Finally, the summertime is here! If you’re considering taking a summer vacation in Port Harcourt, you’re making the right decision. We would be helping you curate the best summer holiday destinations available in the city of Port Harcourt. With our help, you will create the perfect summer vacation for you and your loved ones in 2023.
Equally important, for most people in Nigeria, the summer holiday represents a break from busy school work and work schedules. Lots of schools are on vacation during this period which usually commences from mid-June to late September. This affords parents the best opportunity to spend quality time with their family. Let’s help make this summer vacation an exciting experience.
What’s more, we will tell you things to do in Port Harcourt during your time here, vacation places in Port Harcourt, and the splendid destinations in Port Harcourt this summer.
Summer Vacation in Port-Harcourt
Port-Harcourt is the largest city and capital of Rivers State, located in Southern Nigeria. It is one of the oil-rich, megacities in the country, and also one of its leading industrial hubs.
In addition, the city is estimated 3.5 million people live in the urban areas alone. Being a very populous city in Nigeria, Port Harcourt experiences a consistent influx of visitors all year round. It is one of the most prominent cities in the country in terms of visitor popularity, and the fifth largest city in Nigeria, only behind Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, and Kaduna.
Since Port Harcourt is a hustling city with lots of commercial activities taking place, you will find vibrant and exciting nightlife, with lots of hubs, hotels, clubs, and joints. Most importantly, Port-Harcourt’s fascinating scenery, with a calm and peaceful nature, has earned it its sobriquet, the Garden City.
Summertime in Port Harcourt means more events taking place during this period. You will find the nightlife becoming more rampant, with events lasting into the wee hours of the morning.
Finally, with that said, let’s glide you through that entertaining side of Port-Harcourt that has made it a top-notch holiday destination. During your summer vacation in Nigeria, you’d be treated to how lovely the city of Port-Harcourt is. Your summer vacation in Port Harcourt is about to be lit!
Summer Vacation in Port Harcourt – Things to do
It is not a secret that Port Harcourt is one of the most exciting cities to spend your summer vacation in Nigeria. There are lots of fun things to do during your summer vacation in Port Harcourt. When it comes to the nightlife and side attractions, the city has much in stock for visitors.
Moreover, there are historical places to visit, malls to explore and Parks to relax and have a nice time. Therefore, if you’re in Port Harcourt and unsure of what to do, we present these summer vacation ideas. We hope to make your stay in the garden city as memorable as they come.
Explore Nature
Spending time exploring the outdoors is one of the ways to spend an exciting summer vacation in Port Harcourt. Your busy schedule might have kept you away from these exciting places, but here’s your chance. You can explore historical sights within the city, spend time meditating in a quiet garden or just relax in the richness of artefacts in the museum.
Where to Explore Nature in Port Harcourt
| S/N | Place & Website/Page | Address/Google Map Link | Contact Information |
| 1 | Lush Gardens | Lush Gardens, First Gate, Circular Rd, Elekahia, Port Harcourt | 08184530355 |
| 2 | Port Harcourt Zoo | Peter Odili Rd, Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, | 0816 899 0035 |
| 3 | National Museum Port Harcourt | Near No. 2 Hairle Street, Opp Delta Hotel, Old GRA, Port Harcourt | 08063809560 |
| 4 | Port Harcourt Golf Club | 84 Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt | 08080453764 |
Parks and Recreational Centers
Your summer vacation in Port Harcourt won’t be complete without visiting many of the amusement parks and public recreation centres around the city. There are lots of them, too. Port Harcourt, dubbed the Garden City, is well-known for its greenery and beautiful locations. The parks contain indoor games, outdoor playgrounds, and amusement arcade screen games for older kids and adults alike. These beautiful parks are a must-visit whenever you’re in Port Harcourt.
