Albacore Museum and Park , 600 Market St., +1 603-436-3680, [15] . Unusual opportunity to tour a U.S

Settled in 1623, as Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth is a historic seaport that boasts an intriguing mix of the old and the new. As one of the oldest cities in the US, it was founded just three years after the settlement at Plymouth MA, the city has a walkable scale that is more often seen in European villages quality accommodation zurich then in US cities.
The city sits 2 miles inland from the sea, on the safe deep harbor waters of the Piscataqua river. Its history quality accommodation zurich as a seaport is an integral part of understanding Portsmouth today and yesterday. The city once was home to the founder of the US Navy, John Paul Jones, whose historic house still stands and is open to the public. [1] It continues to be home to the Portsmouth Shipyard, where the the HMS Falkland was built in 1690 for the British Navy and continues today, more then three centuries quality accommodation zurich later, as a Navy shipyard that repairs and upgrades Los Angeles class nuclear submarines.
Today, the city's economy is a mix of the traditional with tugboats pulling in large ships to haul scrap material, fishman still plying the waters from Pierce Island, and new economy jobs in software and biotech at Lonza Biologics which is now one of the area's largest employers.
quality accommodation zurich It is also the center of a growing metropolitian quality accommodation zurich region, often called, "The Seacoast," that is home to 125,000 and includes the coastal towns of Rye , Hampton , and Newcastle in New Hampshire and Kittery and York in Maine, as well as the inland cities quality accommodation zurich of of Rochester and Dover , NH. This region is known for its high quality of life and ranks as the 16th safest region in the United States according to Morgan quality accommodation zurich Quitno's 2003 report.
Although the city has attracted an influx of newer residents who have come for the small town with big city amenities quality accommodation zurich in the midst of an area of great natural beauty, the city still retains a good measure of stubborn independent spirit. If you doubt this, pick up a copy of the local weekly newspaper, the New Hampshire Gazette, which is free around town and take in the local view.
Today, you will still find an old styled barbershop as well as upscale coffee shops, a shop selling quality accommodation zurich handmade quality accommodation zurich gourmet chocolates across quality accommodation zurich from a cooperative quality accommodation zurich art gallery, and a slick seafood restaurant that could be in LA (the owners were from LA) next to place called the Friendly Toast that is decorated with 70s kitsch purchased on eBay.
In this friendly small town you will also find an easily digestible quality accommodation zurich mix of small town vibe combined with cultural, dining, shopping, and nightlife variety that is usually only found in more urban settings. The downtown contains Strawberry Banke, a living history museum, Prescott Park a beautiful urban park, and a number of riverside bars and restaurants quality accommodation zurich to while away the day. If you want to get away from downtown, within a few miles are several ocean side parks that have facilities and beaches, often built around a historic fort, usually including a charming view of a lighthouse and sailboats.
To take maximum advantage, slow down and explore the city on foot. Take the time to linger a bit and talk to the locals walking their dog or the visitor relaxing at a sidewalk cafe. This is the best way to get a feel for the strong sense of place that has made Portsmouth a vibrant community both in the past and today.
The local airport to Portsmouth, Pease, no longer has commercial flights. Instead, Portsmouth is primarily accessible by flights into Manchester and Portland, both an hour by car, or Boston, roughly an hour car ride in good traffic, or an hour and a half by train. Frequent buses on C J Trailways [2] travel between Boston's Logan airport and Boston's South Station quality accommodation zurich Train Terminal to the Portsmouth Transportation center.
Amtrak Downeaster , ☎ +1 207 780-1000 (toll free: +1 800 872-7245 , info@nnepra.com , fax : +1 207 780-1001 ), [6] . M-F 5:45AM-1:45AM, Sa-Su 6AM-1:45AM . Services nearby Dover with service from Boston, MA to Portland, ME. The COAST [7] bus service operates quality accommodation zurich between the Dover Transportation quality accommodation zurich Center and downtown Portsmouth Monday through Saturday. $6-25 . edit
Portsmouth is primarily accessible via Interstate quality accommodation zurich 95 from the north and south . Coming from anywhere outside of New England requires travel on the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate 90, a toll interstate, east towards Worcester and Boston . Exit the pike onto I-290N through Worcester and onto I-495N, which connects to I-95. I-95 is a toll road through New Hampshire, charging $2.00 both ways at Hampton, NH . Interstate 95 runs through Portsmouth and into Kittery , Maine.
