New Hampshire's Historic Seacoast captures the essence of New England's oceanfront. In just 18 miles of coastline, there are long, sandy beaches, working ports, offshore islands, surf-stung rocks, and popular resort towns and villages that date back nearly four hundred years. Many visitors begin their tours of New Hampshire along the coast, drawn by the sound and scent of the sea, and intrigued by all the region offers.

At its center, the city of Portsmouth is the second oldest in New Hampshire. Originally settled in 1623 as Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth was incorporated as a town in 1631. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Portsmouth gained notoriety as a major shipbuilding center, centered around the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which was established in 1800.