Where to Find Parks and Recreational Centers in Port Harcourt
| S/N | Place & Website/Page | Address/Google Map Link | Contact Information |
| 1. | Port Harcourt Pleasure Park | Beside Bori Camp, Aba Road, Port Harcourt | 09060022295 09099111060 |
| 2. | The Vineyard Shopping and Entertainment Center | 88 Woji Road, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt | 08117168063 08067471407 |
| 3. | Delight Zone Amusement Park | Off Sani Abacha Rd, GRA, Phase 3, Port Harcourt | 08039227103 0803312985 |
| 4. | Garden City Amusement Park | Plot 41A Birabi Street, GRA Phase 1, Rumuadaolu Port Harcourt | 08035449051 |
| 5. | Springs Gardens | 10 Peter Odili Road, Portharcourt | 08135296546 |
| 6 | Gidam Parks and Gardens | Along Airport Road & Rumuodomaya/ Rukpokwu Road, Rukpokwu, Port Harcourt | 08056032730 |
Picnics
When was the last time you were out on a picnic with just your spouse or family? Can’t remember? We understand. The rigours of eking out a living can take a toll on the amount of time available for fun activities. This is coupled with the fact that the kids may be busy with school work and camps and so on. Sometimes, there’s no time to engage in fun activities.
However, Summertime is here and it offers you the opportunity to create the perfect summer vacation by having a quality outdoor picnic with your family. It’s time to get outside and get the much-needed fresh air in a serene and green environment. Fortunately, Port Harcourt has lots of Parks for the perfect picnic gathering.
Where to Host Picnics in Port Harcourt
| S/N | Place & Website/Page | Address/Google Map Link | Contact Information |
| 1. | Isaac Boro Park | Old GRA, Mile 1, Aba – Port Harcourt expressway | |
| 2. | TCK Family Park, Rutaland | Igwuruta-Eneka Road, Beside Sobaz Filling Station, Greater, Port Harcourt | 08032918269 08066755798 |
| 3. | Tii-Ama Galaxy | Km6, East west road – opposite Arfem filling station, Rumuodara Port Harcourt, | 07062146516 |
| 4. | Port Harcourt Pleasure Park | Beside Bori Camp, Aba Road, Port Harcourt | 09060022295 09099111060 |
Gaming and Movies
Going to the movies is one of the best ways for families to bond and spend quality time together. The best part? You get to do this in places where you can also meet new friends and like-minded families. So, a great way to simultaneously delight your family is by going out to the cinemas to see the latest blockbuster and trending movies that everyone’s talking about.
Gaming is no longer considered something for just the kids, with adults now also partaking in this fun activity. There’s a friendly gaming culture throughout the city of Port Harcourt. Join in the excitement and make this summer vacation the best. Try visiting these gaming hubs to entertain yourself.
Where to Find Cinemas and Gaming Lounges in Port Harcourt
| S/N | Place & Website/Page | Address/Google Map Link | Contact Information |
| 1. | Genesis Deluxe Cinemas | 39, Tombia Street, Genesis Center, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt, | 0816 191 8999 |
| 2. | Kada Cinemas | Kada Cinemas Pleasure Park Aba Road, Port Harcourt | 08034802723 |
| 3. | Pepperoni Cinemas | 5 Odu Street, Stadium Link Road, Port Harcourt | 0818 406 2136 |
| 4. | XVG Gaming Lounge | 1st Floor Iconmobile Building, Rumuola, Port Harcourt | 09082303442 |
| 5. | 99PlayNG Gaming Lounge | 20 Woji Rd, Woji, Port Harcourt, | 08122639764 |
Sporting Activities
Spending your summer vacation in Port Harcourt is the perfect opportunity to try out sports activities that have always enticed you. The City is full of stadiums, sporting centres, and gyms. Port Harcourt is home to popular football clubs such as Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, Dolphins FC, Rivers Angels, and Rivers United, among others.
These teams are either in the Nigerian Professional Football League or the Nigerian National League and other lower divisions. So, you can quickly drive into the many stadiums in the city and watch some of these teams play and partake in the fun. Not a fan of football? There are other sporting clubs based in the city such as the Port Harcourt Polo Club, and the Stunt Riders Skating Club, among others.
Where to Engage in Sporting Activities in Port Harcourt
| S/N | Place & Website/Page | Address/Google Map Link | Contact Information |
| 1. | Pinballing – Port Harcourt Pleasure Park | Peace Park, Between Army Bori Camp and Airforce base junction, City Centre, Port Harcourt | 0906 002 2295 |
| 2. | Yakubu Gowon Stadium | Ken-Saro Wiwa Road, Rumuola, Port Harcourt | 0809 989 8930 |
| 3. | Port Harcourt Polo Club | No 2 Tombia Street, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt | 08033391322 |
| 4. | Python Golf Course | Bori Camp Road, Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt |
Places to Stay During Your Summer Vacation in Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt is awash with lots of great places to spend your summer holiday. However, when it comes to travelling, whether for business or pleasure, finding the right hotel with the right amenities, and the right location may be a difficult task, even for seasoned travellers.
