Johannesburg, South Africa — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Johannesburg
Johannesburg attractions range from both cultural and historic exhibitions to fun family outings and interesting displays of local innovation and productivity. With good weather throughout most of the year, sightseeing in Johannesburg is always a rewarding adventure. The first stop on any list of Johannesburg attractions should be the Apartheid Museum, which showcases South Africa's history of black oppression and illustrates how far the nation has come in its move towards democracy. Visit the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which features the Sterkfontein Caves where the ancient fossil of Mrs. Ples was found in 1947. On a lighter note, a fantastic Johannesburg attraction is Gold Reef City, a 'gold-rush' fashioned theme park full of exciting thrill rides. While sightseeing in Johannesburg visitors can tour the SAB World of Beer, or take a scenic hike through the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens. Newtown Cultural Precinct's Market Theater and Museum Africa are also Johannesburg attractions worth seeing.
Shopping in Johannesburg
As the financial hub of Africa and home to its highest proportion of wealthy individuals, it is no surprise that Johannesburg is a true 'shopper's paradise'. From designer boutiques and world-class specialist shops in the prestigious Sandton City to curios and bargain buys at local markets, Johannesburg has something for just about every kind of shopper. The northern suburbs are the place to start a day of shopping in this bustling city, and Mandela Square provides a wonderful location at Sandton City for shoppers to take a load off and eat at one of the many restaurants surrounding this square. In Johannesburg, the Bruma Flea Market specializes in African souvenirs and crafts such as wooden sculptures, paintings, beaded masks and jewelry, and is highly recommended to those looking for something authentically African. The Rosebank Rooftop Market ,which is held on Sundays and public holidays on the roof of the Rosebank Mall, is an absolute must and just about anything can be scooped up here. There are also wonderful food stalls where shoppers can rest their legs and brace themselves for round two. Other popular shopping malls include Eastgate Mall, Northgate and Fourways Mall. Shopping hours in Johannesburg are generally from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. Smaller stores usually close on Sunday afternoons. VAT is 14% and is levied on all goods sold, excluding flea market purchases, and visitors can reclaim this when departing at airports or land borders, provided they produce all the necessary receipts.
Johannesburg Nightlife
Africa's biggest and richest city has got the nightlife to match, from world-class theater and live music to mega-hip lounge bars and epic nightclubs. Jazz fans should amble their way to legendary Kippies in Newtown, and to the nearby Bassline. The Civic Theater hosts major live productions, while plenty of smaller venues have minor plays, cabaret shows and reviews. Nightclubs tend to open around 11pm and will charge an entrance fee. They stay open all night and drinks are expensive. Many top clubs are positioned in the lively city center of Johannesburg, or funky areas such as Orange Grove and Melville. The affluent suburbs of Sandton, Hyde Park and Melrose Arch are home to the more plush and modern clubs frequented by an unlikely collection of models, stock brokers, bikers and trust fund kids. If taking your chances on the dangerous roads is not enough for you, head for the many casinos on the outskirts of the city. Montecasino, near Fourways, and Caesars Palace, near the OR Tambo Airport, are the best. Apart from the various money-relieving gaming tables and slot machines, there are live shows aplenty. For local listings see www.jhblive.co.za, the Friday editions of the Mail & Guardian and The Star, or the Johannesburg edition of Timeout.
Attractions for Kids
Johannesburg does not have a reputation as a family-friendly destination but in reality there's no end to entertainment and attractions for kids in this bustling and busy city! A family holiday wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Johannesburg Zoo or the ever-enticing Gold Reef City. Other great Johannesburg attractions for kids include art cafés, fairy gardens, ice skating rinks and adventure centers.
