Water Country Route 1, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 3 Miles South of Traffic Circle, 603-427-1111, New England's largest water park. Try the Pirates Cove Kids Adventure areas with a huge pirate ship, volcano waterslides, and more. Offering everything from the high energy thrills of the Geronimo, Polaroid Shoot, and the Screamer to the relaxation of the Adventure River and the whirlpool. Play in the waves of the biggest wave pool in New England, or tube down the Racing Rapids and the Plunge. The smaller kids will love sliding down Big Ollie's arms at Octopus Lagoon or the fountains, slides, and waterfalls at Kiddie Kove. With so much to do, take time out to eat at one of the four snack bars, shop in the gift shop, or rest in the shaded picnic groves. Open seasonally. more...

Gilman Garrison House (circa 1709) 12 Water Street, Portsmouth, NH 03833, Nearby Exeter, 603-436-3205, Built as a fortified house, strategically sited to protect the valuable sawmills and waterpower sites owned by John Gilman. The interior of this unusual building reveals walls constructed of massive sawn logs and a pulley above the main entrance that was used to operate a portcullis, or reinforced door. In the mid 18th century, Peter Gilman substantially remodeled the house, adding a wing with elegantly paneled rooms. more...

Governor John Langdon House (circa 1784) 143 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-3205, John Langdon, merchant, signer of the Constitution, and three-term Governor of New Hampshire, built this imposing house, which was once visited by George Washington. The handsome garden features restored perennial beds, a rose and grape arbor, and a pavilion. The grounds may be rented for weddings and other occasions.  more... 

Jackson House (circa 1664) 76 Northeast Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-3205, New Hampshire's oldest surviving wood frame house is one of the earliest examples of plank frame construction in New England. more... 

John Paul Jones House 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-8420, The home where Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones reportedly rented a room today is a museum focused on Jones' life and the Revolutionary War era. It is a striking Georgian-style house with a gambrel roof maintained by the Portsmouth Historical Society. Guides in period costume interpret the various historical collections. more... 

Moffat-Ladd House And Garden (circa 1763) 154 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-8221, The historic house is remarkable for its unusual Great Hall, elaborate woodwork, fine furnishings, and extensive garden. 

Rundlett-May House (circa 1807) 364 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-3205, Merchant James Rundlet's home rises above the street proclaiming his early success in the textile trade with its finely veneered furniture and modern household conveniences. The formal gardens, orchard, and attached outbuildings remain as first used by Rundlet.  more... 

Warner House (circa 1718) 150 Daniel Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-5909, Georgian style mansion featuring stairwell murals and incredible historic art. It is the oldest brick house in the city. more... 

Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion (circa 1710) 375 Little Harbor Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801, Between South Street and Wentworth Road, 603-436-6607, Originally a working farm and home of New Hampshire's first Royal Governor Benning Wentworth. The not-for-profit Wentworth-Coolidge Commission sponsors tours, lectures, exhibits and concerts May through October. Art classes and student internships are also offered year round. Picnics welcome. more...

Wentworth-Gardner House (circa 1760) 50 Mechanic Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-4406, One of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in America, this beautifully restored house was once owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and was scheduled to be moved to Central Park in New York City. 

Fort Constitution (circa 1631) Route 1A, Portsmouth, NH, Nearby New Castle, Fort Constitution, located in New Castle adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Station at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, is likely New Hampshire's most important and interesting military fortification. In December 1774 Paul Revere rode to Portsmouth from Boston to warn the colonists of British plans to reinforce the fort, to protect its store of powder. The colonists however surrounded the fort and seized light cannon and 97 barrels of gun powder. Many consider the attack to be the first overt act of the Revolution, and it's thought that some of the supplies were used in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Fort Constitution occupies three acres and includes Portsmouth Harbor Light.  more...

Portsmouth Harbor Light House P.O. Box 8232, Portsmouth, NH 03802, Route 1B, New Castle, 603-431-9155, The only lighthouse on the mainland of New Hampshire, Portsmouth Harbor Light (also known as Fort Point Light, New Castle Light, and Fort Constitution Light) was constructed in 1877 on the grounds of Fort Constitution, a Revolutionary War fortification. The Coast Guard still owns Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and maintains it as an active aid to navigation, but the organization "The Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse" is licensed to care for the tower, oil house, and wooden walkway. Contact them for available tours. more...

Portsmouth Old Graves P.O. Box 606, Portsmouth, NH 03802, 603-436-5096, Experience the rich history of Portsmouth NH as told through its cemeteries featuring special events and programs listings, gravestone restoration projects, and noteworthy Portsmouth citizens of the past. more...

Urban Forestry Center 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-431-6774, The center is a forestry educational facility open to the public and boasting an extensive trail system, tree identifications, salt marsh habitat, and numerous landscape and garden demonstrations. 

