Whether you are Jewish or not, you will find something truly compelling and thought-provoking when you pay a visit to Portsmouth's Jewish Museum and Cultural Center. The Chevra T'helim Synagogue now serves as the museum and center and offers visitors a chance to see a stunning example of European Jewish Orthodoxy. Various exhibits and presentations offer the opportunity for visitors to learn about the tradition of the faith as well as key historical events that have both shaped it and challenged it.
When you want to get the family off of the sofa and out into the great outdoors but don't have the time to take an out of town trip, bring everyone out to Mound Park. This lushly inviting attraction is located in the heart of Portsmouth, but you'll feel like you've escaped to an enticing outdoor retreat miles away from it all. The park sprawls out over 8.8 acres and features a walking path, picnic tables, and wide open spaces that are perfect for a game of catch or just lounging in the sun.
Thoughts and feelings always need to be expressed. Artists who express their unique thoughts and feelings usually convey them through a variety of media, but the original spirit is always the same–to communicate their story to as many people as possible. That type of expression is at the heart of all of the incredible exhibits and displays that you will discover at the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center. Through the many traveling exhibits and special programs, visitors can uncover the stories behind some of the world's most fascinating cultures as told through paintings, sculptures, pottery and more.
The Lake Smith Reservoir in nearby Norfolk offers outdoor lovers an excellent chance to make a big splash! Lake Smith is an impressively large body of water that takes up nearly 193 acres, but offers safe aquatic fun as it is only five feet deep all the way around. In addition to fishing and sunbathing, anglers can enjoy catching some highly desirable largemouth bass.