Visiting Ohio for the summer? One of the most ideal places to go during this time is the beautiful Shawnee State Park. This favorite Ohio attraction is a 6 hour drive from the River Inn Hotel and it is definitely worth the wait. Spend a day or two in Portsmouth speaking with the locals and they will give you a long list of summer must-do’s for when you arrive in Shawnee.

Shanwee State Park is 3,983 acres and a part of Pennsylvania’s scenic Ridge and Valley Province. It is named for Shawnee Creek, which once flowed through the park and was eventually damned to create the 451-acre recreational Shawnee Lake. It has the perfect balance of natural wonder and modern facilities. There are 293 sites in the Campgrounds that can accommodate either tents or trailers. There is also a centrally located bathhouse with flush toilets and hot showers available.

There are an abundance of recreational activities in Shawnee, such as hiking, boating, hunting, disc golf, fishing and biking. For the avid hiker, there are over 16 miles of trails for you to explore. Shawnee Lake is the perfect place to have fun on the water with paddleboats, canoes and rowboats available for rent. You can even soak up some sun on the beach or try your luck at fishing. Common fish include smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike and catfish.

We definitely recommend starting your journey from Portsmouth where Ohio’s history runs deep in many of the town’s attractions such as the 1810 House and Portsmouth Murals. Be sure to ask our hotel staff to help you plan the best way to get to Shawnee State Park that is both scenic and memorable.

What would a vacation be without a good book to read and relax with? The Portsmouth Library in Ohio carries all the latest novels and the popular classics that you grew up with. Located only minutes away from the River Inn Hotel, this is one place that you’ll be sure to visit over and over again during your trip.

The library’s vision is to offer all people a welcoming, accessible, and attractive gathering place conducive to learning, research, enlightenment, creativity, and enjoyment. It hopes to bring people and neighbors together through a love of learning and reading. In addition to book rentals, the library offers eBooks and free computer classes. There are also a number of social events unique to the library. Once a month Book Chats are hosted where book lovers can gather and discuss books they have recently read. Yoga and knitting are also offered each month to give you a break from that gripping novel you can’t seem to put down.

Whether you take the scenic 15 minute walk to the library or the speedy 3 minute drive, there’s something for everyone at this Portsmouth, Ohio institution. Settle into your room at our hotel and before you head out, be sure to ask our friendly staff what they’re reading. You may just come back with a new favorite book!

The 1810 House is a historic farm homestead located in beautiful Portsmouth, Ohio. The House represents the courage of the pioneers who worked hard to clear, settle and cultivate the wild forest land surrounding the Ohio River. The House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the headquarters of the Scioto County Historical Society.

What makes this House especially remarkable is that it was made from materials straight from the land it sits on. Local oak and walnut were used for the doors and clay for the hand-pressed bricks completes the façade of this 19^th century building. Visitors can come in close contact with history and explore every nook and cranny of the House. Children are encouraged to become young pioneers as they dress in old hats and shawls. The House also features the first Franklin stove used in Scioto County and the first vineyard in Ohio. There are all sorts of 19^th and early 20^th century wonders to discover, including furniture, clothing and housewares.

The museum is only a short 6 minute drive from the River Inn Hotel in downtown Portsmouth, Ohio. The 1810 House is open from May to December on Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm-4pm. Let us know if there’s anything we can do to make your trip to the past even more adventurous!

The Elks Country Golf Course was constructed in 1924 by world renowned golf course designer Donald Ross. Considered to be one of the best golf courses in Southern Ohio, Elks features 6,677 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. Spend the day playing competitively with your family or just practice your swing. The River Inn Hotel is a convenient 11 minute drive to the Elks Country Golf Course, which is located by the Portsmouth River.

Discover tranquility as your play surrounded by nature. Truly one of Ross’ most amazing designs, there are 18 hole and 9 hole courses for you to enjoy. In fact, the Elks Country Golf Course has a rating of 70.7 and it has slope rating of 116 on bent grass. Golfers can expect beautifully manicured grounds, rolling terrain and great variety in the difficulty of all the holes. The Elks also features a multi-purpose banquet hall and pro shop. Contact us today to book your golf vacation in beautiful Portsmouth, Ohio.

One of the most remarkable natural wonders in the world is The Great Serpent Mound in Portsmouth, Ontario. Constructed around 1070 C.E. by prehistoric Indians, this official National Historic Landmark is actually a large effigy mound. The Serpent Mound is located in Peebles, Ohio in the Serpent Mound State Memorial Park. The park and Serpent Mound Museum are both less than an hour’s drive from our Southern Ohio hotel.

The serpent is approximately 1,370 feet long and varies in height from 1 to 3 feet high. The slithery mound winds around the land just like a real snake would for more than 800 feet and ends in a triple coiled tail. The head of the serpent has an open mouth extending around an oval feature that has been speculated to be some kind of egg effigy. No one knows for sure who built the mound, but three indigenous cultures have been cited as the possible architects.

Effigy mounds are raised piles of earth usually in the shape of an animal or symbol and used for religious or burial purposes. While there are several burial mounds around the Serpent, no human remains have been found within the mound site. No one knows for sure what the Serpent Mound was actually used for, but some believe it is a tribute to the some kind of snake god.

