French picturesque backdrops dating from around 1820, accompanied with intricate carvings. Since the first records of the house's development still exist, an incredible arrangement is thought about its history and the nearby specialists in charge of its extraordinary beautification projects. Unique family decorations incorporate remarkable cases of locally-made and English-made furniture, and one of the family representations is by Gilbert Stuart himself—a man of many talents.

Address: 154 Market St, Portsmouth, NH 03801

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5: USS Albacore Museum

USS Albacore Museum
For those interested in military history, climb aboard the USS Albacore. This submarine was made to be the fastest in the world at its unveiling, but it never saw a day of service. Instead, its spirit lives on through the conceptual breakthroughs that have since been applied to today’s submarines. It’s a very unique experience to walk through a submarine, even when it’s not submerged. The hull is massive, even if the quarters may be cramped. You’ll learn a lot on a quick tour through the museum.

Address: 600 Market St, Portsmouth, NH 03801

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6: Isles of Shoals

Isles of Shoals
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Yarr, there be pirate tales and American history on these isles. This is the pinnacle of exciting tour guides. Traverse hundreds of years surrounding these famous isles, with tales of the notorious Captain John Smith of Jamestown and Pocohontas history, the most infamous pirates of all: Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, as well as a resident ghost. If you’re not scared to make the Isles of Shoals your home base, you will live a life in luxury during your stay with the state’s most magnificent hotels.

Address: 315 Market St, Portsmouth, NH 03801

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7: The Music Hall

The Music Hall
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Get connected with the local music and performing arts scene at the Music Hall. It’s actually made up of two separate theaters located in downtown Portsmouth, but both offer a great selection of community arts, from major Broadway plays to unique and diverse musicals that you cannot find anywhere else. Highly recommended for the performing arts buff and the uninitiated.

Address: 28 Chestnut St, Portsmouth, NH 03801

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8: Discover Portsmouth

Discover Portsmouth
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The Portsmouth Historical Society changed over the previous city library to another "one-stop" focal entryway to the verifiable, social, and masterful scenes of more prominent Portsmouth, and another presentation site showing the workmanship and history of the area. The building incorporates seven four-shading data boards on each of Portsmouth's notable houses, historical centers, points of interest and execution settings. The side displays are loaded with pivoting displays, and the inside's theater has non-stop showings of a movie on Portsmouth's 400-year history.

Address: 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

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9: MacPheadris–Warner House

MacPheadris–Warner House
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Founded in 1716 and the main method of getting by of the chateaus that lined Daniel Street in frontier days, the Warner House is best known to building historians for the most established paintings in America that are still standing. The wall paintings line the lobby stairway, and all through the house are outstanding cases of cut moldings and wood framing. Adding to its significance, the house additionally contains the primary example of Queen Anne furniture known to have been made in America, a Sherburne high trunk dating from 1733. This is a piece of an extraordinary accumulation of early Portsmouth furniture and pictures. For a long time, the Georgian block house was the home of eras of a similar group of shippers, commanders, and a governor.

Address: 150 Daniel St, Portsmouth, NH 03802

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10: Water Country

Water Country
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A blustery day voyage through Portsmouth Historic Homes starts here at the Warner House. It is wonderful. The tour guide is exceptionally knowledgeable. The paintings on display going upstairs have their own particular story and much about the inhabitants and day and age can be gotten from it. The house style gives you access on how individuals passed the time and how they needed to present themselves. The furniture is great and the house feels alive, unlike many museum homes that might feel a bit off. It is definitely worth a visit to close out a day in Portsmouth.

Address: 2300 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801

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