American Independence Museum One Governor's Lane, Portsmouth, NH 03833, Nearby Exeter, 603-772-2622, Site of the New Hampshire Treasury during the American Revolution, the American Indepence Museum is today a place for the study, research, education and interpretation of the American Revolution and of the role that New Hampshire, Exeter, and the Gilman family played in the founding of the new republic.  more...

Children's Museum Of Portsmouth 280 Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-3853, Located in an 18th Century meeting house in the South End of Portsmouth, the Children's Museum features hands-on exhibits designed for learning and fun, including computers, dinosaurs, literature, and world cultures. Also features a spaceship cockpit, submarine play structure, lobster boat, and primary play structure for children under four. Offers special programs, workshops, and daily activities. more... 

N.W. Barrett 53 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-431-4262, N.W. Barrett Gallery was established in 1985 to show quality handmade crafts. Several hundred artists are represented in various mediums, including fine gems and high karat gold. The 'Upstairs Gallery' features original fine art, specializing in marine related paintings. more...

Nahcotta 110 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-433-1705, Nahcotta features rotating exhibitions of contemporary art with an emphasis on painting. They show work that ranges from representational to abstract by some of the region's finest emerging and mid-career artists. The design of their space allows for large-scale, monumental wall-size pieces to be exhibited alongside smaller, more intimate works.  more...

New Hampshire Art Association 136 State Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 603-431-4230, Established in 1940 as an educational and professional nonprofit organization with a membership of over 400 juried visual artists. NHAA offers exhibits of high quality, a wide range of subjects, and varied media with changing exhibitions throughout the year.  more...

Seacoast Gallery 371 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH 03870, 603-766-0390, Gallery that has been designed in a casual and eclectic atmosphere where patrons enjoy wandering through this unique gallery and viewing a range of art mediums including hand blown and leaded glass, blacksmithing, sculptures, photography, furnishings, collages, and fine art to name a few. As always, Seacoast Gallery is highlighting contributing artists who live in the Portland, Maine to Newburyport, Massachusetts areas.

Three Graces Gallery 105 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-1988, Three Graces is located in historic downtown Portsmouth overlooking the harbor. The gallery provides an intimate setting for both traditional and contemporary works of art by regional artists. Three Graces features changing monthly exhibitions as well as displays works by many gallery artists on an ongoing basis. In addition to the art gallery, Three Graces specializes in custom framing. more...

USS Albacore Museum and Park 600 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-436-3680, Offering year-round guided tours of the most advanced U.S. Navy submarine built before the atomic submarines. Built in Portsmouth, the USS Albacore served as the prototype for today's modern submarine fleet.  

Fuller Gardens 10 Willow Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03862, Nearby Hampton, 603-964-5414, An early 20th century estate garden in the Colonial Revival style. Open to the public from mid-May to mid-October.  more...

Strawberry Banke Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-433-1100, Strawbery Banke is a 10-acre waterfront neighborhood and museum in Portsmouth named by the first settlers in 1630 for the profusion of wild berries found on the shores of the Piscataqua River. Spend the day exploring the Portsmouth neighborhood known for 400 years as Puddle Dock. Stroll through the centuries from the 1600s to the 1950s. Visit historic houses, enjoy conversations with costumed role players, relax in the shade of award-winning period gardens and stroll the friendly lanes. more...

Seacoast Science Center 570 Ocean Boulevard, Portsmouth, NH 03870, Ordione State Park, in Nearby Rye, 603-436-8043, This year-round marine education facility offering programs, camps and exhibits for all ages. Situated on 136 acres, within which you can explore seven distinct coastal habitats. Many trails and the wooded seaside picnic area are handicapped accessible.  more...

Isles of Shoals Steamship Company 315 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, 603-431-5500, 800-441-4620, Featuring ocean expedition whale watches, morning island walkabouts, scenic lighthouse cruises, beautiful sunset dinner cruises, island picnics, and explorations. Also offering private charters and weddings. more... 

Portsmouth Harbor Cruises Ceres Street Dock, Portsmouth, NH 03801, Next to the Tugboats, 603-436-8084, 800-776-0915, The 49-passenger M/V Heritage departs daily from downtown Portsmouth for narrated cruises of Portsmouth Harbor, spectactular trips to the Isles of Shoals, and excursions up the inland rivers to Great Bay or up the Cocheco River to Dover. Operating since 1982. more...

Tug Alley Too 603-430-9556, Take a cruise in Portsmouth Harbor aboard a 38’ working tugboat. See and learn about lighthouses, forts, tugboats, Naval Shipyard, Wentworth by the Sea. By reservation or charter May through October. more...