The historic seaport of Portsmouth New Hampshire sits at the mouth of the Piscataqua River that serves as the border with Maine. Its metropolitan area includes communities like Dover, Rye, and Exeter in New Hampshire and Kittery and York in Maine. Incorporated in 1653, it is the third oldest community in the United States, and the Portsmouth attractions include the region’s long, historic heritage as a seaport and shipbuilding center as well as the 18 miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.

The Portsmouth New Hampshire beaches and their attractions include Hampton Beach, Rye Beach, North Beach, and many more. Some of the beaches are actually state parks, providing hiking and cycling trails, camping, and deep-sea fishing opportunities. There are historic lighthouses here, and concert venues where numerous events and festivals are held throughout the year. Across the border in Kittery Maine are complexes of major brand outlet stores. These Portsmouth attractions alone draw millions of visitors.

Another of the Portsmouth attractions is the state-of-the-art Water Country. This is one of the largest and best water parks in the state, boasting more than a dozen exciting rides and slides as well as private cabanas furnished with tables and chairs.

The community was originally named Strawberry Banke because of the abundant wild strawberries that grew along the river’s banks. This is where the original town grew up, and today Strawberry Banke is the destination for much Portsmouth New Hampshire travel as it is a living museum encompassing the entire district. It is full of dozens of old mansions, stately homes, and lovely gardens with a long and rich history.

You can purchase maps for walking tours of Strawberry Banke, passing by and exploring these old homes, numerous sidewalk cafés and dining venues, shops and galleries, and charming bed and breakfast inns. For Portsmouth New Hampshire travel you will find that the latter represent some of the best Portsmouth hotels.

Numerous other museums include the Albacore Museum where you can tour the USS Albacore submarine that was built in the Portsmouth shipyard. Children of all ages will enjoy the respected Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. The American Independence Museum (actually located in nearby Exeter, and housed in one of that town’s many historic buildings) provides a fascinating look at our nation’s beginning. The Seacoast Science Center is located on a beautiful oceanside point in Rye Beach in one of the state parks. It offers an aquarium along with other exhibits, and has lovely grounds for strolling and picnicking. You can tour the largest brewery in northern New England, and take a scenic cruise of the nine rocky islands that make up the Isles of Shoals in a sailboat or vintage steamship. When your Portsmouth New Hampshire travel takes you outside the city, you can get in some skiing in nearby ski resorts both in New Hampshire and Maine.

There are nearly thirty places for golfing in the Portsmouth New Hampshire metropolitan area. For comfort and pampering, you’ll find that several of the area’s luxury hotels are also full-service spa resorts, and the city additionally boasts a number of day spas.