Historic Tours of Portsmouth

Guided Walking Tours

Explore New Hampshire's Best Walking City on foot!

Portsmouth boasts 400 years of history, culture, architecture and scenic beauty. You can see it all along the Portsmouth Harbour Trail. Join a walking tour and let our knowledgeable guides highlight the historic homes, trademark tugboats and working waterfront, vibrant Market Square, blossoming Prescott Park, and more.

Depending on which tour you take, you'll hear stories about the rich and famous to the humble merchants and madams who had thriving businesses here. You may also hear about the brewers and politicians, fishermen and boat builders, writers, editors, and publishers that made Portsmouth the talk of the nation in their day. Learn how diplomats from around the globe made peace here while others simply came to paint, write, or play their music. You'll find that the people who were born here, worked here, or moved here over the past three centuries weave a colorful cultural tapestry. Portsmouth was, and still is, a town full of characters.

Highlights Tour
Walk through Portsmouth's historic downtown and hear fascinating stories of early settlers, patriots, ship builders, and entrepreneurs. Unlike those who settled other colonies for religious reasons, they came here to find their fortune. Tours start 10:30 am Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Monday, and 1:30 pm Sunday from Market Square.
Twilight Tour
Costumed role players bring to life a bawdy era when merchants, madams, sailors and immigrants mingled on Portsmouth's waterfront. You'll hear how the Water Street brothels thrived, how they influenced the politics of the day and how they met their demise at the hands of "reformists." Tours start 5:30 pm, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Monday from Market Square.
Portsmouth Peace Treaty Tour (on request)
A century ago, the eyes of the world turned to Portsmouth, NH as the center of an international event -the signing of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty that ended a bloody war between Japan and Russia. President Theodore Roosevelt initiated the peace process and was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic efforts. A tour of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Trail will introduce you to the people, places and events of the peace process, from the delegates' arrival by ship to the symphony of church bells that declared the peace throughout the city.

Tours depart from the Market Square info kiosk June-October, and last between 1-1.5 hours.

Tour Schedules: 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. -Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Monday; Sunday 1:30 p.m.

Prices: Adults $8; Seniors $7; Kids 8-14, $5; Under 8, Free. Reservations recommended but not required.

Private group walking tours and step-on bus guide service available year-round by advanced reservation only. Groups of 10 or more: $6 per person.

Contact the Chamber at 603-610-5510 or info@portsmouthchamber.org.

To order a Harbour Trail Map & Guide visit the Chamber Store.

Click here for a virtual tour.