Summer is great for fishing and beach fans, and the hiking trails will be at their best as well. Travel between June and August for the finest weather, but beware that the Independence Day in July can be busy. For a beautiful alternative, visit New Hampshire in the autumn (September to November) when the leaves are in full colour. It’s a magical and unforgettable spectacle. Cheap flights to Portsmouth should be available all year round but for the best deals avoid the summer holidays.
BOS Temperature | -1 - 23 °C |
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If weather is an important factor for your trip to Portsmouth, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 23.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around -1.0 C).
One of the oldest cities in the United States, Portsmouth offers an appealing blend of 17th century architecture, great outdoor activities and a thriving programme of cultural events.
Founded in 1623, the city has many buildings from its early days, and visitors can tour every major landmark on well described tours. Head to the evocative Strawbery Banke Museum to wander around a superbly preserved 17th century neighbourhood to experience a walk back in time.
More recently, Portsmouth has been a major naval centre, and you can learn all about that part of its history at the fantastic Albacore Museum, where visitors can tour a US Navy submarine.
The city is also in a beautiful natural setting, with plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Take to the water slides and lazy river at Water Country water park, take a scenic cruise to the Isle of Shoals, or visit the fascinating Children’s Museum.
For adults, Portsmouth also offers the chance to sample some of America’s finest micro-breweries like Red Hook and the Smuttynose Brewery. Join tours and see why the craft brewing sector is so vibrant in New Hampshire.
There is also a packed schedule of cultural events, which stretches across the year. Be there for the spectacular Halloween Parade, take in jazz and dance events at the summer-long Prescott Park Arts Festival or time a visit to coincide with the Market Square Food Festival, held in June.
Beyond the city itself, New Hampshire has beautiful hiking country, great beaches like Hampton and historical sights like the Nubble Cape Lighthouse. See animals at York Wild Kingdom or learn about technology at the Seacoast Science Museum. It’s all possible in Portsmouth.
To get the most out of a stay in Portsmouth, a rental car is a great idea. Drive into the countryside or cruise the coast as far as Boston. However, during summer and autumn a bus service runs along the coast and the city centre is extremely walkable. There’s no better way to discover the many historical buildings than by taking a stroll.
It’s not hard to get from the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM) to the centre of Portsmouth. Buses head from the airport to cities like Manchester and Boston, but the best bet for getting into town is to take a taxi or limousine from the terminal doors. There are also specialist airport shuttle buses that need to be booked beforehand, so plan ahead.