Perched at the mouth of the Piscataqua River on a scenic working harbor, Portsmouth combines the charm of a small New England port city with a diversified economy, easy access to Boston, spectacular natural beauty, and big-city culture.

In 2007, The New York Times called Portsmouth, NH "a mini-Boston … bustling with shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants." It went on to say, Portsmouth "is a seacoast town without a beach, an escapist retreat with a decidedly real-world spin."

Founded in 1623, Portsmouth is recognized as one of America's hottest small cities: Money and Cosmopolitan magazines both named Portsmouth in their top 10 best places to live; Men's Journal named Portsmouth one of their top 50 best places to live; the AARP lists the city in its "15 best places to reinvent your life;" CNNMoney called Portsmouth one of its "Best Places to Retire;" Fodor listed Portsmouth on its top 10 list of overlooked and underrated places to vacation; and writer Terry Pindell devoted a chapter of his book A Nice Place to Live to describing its charms. 

In 2008, Portsmouth was selected one of America's "Distinctive Destinations," a prestigious honor bestowed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In beating out 60 other destinations, Portsmouth was honored for its "captivating blend of coastal beauty, historic buildings and a lively downtown." The Trust also cited a "packed history," an "elegant seaport" and historically rich Strawbery Banke. There are currently 108 "Distinctive Destinations" located in 42 states.

The popular book Beachcombing for a Shipwrecked God was set on the Portsmouth waterfront, and the Wentworth Hotel in neighboring New Castle was the backdrop for the Stephen Speilberg/Annette Bening/Aidan Quinn movie In Dreams. Other films that used Portsmouth as a key locale include Cinderella Liberty, Jumanji, Thinner and The Good Son.

Funky shops, elegant inns, varied restaurants and fun clubs make Portsmouth's historic brick and cobblestone downtown one of Northern New England's most popular tourist destinations. Anywhere you land in downtown Portsmouth, you're never more than a 10-minute walk from your diversion of choice. From early summer right through the dead of winter, people stroll the narrow, colorful streets, watch the tugboats guide huge freighters out of the harbor, take in free outdoor by-the-sea performances at scenic Prescott Park, or just people watch in Market Square over a cup of high-octane coffee. Twice a year - Market Square Day in June and First Night Portsmouth on New Year's Eve - the quaint downtown becomes a giant pedestrian mall dotted with street performers, vendors, musicians, and parades, and always, lots and lots of food.

With more than 40 restaurants in downtown alone, Portsmouth is one of the eating capitals of New England. Southwestern Fusion. French bistro. Sushi. Mexican. Indian curry. Caribbean wood grille. Every variety of Italian. Thai. Steak houses. Pub food. And, of course fresh seafood and Maine lobster. If you can't find it in Portsmouth, you probably can't find it anywhere.

There's a lot to do in Portsmouth besides eating and shopping. Music fans can hear live bands in downtown clubs. Local theaters and the non-profit Prescott Park Arts Festival produce plays throughout the year. The historic Music Hall attracts nationally prominent performers. Local cinemas feature hard-to-find independent flicks.

The beaches of Rye, North Hampton and Hampton in New Hampshire and York/Ogunquit in Maine are a short drive out of Portsmouth. Boat cruises, deep-sea fishing trips and whale watches run daily from Portsmouth and Rye harbors during the warm weather. The scenic Isles of Shoals beckons a short boat ride off the coast.

Portsmouth is steeped in history. The Strawbery Banke Museum and historic mansion tours replicate life in Portsmouth throughout its 300-plus-year history. There are many different tours in Portsmouth including: the Black Heritage Trail; Ghostly Lighthouse Walk; Historic Portsmouth Legends and Ghost Walk; and the Portsmouth Harbour Trail featuring 10 National Historic Landmark buildings.

Visit Portsmouth; you won't want to leave.