Christchurch? What to do?

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robynz

Depends what you're interested in/want to spend. Here's the things I'd be interested in:

The gondola is good, awesome views of the city & you can learn a bit about the citys history while there.

Check out Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwihouse (in the square) if you like nature: Lots of native animals, including tuatara, geckos and kiwi.

Have a walk around the central city. There's lots of shops and markets. The Art Centre has a lot of interesting craft shops (not cheap though)

Canterbury museum is pretty cool, has all sorts of information about the city & it's history and environment.

A lot of people recommend the Antarctic centre. I wouldn't. It's really expensive for what it is. It's not actually very exciting. Basically an overpriced museum. It does have penguins, but you'd be far better off seeing them in the wild.

Check out Banks Peninsula and the Port Hills, they're Christchurchs playground. Theres heaps of physical activities you can do there - walks, cycling, boating, paragliding, fishing, swimming. Lots of history there too.

Orana Park/Willowbank. They're both zoos, for if you like animals. I prefer Orana personally. You can spend an entire day there if you want. Has native and exotic animals.

Cindy

First thing you'll want to do is go to the city centre, Cathedral Square. The visitor center is there and they have loads of information (maps, listings, activities). You can find out about Hot Air Ballon rides and Day trips. From there most of the city attractions, shopping, restaurants are within walking distance. There isn't much to see within christchurch itself, I'd say you could probably look at everything within 2 days (relaxed time). I'd recommend going on a day trip to Akaroa, it's an hour's car ride east from christchurch. There's a bus that departs from the visitor centre (inexpensive). It's amazing there, very scenic and beautiful (horseback riding). If you can, I'd recommend staying there for 2 days.

Recommendations:
- Death By Chocolate (209 cambridge terrace).
If you love desserts and you love chocolate, this is a really great
dessert place. everything on the menu is literally to die for!
- Nightlife: go bar/club hopping on the strip. (Coyote-great music)
- Shopping: If you're looking to buy Jade or Bone necklaces or any
other good souvenirs/crafts, local craftsmen set up stands at the
cathedral square. But i highly recommend goin to the Arts Centre
on the weekends, they have lots of retail stands set up like an
outdoor market with loads of things to buy at affordable prices.

AVOID:
Christchurch Casino: not even worth walking by, complete waste of time.

ascalila

hot air ballooning
orana park
the antarctic centre
go up to the top of the cathedral
go to the fudge factory and have a tour (they give out lots of samples)
the museum is alright too

Douglass B

Beach, if it warm enough

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