Port Harcourt is not a city that markets itself heavily to tourists, but there is more to see and do here than its industrial reputation suggests. The Niger Delta that surrounds the city is ecologically extraordinary, and the city itself has parks, museums, a lively football culture, and a music and arts scene that reflects its position as one of Nigeria's wealthiest and most cosmopolitan cities.
The most rewarding area to explore on foot is Old GRA, the original colonial quarter, where Isaac Boro Park and Corpus Christi Cathedral give the neighbourhood its anchors. The Port Harcourt Zoo and Pleasure Park are the main green spaces in the city. The National Museum covers the art and material culture of the delta peoples. A visit to the Bonny Waterside in the early morning, where boats arrive from the creek communities, gives a direct sense of how the delta functions as a living transport network.
For sport, Rivers United FC at Yakubu Gowon Stadium provides one of the most authentic Nigerian experiences available in the city. The Port Harcourt Book Festival in November is the cultural highlight of the year.