C J , (toll free: +1 800 258-7111 , customercare@ridecj.com , fax : +1 603 433-8960 ), [8] . Provides commuter and tourist transportation to Portsmouth Transportation Center from Boston's South Station and Logan airport. edit
Wildcat Transit , 295 Mast Rd, Durham, NH , ☎ +1 603 862-2328 ( fax : +1 603 862-2638 ), [9] . Provides bus service from the University of New Hampshire campus in Durham, NH to Portsmouth, Dover and Newmarket. Vastly reduced services in summer. $1.50 . edit
Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation quality accommodation zurich ( COAST ), 42 Summer Dr., Dover, quality accommodation zurich NH , ☎ +1 603 743-5777 ( info@coastbus.org ), [10] . Services the Portsmouth region with a number of economical bus routes quality accommodation zurich between Portsmouth, Dover , and Rochester . edit
Note: Portsmouth Transportation Center is 3 miles outside town, with no obvious signed walking route, and infrequent bus service (no busses on Sunday.) quality accommodation zurich If you don't have a car, the staff in the bus station can call a taxi for you, expect to pay $15-$20 to downtown. Don't forget to get the taxi number so that you can get back!
Cars work best for navigating the New Hampshire seacoast region. quality accommodation zurich Highways are well maintained and convenient, though the summer months see a major influx of tourists and congestion on I-95 occurs frequently. The cities in the region quality accommodation zurich experience moderate traffic, except for the beaches during quality accommodation zurich prime times such as early afternoon, which get very crowded.
The city of Portsmouth is small and the major historical points of interest are easily visited on foot. Most downtown establishment will have one of the free local maps available that make touring the downtown on foot easy. You could also walk along the Portsmouth Harbor Trail [12] .
The Strawbery Banke Museum , 420 Court Street (I-95, exit 7), Phone: +1 603-433-1100, [14] . May-late Oct 10AM-5PM, late Oct-Dec on some weekends 10AM-2PM and for candlelight strolls in Dec. Strawbery Banke is an historic neighborhood quality accommodation zurich of 42 buildings that have been perserved intact as they were in the 17th and 18th century. This unique outdoor museum affords a rare opportunity to just walk back in time. It features houses that have been restored to a particular point in time, buildings that are used for special exhibits, gardens, and artisans practicing traditional trades. Adults $15, ages 5-17 $10, under 5 free, Family Rate (2 adults youths 5-17) $40.
Albacore Museum and Park , 600 Market St., +1 603-436-3680, [15] . Unusual opportunity to tour a U.S. Navy submarine, that was in service from 1953 to 1972, and now is dry docked in a small park just outside of downtown Portsmouth. The USS Albacore was built in Portsmouth, had a crew of 55, and served as the test bed for today's modern submarine fleet. Open until 5PM in the summer and until 4PM in the winter. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children with a $10 deal for a familly of four.
Red Hook Ale Brewery , 35 Corporate Drive, Phone: +1 603-430-8600, [17] . The east coast brewery for Redhook located in the former Pease Air Force Base which is now an industrial park. The Brewery has an on site pub which often has special beer that is only available at the brewery. Tours of this large brewery are available every day.
Portsmouth Brewery , 56 Market St, Phone: +1 603-431-1115, [18] . Located in downtown, with an onsite pub that doubles as a full-service restaurant. Perhaps best known for their Russian Imperial Stout, "Kate the Great", which has won numerous awards and was named Beer Advocate's number one beer in America. quality accommodation zurich Great food, great beer.
Smuttynose Brewery , 255 Heritage Ave, Phone: +1 603-436-4026, [19] . the sister brewery to the Portsmouth Brewery brewpub, successful enough to now be listed as a regional craft Brewery from a microbrewery, there is no onsite pub but it does offer tours every Thursday and Fridays at 3PM. The name of the brewery is taken from one of the Islands in the Isle of Shoals off the coast of Portsmouth. Their Smuttynose IPA, Old Brown Dog, and Shoals Pale Ale have won numerous awards.
The Music Hall , 28 Chestnut St, Phone: +1 603-436-2400, [20] . The seacoast's premier performing arts center puts on daily events in its 900 seat theatre built in 1878 located quality accommodation zurich downtown on what is now a pedestrian only street. They have a weekly independent film series and have a diverse roster of opera, music performances in all genres (Bright Eyes to Kronos Quartet), comedy, theatre, and dance. quality accommodation zurich There is always something going on that is worthwhile to check out.
The Seacoast Repertory Theatre , 125 Bow St, Phone: +1 603-433-4472. This theatre puts on many shows per season that are perfect for individuals in any age bracket (from 9 year olds to 99 year olds). It is small in size and does not hold as many people compared to the Music Hall. They put on a wide array of shows ranging from musicals, dramas to comedies.
Water Country Water Park , Just south of town on Route 1, the water park has calm attractions quality accommodation zurich where you wander around a lazy path in a tube, dramatic water slides, and wave tidal pools. Summer fun. Phone: +1 603-427-1111, [24] .
Pierce Island Pool , Located on Pierce Island, one of the largest public swimming pools in New England. Features changing rooms and a snack bar. One end of the pool has 7 lap lanes, while the other end has a 5 years and under swim area. Open from mid June to late August. Cost $2 ($1 for Portsmouth residents) Phone: +1 (603) 427-0717, 99 Pierce quality accommodation zurich Island Road.
Thomas Laighton Cruises Located on 315 Market Str