Port Harcourt named after Lewis, Viscount Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies was originally known as "Igwe Ocha" and was founded in 1912 by the British in an area traditionally inhabited by the Ikwerre and the Ijaw. The initial purpose of the port was to export coal from Enugu. The city is a major industrial center as it has a large number of multinational firms as well as other industrial concerns, particularly business related to the petroleum industry. It is the chief oil-refining city in Nigeria, oil being one of Nigeria's most important commodities and the main foreign exchange earner. Rivers State, Port Harcourt inclusively, is very rich in tourist attractions. With its long expanses of beautiful coastal sandy beaches stretching from Opobo through Brass to Koluama, numerous long and winding creeks, streams, and rivers as well as forests with their associated shrines and wildlife, the tourism potential of Rivers State is yet to be fully tapped.

City Tourist Beach This is one of the beaches in Nigeria that provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy a tranquil and serene environment. Port Harcourt beach is clean and unsoiled and it is widely used by the local people.	Zoological Garden This is the home for localised species of animals which, include gorilla, drill, chimpanzee, an gwantibo or golden potto forest elephant, saleginella species etc. It's an ideal place to go to see uncommon animals!	Cultural Dance The city is rich in various cultural dances and activities such as masquerades Mmnanwu, Isakabari, Pioru, Alagba of Kalabari ettc. All dressed up in their beautiful costumes.
National Musuem The museum has large numbers of traditional ornaments of the 19th Century. It also contains intrinsic artworks like terra-cottas, bronze figures and cast iron pieces depicting Nigeria pre-colonial history. It is an ideal place to visit.	Golf Course An excellent 18 hole course offering a challenging round of golf. Pay and play is available when the course is not hosting a competition. Bar and bar snack services are also available. It is a lovely place to be for anyone interested in golfing.	Issac Boro Park Isaac Boro Park has survived, where many other public recreation spaces have been encroached. It is a sacred place in the heart of the ethnic minority groups. This recreational park is an ideal place to while away time and have fun with the family.
Finima Beaches Finima is a small town in Bonny Island surrounded on the west and south by long stretches of beaches. The beautiful beaches attract tourists and fun seeking inhabitants alike on sunny days and festive periods like Christmas and Easter.	The Natural Park, Finima Developed by Nigeria LNG, Finima Nature Park is popular for eco-tourism. The park covers the rain forest, mangrove swamps and area of sandy soil with fresh water ponds and tall timbers between the swamp and beach; and harbours creatures like the pygmy hippo, crocodiles, monkeys etc.	Bonny Island Situated at the southern edge of Rivers State, Bonny Island is an oil rich Island. Due to its strategic position, the island hosts various oil companies including Royal Dutch Shell, Mobil, Chevron, Agip, and Elf. The Island has beautiful beaches mostly used by the oil company staff and the locals.