While some may prefer hotels that are far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, others may prefer to be where the action is. It’s all a matter of preference. With this in mind, we’ve curated what we consider the best vacation rentals in Port Harcourt using these criteria:
Hotel Reviews: Most of these hotels have glowing reviews, with customers satisfied with their services and the vacation rental packages on offer.
Location: Some of them are located in G.R.A, a high-brow, serene and secure environment. They’re also near tourist attractions and landmarks, offering access to nearby attractions and public transit such as the airport.
Amenities: Lots of world-class amenities are available in these hotels to make your stay great, including leisure facilities.
Services: All the hotels offer great services, with raving hospitality being a key feature of them all.
10 Best Places to Stay During Your Summer Vacation in Port Harcourt
Best Restaurants to Explore During Your Summer Vacation in Port Harcourt
The food scene in Port Harcourt tells us a lot about the city itself – vibrant, flavorful, colourful and diverse. No matter the time of the day, or where you are, you will always find classic restaurants satiating the appetites of locals and visitors alike.
There are lots of local cuisines on offer, including Catfish pepper soup, Ofada rice, Fisherman soup, Bole, and Nkwobi. Everything’s on offer here. On the other hand, you can immerse yourself in a variety of continental dishes from Pan-Asian, Europe and Africa.
So here’s our guide to the best restaurants to try out during your summer vacation in Port Harcourt.
Where to Find The Best Restaurants in Port Harcourt
| S/N | Place & Website/Page | Address/Google Map Link | Contact Information |
| 1. | BoomTown Restaurant and Coffee Shop | Phase 1, 15c Omerelu Street, New GRA, Port Harcourt | 0809 400 0060 |
| 2. | Concave Lankafushi | Phase 2, 165 Woji Road, GRA, Port Harcourt | 0912 912 4948 |
| 3. | 15onHerbert | 15 Herbert Macaulay Road, Amadi, Port Harcourt | 0913 792 3492 |
| 4. | Asian Town | 24 Forces Avenue, Old GRA – Port Harcourt | 0810 662 2000 |
| 5. | Creed Upscale Bistro and Bar | 31 Apara Rd, Elechi, Port Harcourt | 08094414830 |
| 6. | Michael’s Gardens Restaurant | Aba Expy, City Centre, Port Harcourt | 0807 091 1111 |
| 7. | Tacos Suculento | 38 Abacha Road, GRA Phase 3, Port Harcourt | 0814 364 3487 |
| 8. | My Wingside | 30/33 Sani Abacha Road, The Autograph Mall, Port Harcourt | 0809 019 1999 |
| 9. | Sweet Tooth Confectioneries | 51 Tombia St, GRA Phase, Port Harcourt | 0908 612 2222 |
| 10. | City Fresh Cafe | Plot 60 Evo Road, GRa 500272, Port Harcourt | 0805 607 5263 |
Find here our detailed review of the best places to eat in Port Harcourt!
Summer Events Happening in Port Harcourt
The Bole Festival
This is arguably the biggest food festival in the country. It is an annual street food event that brings food lovers together from all over the country in showcasing bole, a delectable street food, and upholding it as a cultural heritage. This year’s festival would be beyond just a food exhibition with music, comedy, dance, games, and guest performances by top artists from all over the country taking centre stage. More information on the date and venue would be rolled out by organizers.
Native Carnival
This is a yearly event hosted to showcase the African heritage, cultural display, healthy competitions and diverse food from different cultures across Nigeria. The fifth anniversary of this event is scheduled to take place on the 11th of June, 2023 at the Autograph Field, 30/33 Sani Abacha Road, GRA, Port Harcourt. The organizers are promising to give you a run for your money, and an entertainment-filled event that would have you longing for more!
Conclusion on Unique Things To Do During Your Summer Vacation in Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt City is one of the exciting places to spend your summer holidays. Renowned as a vibrant and bustling coastal city attracting people from all over the world, spending your summer vacation in Port Harcourt should be on everyone’s Wishlist.
In summary, whether you’re looking for an enthralling adventure or simply want to explore the local culture, the city has enough to offer visitors. So, as your carefully plan your summer vacation this year, we hope that you use this curated guide to get the best from all that Port Harcourt has to offer!
Meanwhile, if you plan on spending your Christmas vacation in Port Harcourt, check out our article on that topic!