Portsmouth lies in southern New Hampshire near the mouth of the Piscataqua River on the Maine border. Portsmouth is the third-oldest city in the United States, being first settled in 1623, and it has a rich maritime shipping legacy.
Today, Portsmouth is a lively city with an eclectic art community, and vibrant nightlife including jazz clubs and a fine selection of restaurants. In 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Portsmouth in its list of one of the top 100 walking cities in the United States.