A visit to Portsmouth satisfies just about every travel yearning. For marine history, there are shipyards and museums to explore. Numerous antiques shops have hidden treasures. If you enjoy public art, you can view more than a dozen displays over eight city blocks. This historic little city has been around since 1752. Despite its age, it remains one of the hippest seaports in the country.
Start your Portsmouth exploration with a self-guided walk along the Path of History, a waterfront walkway that strings together several historical sites. Stroll through the charming Olde Towne Historic District, with its many antiques shops, multiple museums, fine dining and centuries-old homes.
Wander from Olde Towne to the Lightship Portsmouth Museum, where you’ll find uniforms, models and photos in a 1915 lightship docked on land. Eventually, you’ll arrive at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum. Plan to wander for a couple hours here, learning about the shipyard’s nearly 250-year history through ship models and artifacts from the 1700s through 1900s.
In addition to studying marine history, stop at Portsmouth’s many other highlights, including the Children’s Museum of Virginia, a must for families. From antique trains to a hands-on port exhibit to a full-dome planetarium, the museum caters to kids’ imaginations. Nearby, the historic Commodore Theatre offers delights in its own way, with full-service dining while you watch the latest film, in a setting that has been restored to its original art deco style.
After these explorations, satisfy your appetite at one of Portsmouth’s many great restaurants. Find menus with everything from Southern comfort foods, international cuisine, burgers and fries to crabcakes.
Portsmouth is in Virginia at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay. Get here from Norfolk by car or the pedestrian Elizabeth River Ferry. You can also travel back and forth by water taxi and kayak. Park for free for up to 2 hours on High Street. Metered spots, garages and lots offer free parking on Saturdays and Sundays and weekday evenings.