Be sure to check the Ohio Historical Society website for the park’s hours of operation. Visit this amazing ancient structure and still enjoy all the conveniences of a modern town by booking your stay with us today!

You may recall our list of Top 5 Portsmouth, Ohio Restaurants from last year. Since then, we’ve found a new local favorite that serves the best Italian food in town!

Melini Cucina is a family friendly Italian restaurant in the heart of Portsmouth. A small and intimate place, the line ups for Melini can go out the door on a busy night! The menu is filled with authentic Italian dishes ranging from creamy Carbonara to scrumptious Chicken Parmesan. Many of our River Inn Hotel staff recommend the Shrimp Alfredo, which is made with succulent shrimp and tasty tomato sauce with a hint of cream added for extra goodness.

Melini is also a fantastic place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or even just a romantic getaway. Their pizza and calzones are also crowd favorites, and who doesn’t love free breadsticks with marina dipping sauce? Drop off your things at our hotel and let us point you in the direction of gastronomic heaven.

As you visit our beautiful river town of Portsmouth, be sure to visit the always exhilarating Southern Ohio Museum. The River Inn Hotel is the perfect place to stay if you wish to visit the museum as we’re a scenic 5 minute walk away. If you’re traveling to Portstmouth any time soon, we highly recommend visiting the museum’s latest exhibit, The Matrix Series.

This exhibit is comprised of amazing glass sculptures created by Cleveland glass master, Brent Kee Young. In this series, Young transforms simple Pyrex glass rods into wondrous and complex webs of architectural lace and ice. You’ll be mesmerized by the intricate detail of each delicate sculpture. This exhibit runs until April 1, 2011.

The Southern Ohio Museum was first opened in 1979 and has since served as a hub for all kinds of cultural opportunities. Some of its fantastic collections include the Anna Louise Stanton Doll Collection and the Carter Clarence Collection of American Scene Paintings. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and entrance is a voluntary donation of $2. Give us a call to book your stay and find out what other great attractions are a must-see when visiting Portsmouth, Ohio.

If you’re visiting Portsmouth, Ohio in April, you won’t want to miss the world class pianist, Mariangela Vacatello. Born in Naples, Italy, Mariangela has been playing the piano since the young age of four. She has studied music in both Italy and London, and over the years she has won countless prestigious awards.

She has toured all over the world as a solo pianist and as part of grand orchestras. Recently, Mariangela was a finalist in the 2009 Van Cliburn Competition. An exceptionally gifted pianist, she has been praised for her “steely control, fastidious phrasing and a fine, pearly tone, and total mastery.”

Portsmouth, Ohio will be one of her stops on her first United States tour. She will be performing on Tuesday, April 7, 2011 at the Verne Riffe Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets can be purchased through the lobby ticket office. Our hotel is only a short three minute walk to the venue, so make it a night on the town and book a stay with us today!

For the best entertainment in Portsmouth, Ohio, you need to watch show at the Verne Riffe Centre for the Artshttp://www.ohiorivertourism.org/vrcfta.html (VRCA). Located within the beautiful Shawnee State University campus, VRCA is also the home of the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association. The River Inn Hotel is only a scenic three minute walk to the university and is the perfect place to rest after a great show.

This arts complex is both a performance venue and an educational space for the university’s Bachelor of Fine Arts programs and performing arts classes. Completed in November 1995, the center is 102,000 sq. ft in size and cost approximately $16.5 million to build. Extensive studio and rehearsal spaces were constructed for the university students’ use.

The center is where the touring Broadway shows takes place as well as the top names in jazz, dramatic arts, big band, dance, and pop music. The Main Theatre sits 1139 people. Shows coming to Portsmouth soon include Mariangela Vacatello, Pianist (April 7); the Russian National Ballet Theater (April 12); and Monty Python’s Spamalot (April 26).

Tickets are available through the lobby ticket office. If you’re visiting Portsmouth, feel free to give our River Inn staff a call to book your stay and we’ll be happy to help you secure tickets to an upcoming show as well!

For couples or groups travelling to Portsmouth, we highly recommend a visit to the Portsmouth Brewery. Established in 1843, this standing piece of history was the city’s first known commercial brewery. Formerly known as the Portsmouth Brewing and Ice Company, the brewery has survived years of intense local competition and the dreaded Prohibition years.

During the 19^th Century, a number of German breweries opened in the area and drove away business from this English-style brewery. In 1889, Julius Esselbom, a German brewer, purchased the company, expanded it and in the late 1890’s had an entirely new brewhouse built. Around this time it became common for breweries to invest in their own ice-making facilities as very cold temperatures were required to make beer. So, in 1892, the brewery merged with a local ice company.

The severe alcohol laws during Prohibition put a heavy damper on business and eventually the building and its possessions were sold at auction in 1930. New owners took over years later and a micro-brewery was added in 1990, followed by the Brew Pub, a great restaurant serving lunch from 11:00am to 2:00pm, and dinner every night until 10:00pm.

Since then, the brewery has grown to be a fantastic attraction for visitors looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon.  Group tours are available every day except Tuesdays, when the brewery is closed.  Be sure to call ahead and ask about group deals: 740-354-6106.

We recommend staying at the River Inn Hotel if you plan to have a drink or two (how can you resist?) of their fantastic beers. We’re only a 10 minute scenic walk away from the brewery!

Photo Credit: Groundspeak