Family Vacation Destination Portsmouth New Hampshire Downtown Seacoast Area Vacation Shopping Dining

A charming village on the cusp of the Atlantic in southeast New Hampshire, Portsmouth embraces it's historic roots. Cobblestone streets dissect the bustling downtown with it's proud colonial architecture and treed and flowered parks. Portsmouth is New Hampshire's oldest seacoast town, first inhabited in 1623 by English settlers, and served as the capitol of New Hampshire from 1679 until the middle of the Revolutionary War. This important place in history, along with economic successes, made Portsmouth a cultural center in New England.

Portsmouth's past comes alive with a trip to the Strawbery Banke Museum, a ten acre recreation of early life in New England. Actors play settlers going about their daily tasks on the landscaped grounds and in the preserved and furnished homes. Special programs are available for adults and children year-round. Looking for more history? Strawberry Banke is only one of the 70 historic and scenic sights connected by the Harbour Trail, a 2.5 mile self guided walking tour which is divided into 3 routes designed to show you the best of what Portsmouth has to offer.

A walking tour of Portsmouth also leads to many happy discoveries for shoppers. Specialty shops abound, from decorative glassworks and fine clothing stores to retailers offering goods for pampered pooches. Chain stores, such as the Gap, also reside in the colonial storefronts but it is the hidden gems found tucked away in quaint alleyways which delight most travelers. Restaurants of every variety can also be found downtown - Mexican, Italian, Indian or Thai - making dining in Portsmouth is a multi-cultural experience. Ale-lovers will be happy to note that brewing was once the town's largest industry, and tasty examples of Portsmouth's ale can still be found in pubs around the city.

There are activities in the area to delight children of all ages. Take a tour of the tall ships in the harbour, have ice cream from a vendor and watch the boats pass in the leafy park by the water, or take a short drive north or south, where the sandy beaches of New Hampshire and Maine await you. Day trips to the nearby Isle of Shoals are also a popular option for families. The 6 mile boat trip is an adventure for the kids, while the serenity of the Atlantic relaxes adults.

Whichever you choose of the many activities Portsmouth has to offer, or however long your stay, you and your family will have a true New England experience that will surely earn Portsmouth a fond place in your heart.

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