The third oldest city in the United States, Portsmouth has been a popular destination for national and international travelers for 400 years. Rich in  Colonial atmosphere and architecture, Portsmouth is one of the few American cities to retain its character as a prosperous, pre-Revolutionary seaport.

Named a “Historic Gem” by the NY Times (6/2002), one of the "10 Best Small Towns for the Arts" By USA Today, and is #6 on National Geographic's list of historic US destinations (11/08), Portsmouth today offers a rare combination of history and culture, restaurants, theaters and live musical entertainment. 

Visit Portsmouth and you will be as captivated with the city as Governor Dale was 94 years ago.

Ranked #6, historic US destinations (National Geographic, 11/2008)
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"A historic gem hiding in plain sight." (NY Times Travel Section, 6/6/02)
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The Governor's House is conveniently located on a quiet street, a ten minute walk from the center of town and all that Portsmouth has to offer. 

• Strawbery Banke, a ten-acre living museum depicting the evolution of life in Portsmouth over four centuries
• Prescott Park, offering outdoor theatrical and musical productions throughout the summer
• The Music Hall, the region's center for live and cinematic arts for 130 years
• Over 100 restaurants featuring cuisine from a dozen countries
• An eclectic mix of live music venues
• Seacoast Trolley service to shopping, beaches and state parks 

• The Seacoast Repertory Theater, chosen by Boston Magazine as the premier entertainment venue on the seacoast
• Scenic cruises on the Piscataqua River, Portsmouth Harbor and to the Isles of Shoals 
• Historic houses representing the best examples of early American architecture in the country
• The Player's Ring, a small and intimate theater promoting the writing and acting talent of greater Portsmouth
• Fine art galleries, craft shops, antique shops and specialty bookstores
• Coffee shops, sidewalk cafes, breweries, an Irish pub, a British pub and much more

" . . a great American hang-out . ." (Utne Reader, May, 2002)
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