This New Hampshire Town Instantly Transports You To The Past

Portsmouth, with a population of around 21,000, sits at the mouth of the Piscataqua River and offers abundant opportunities for both land and water-based activities for visitors. Breathe in the ocean air and set out to discover this picturesque maritime town with centuries of history that shape the streets and waterfront. You can join one of several organized walking tours or explore the town at your own pace. Portsmouth is filled with preserved homes, historic museums, and landmark sites, including a renowned outdoor living-history museum that brings early American life into clear focus. To continue discovering other historic towns in New Hampshire, Exeter and Dover are two other towns with so much more to explore.

A Step Back In Time In Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, holds a special place in New England history as the state’s oldest settlement, its second-oldest city, its first capital, and its only seaport. First explored and described by English navigator Martin Pring in 1603, the area became a fishing settlement in 1623 at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, a swift tidal estuary that provided a natural harbor. Originally called Piscataqua and later Strawbery Banke, the community developed into a flourishing colonial port. Incorporated by Massachusetts in 1653 and renamed for Portsmouth, England, it served as the seat of New Hampshire’s provincial government until the American Revolution.

Maritime trade and industry shaped Portsmouth’s growth for centuries. The city was home to the state’s first newspaper, the New Hampshire Gazette, founded in 1756, and benefited economically from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, established in the 1790s across the river in Kittery, Maine. Like many colonial ports, Portsmouth’s prosperity was tied to slavery and global commerce; enslaved Africans were brought to the area as early as 1645, and local merchants participated in the Triangle Trade. This layered history of seafaring enterprise, governance, and labor remains central to understanding Portsmouth’s past.

Portsmouth’s Historic Homes: Strawbery Banke, Warner House, and Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden

Strawbery Banke Museum brings more than 350 years of Portsmouth’s story to life with a historic waterfront neighborhood. The museum traces the area’s evolution from Indigenous history through the modern era, using preserved buildings, landscapes, and exhibits to interpret daily life across generations. Together, these elements reveal how an ordinary neighborhood adapted to social, economic, and cultural change over centuries.

Warner House offers a rare look into 300 years of family history shaped by six generations. Built around 1716 for Captain Archibald Macpheadris, an ambitious immigrant and prominent merchant, it stands as one of New England’s oldest urban brick residences. The home features early Georgian design, including old-growth wood paneling, fine moldings, and a central staircase leading to four remarkable colonial murals, regarded as the oldest surviving examples of their kind in the United States.

Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden, constructed in 1763 by merchant John Moffatt, one of colonial New Hampshire’s wealthiest figures, the house was presented to his son Samuel as a wedding gift. Also known as the William Whipple House, it later became the residence of the Revolutionary War general and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Today, the house museum and its formal garden reflect the lifestyle, political influence, and social standing of Portsmouth’s elite during the late eighteenth century.

Exploring Portsmouth’s Outdoor Highlights

Portsmouth has a strong connection with the outdoors, shaped by its waterfront setting and maritime heritage. Prescott Park, located along the Piscataqua River, is a scenic municipal park with formal flower gardens, fountains, shaded walkways, and open lawns, making it ideal for families to spend quality time with kids. During warmer months, the park hosts outdoor concerts, theater productions, and community events against a riverfront backdrop to keep things lively in town.

Along the harbor, Albacore Park offers a distinctive experience centered on naval history. Visitors can tour the decommissioned USS Albacore, a Cold War-era submarine displayed on land, and explore nearby exhibits that highlight naval innovation and seafaring life. Beyond the city, the Isles of Shoals lie about six miles offshore, are perfect for a romantic getaway. Occupied for more than four centuries, the islands have private residences, a seasonal hotel, and a marine research facility, offering a mix of spots to explore and enjoy.

Market Square: The Heart Of Historic Portsmouth

To experience coastal New England at its most inviting, few places compare to Market Square in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Surrounded by narrow streets filled with independent shops and restaurants, this lively downtown hub remains one of the city’s standout destinations. Its central location makes it easy to reach, including a short drive from Dockside Guest Quarters in nearby York, Maine. Each year, the area draws even larger crowds during Market Square Day, a popular festival featuring live music, a 10K race, and community activities.

Shopping and dining define much of Market Square’s appeal. Market Square Jewelers and Kaya Jewelers carry elegant jewellery and timeless gifts, while SAULT New England is a men’s apparel store. When evening arrives, nearby restaurants feature a good range of options like The Friendly Toast, specializing in vegan food with quirky surroundings, while the Thirsty Moose Taphouse serves beer from over 100 tap lines and American bar and grill-style food. From boutiques such as 20 Below Boutique to Reedmor Books & Brews, the square has plenty of reasons to linger.

Beyond Portsmouth: New Hampshire’s Other Historic Towns

Portsmouth is not the only place in New Hampshire where history feels close at hand; however, it sets the standard. Layers of seafaring life, early industry, and political influence remain visible in its architecture, museums, and working harbor. Beyond Portsmouth, New Hampshire, offers no shortage of towns with a similarly deep sense of history. Exeter carries strong Revolutionary roots as the state’s former capital, while Dover traces its origins to the earliest English settlements in the region, and Peterborough stands out for its early town planning and cultural legacy. Across the United States, places like Mystic, Connecticut; Annapolis, Maryland; and St. Augustine, Florida share this same ability to transport visitors into earlier chapters of American life through well-preserved streets, landmarks, and enduring local traditions.

A Town That Carries Its History Forward

Portsmouth has a rare ability to bridge centuries without losing its sense of place. From the preserved homes of Strawbery Banke, Warner House, and the Moffatt-Ladd House to waterfront parks, historic harbors, and the energy of Market Square, the city invites visitors to experience history as part of everyday life. Whether exploring colonial neighborhoods, naval landmarks, or lively downtown streets, Portsmouth has a timeless New England setting that truly transports you to the past.