by Victoria Rose Perkins

Created on: November 24, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

If your destination is Portsmouth, NH, you will be in for a great surprise. This little city of approximately 21,000 has won some prestigious awards for a number of reasons.

Portsmouth was settled in 1623 and has the distinction of being one of the first three American cities in the US. Quite naturally Portsmouth is rich in historical value. It is considered, because of its geographical location and cultural diversity, to be a regular on the list of the "best places to live" lists.

Prevention Magazine named Portsmouth "one of the top 100 walking cities in 2008. Portsmouth deserves to be on that list due to its location and beautiful attractions. While you browse through hundreds of shops, art galleries, restaurants, parks, all within easy walking distance, you cant help but be impressed with the arcitecture.

Portsmouth was put on the list of the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" because of its "on of the most culturally rich destinations in the country with a stimulating mix of historic buildings, sidewalk cafese, great restrants, art agalleries, jazz clubs and distinctive artisans's boutiques.

Another accolade comes from Forbes Traveler Magazine. In 2009, Portsmouth was added to the list of "America's Presttiest Towns."

Portsmouth is exciting and yet relaxing, too. You can stroll through Prescott Park and enjoy the free summer concerts. Each summer a musical show is offered at night. Folks bring a blanket and a picnic supper to sit on the grass and enjoy such musical plays such as Greese, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, South Pacific and each year a new one is presented.

Portsmouth has every kind of food to offer, from every culture you can imagine. Irish, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Grecian and more. If you walk down to Annabelle's Ice Cream, they offer such ice cream delights as "My Yellow BRick Road, Swiss Chocolate Avalance, Mint Summer's Night Dream. Portsmouth is a leading contender for the title of "US city with the most restaruants per capita. No going hungry here, folks.

Besides the many museums to visit, across from Prescott Park is the Strawberry Banke Museum. Here you can witness live persons dressed in period costumes working in their homes that cover an amazing four centuries!

For the kids, there is Water Country which is New England's largest water park. Boat trips out to explore the Isle of Shoals, and the hands-on Children's Museum. Truly, Portsmouth has it all.

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