Boasting over 60,000 acres of natural beauty and recreation, the Shawnee State Forest is anchored by the Shawnee Resort and Conference Center with its magnificent lodge, restaurant, pools, campground, and areas for outdoor activities including golfing, boating, fishing, and hiking.

 

Home of the Bears as well as the Golden Bear Club for Senior Citizens, Shawnee State features the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts (VRCFA) and Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association (SOPAA), Clark Planetarium, James A. Rhodes Athletic Center, and more.

 

Portsmouth is famous for its amazing Floodwall Murals which were painted by renown Robert Dafford and depict the history of Scioto County.

 

Running along the banks of the Ohio River, The Boneyfiddle Historic District was once the bustling downtown center of Portsmouth.  Now  it is a quieter section of town popular with visitors and residents for its antique shops, cafes and eateries, parks, and numerous spaces that have been renovated for residential or office use while maintaining their historic, industrial charm.  

 

Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center (SOMACC) boasts five galleries and four permanent collections of important cultural heritage, as well as an auditorium, learning center, and a nearby studio for training in performing arts.

 

Movie goers can choose from the Portsmouth Cinemas and the nearby Wheelersburg Cinemas.

 

In Portsmouth, you'll find many privately owned restaurants with a lot of local charm as well as a few chain restaurants. Some of the notable eateries in town include: Scioto Ribber, Port City Cafe & Pub, The Portsmouth Brewery Company, Market Street Cafe, The Mill, Coffee at the Lofts, Silver Palace (Chinese), Yamato (Japanese), Toro Loco (Mexican), Melini Cucina (Italian), Mex-Itali, Giovanni’s, Fred’s Pizza, Brain Freeze Frozen Yogurt, Opa! Gyro Shop, Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebee’s, Bob Evan’s, and many fast food chains.

 

Portsmouth is home to two state-of-the-art hospitals, Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) and Kings Daughter’s Medical Center (KDMC) as well as numerous respected doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals.