Melbourne is unlike most cities in Australia. It is not only a great city full of modern architecture, but tons of fun activities for all ages as well. You’ll never run short of fun things to do during your visit. The city features some great restaurants, some of the best bookshops in the world and a world class entertainment district. Before you visit this gem of a city, here is a list of four fun things to do while you’re in town that might not be listed on the tourist trail, become a local not a visitor.
1) Visit the Melbourne Zoo
The Melbourne Zoo is full of interesting sights and sounds. Your first stop should be either the butterfly or aviary room. You will be dazzled by the beautiful array of colors and whisked away by the sound of fluttering wings. Another must-see is the Trail of Elephants. Here, you get to watch the zoo’s largest residents go about their daily business.
However, the zoo’s best event is held during summer. Known as the Zoo Twilights, this series of concerts is usually held in the evening and features some of the best local and international acts. It is so popular that you must show up early to get a ticket.
2) Attend a Magic Show
Melbourne hosts magic shows of all shades and colors. Next time you’re in town, you could always check out Melbourne’s Impossible Occurrence which is an exclusive magic show with a burlesque feel. Or if you want to try something out of the ordinary, you could always go and see magician/professional con artist Nicholas Johnson expose some of the tricks of the trade.
3) Visit a Bookshop
If you are a bookworm, you will be pleased to learn that the city has many award winning bookshops. The most famous bookshop is Readings, a recent winner of the London Book Fair’s International Excellence Award. It is known for stocking a wide range of books and for its personalized customer service.
Melbourne has a strong reading community and is supported by local authors. Readings is also one of the few bookshops in Melbourne that can boast of having a crowd after 9 p.m. on a Saturday night.
4) Visit a Restaurant
Melbourne has plenty of places for the occasional foodie. If pizza is your thing, you’ll want to check out 400 Gradi, which won the 2014 World Pizza Championships held in Parma, Italy. And for the best in Chinese food, visit HuTong – a legendary dumpling house. Dexter, Rockwell and Sons and Belle’s Hot Chicken feature authentic American cuisine with a regional twist. Sons and Belle’s has some of the best chicken and waffles this side of the equator and also features a variety of fried fish dishes for pescatarians.
Conclusion
Melbourne is full of great activities for the whole family. Next time you’re in town, make sure to at least drop by one or two of the destinations above. There is always something new to discover when you’re in the city, so don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path if you want to live the full Melbourne experience.