Port Adelaide's main draw is its maritime and industrial history, preserved in a cluster of museums around the inner harbour. The South Australian Maritime Museum and the National Railway Museum are both excellent and often overlooked by visitors who stick to central Adelaide. The Port River dolphins — a resident pod of about 30 bottlenose dolphins that live year-round in the harbour — are one of the more unusual wildlife encounters in the state.
The inner harbour precinct has been revived over the past decade, with heritage buildings converted to cafes, bars, and galleries while retaining the port's working character. The Fishermen's Wharf Market runs on weekends, and the old main street has good independent shops and a strong sense of place.