Portsmouth shines like a cultural beacon on the New Hampshire Seacoast uniting a diverse community into a small city that is rich in the arts, history and offers a magnificent waterfront. For three centuries Portsmouth has been the metropolitan center of the region and today, with a population of about 21,000, this lively city is home to outstanding restaurants, theaters, galleries, boutiques, museums and historic sites.
Portsmouth is recognized as a great place to live, and equally a great place to retire, by many national surveys. Prevention Magazine recently named it one of the top walking cities in America. It is a community that treasures its harbor and respects that natural beauty of the delicate shoreline.
The historic downtown Market Square area, dotted with charming sidewalk cafes, is a feast for the eyes with an enchanting mix of brick sidewalks, classic architecture, colorful boutiques, a waterfront park and ocean views. Portsmouth has a distinct character that embraces its historic past, while also welcoming the best of contemporary cultural, business and technological ideas. At any time residents may choose from an evening of sampling specialty ale at the local brewery, listening to live jazz in of the many restaurants, relaxing on a harbor cruise, live theater or even sizzling Salsa dancing.
The historic downtown part of Portsmouth is remarkable for its outstanding architecture; housing options include classic shingled capes weathered by the salty breeze, brightly hued 18th century colonials, elegant 19th century brick townhomes and magnificent contemporary waterfront condominiums.
The notable Strawberry Banke site is an actual preserved neighborhood that reflects three centuries of Portsmouth's history. Here visitors marvel at the architectural, political and cultural legacy of Portsmouth. Strawberry Banke is more that a museum or educational resource, it is a bustling gathering spots where history and contemporary living come together for the residents of this great city. Even as the site preserves three centuries of history, it remains a vital component of the fourth century and future.
As a cultural, economic and political center, Portsmouth has had its share of grandeur. The Rockingham House Mansion, built in 1785 and restored after a fire in 1884, has been recognized as one of the most handsome brick homes in New England. After a long history as private home, hotel and restaurant, the upper levels of mansion was developed into elegant condos in 1975. The ground floor is now the prestigious Library Restaurant. Here resident and restaurant patrons enjoy the pleasures of today's lifestyle coupled the grandeur of an earlier time.
Outside the waterfront district, Portsmouth offers neighborhoods with a more suburban feel with a delightful mix of home styles to meet every taste.
As a true city, Portsmouth is home to first-class medical facilities, public transportation, museums, a science center, golf courses and a regional airport. Located along Interstate Route 95, Portsmouth is only one hour from Boston and across the bridge from Kittery, Maine.