Location: Portsmouth
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What to do and see in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (NH): The Best Traveler Resources
Don your walking shoes, breathe in the ocean air and set out to discover this picturesque maritime town. You can join one of several organized walking tours or explore on your own. Portsmouth is filled with old homes and museums, and you'll have your pick of fascinating historic sites. Climb aboard the USS Albacore, a retired U.S. Navy submarine offering tours and exhibits. View an 18th-century garden, striking stairway and period furniture at the Moffatt Ladd House, the home of William Whipple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, or follow a costumed guide through the John Paul Jones House, home of the Revolutionary War naval hero. For a broader look at the city's history, visit Strawbery Banke Museum, where over 40 buildings have been assembled to depict Portsmouth life from 1695 to 1950, complete with costumed actors. If you know architecture, Portsmouth's array of Colonial, Federalist and Neo-classical styles will dazzle you. Weary of walking? Sit down for a meal at one of Portsmouth's fine eateries or relax on a narrated harbor or whale-watching cruise.
Restaurants in Portsmouth
1. Portsmouth Historical Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Founded in 1917, the Portsmouth Historical Society is a nonprofit devoted to the history, arts, and culture of the Portsmouth region, through acquisitions, preservation, museum exhibitions, programs, and publications. It operates the Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center and the 1758 John Paul Jones Historic House Museum and Garden, a national historic landmark. The Society also serves as the home of the Portsmouth Advocates for Historic Preservation, and the Portsmouth Marine Society Press.
Reviewed By Maurene_K - Dover, United States
After visiting the Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center, I went into the attached Portsmouth Historical Society building to see the 2021 art exhibits. The one on the first floor was titled: Twilight of American Impressionism. The featured artists were Alice Ruggles Sohier and Frederick A. Bosley. Alice Ruggles Sohier was born in Massachusetts. She had an extensive education in art. Among her instructors for advanced studies at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston were Edmund C. Tarbell and Frank Weston Benson. I liked most of her work shown in the exhibit. The oil painting titled Dahlias was my favorite. The yellow dahlias looked so delicate. I also liked the painting titled Yellow Day Lilies. Frederick A. Bosley was from Lebanon, New Hampshire. He also studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts with Edmund C. Tarbell and Frank Weston Benson. Works in this exhibit included portraits and landscapes. Most of his palette was in subdued darker shades, except for the portrait of a woman in a red kimono titled “Elizabeth in Red” which I liked. Bosley's palette was on display in a case. The exhibit upstairs was titled: Don Gorvett: Working Waterfronts. He is a contemporary artist. He does woodcuts and then makes colorized prints from them. The waterfronts were mostly Portsmouth and Ogunquit. There was also a video in which Don Gorvett demonstrated how he does the woodcuts and made his prints. He combines the traditional process with a few procedures he created. I found both exhibits worthwhile. I really liked the Impressionist exhibit. I always find every exhibit that the Portsmouth Historical Society displays to be first-rate. I rate the Portsmouth Historical Society, its John Paul Jones House, its tours, its publications, and these exhibits at 5.0. I highly recommend anything the Society does. If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
2. Portsmouth Athenaeum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
This library was established in 1817 and has a noteworthy collection of rare and old publications.
Reviewed By thefitchboi - Kittery, United States
All things Portsmouth Historically kept.here! Wikipedia Portsmouth Athenaeum .located in Market Sq operating limited hours it is THE Library of local history a must see!
3. Discover Portsmouth
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
Start you visit at Discover Portsmouth. We offer a 12 minute film on the city's history, a beautiful museum shop, changing exhibitions, walking tours (Memorial Day - Through October), city map, and public rest rooms. We are open April 1-December 23/
Reviewed By CaitlynJW - San Sebastian - Donostia, Spain
I have lived in NH my whole life a few towns from Portsmouth. My partner is staying here with me for a bit and is very into history so I decided that we should take a tour of the downtown area. I am so thankful that we did! Randy was a kind and knowledgeable guide and I found myself learning a ton of new info even though I have frequented Portsmouth for years. I would recommend this tour for visitors and locals alike.
4. Greater Portsmouth Chamber
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
5. Portsmouth Public Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By MagicMarco56 - Portsmouth, United States
The library has an extensive collection of books, music (c/d's), video dvd's and magazines and periodicals. It is an outstanding public resource!
