Market Square
Portsmouth, NH


Photo courtesy of SeacoastNH.com Early Images.

Market Square, the hub of downtown Portsmouth, looks much today as it did when the postcard above was mailed at the turn of the 20th century. Following a series of devastating fires in the eaily 1800s, Portsmouth mandated the use of brick buildings in its commercial area. Today this Federalist style appearance has been adapted with wider sidewalks and restored street lamps to handle the constant flow of visitors. Called 'the restaruant capital of the Northeast" the city boasts more dining sites per capita than other New England towns. With a population of just 20,000, Portsmouth has become, according to Fodor's guide, one of the best undiscovered small towns in America for visitors. It won't seem undiscovered if you arrive on a busy weekend. The shops on Congres and Market Street, Pleasant and Daniel (seen here) fan out toward an array of historic houses, walking tours, museums, galleries and the famous waterfront.

HOURS: 24-7
WEBSITE: http://www.cityofportsmouth.com/
ADMISSION: Free to see
ADDRESS: Market Square Portsmouth, NH 03802
DIRECTIONS: From Route 95 take the historic district exit and you will arrive up Market Street seen that enters one-way into the square
LINKS: More downtown history, Chamber of Commerce,