The festive season is around the corner and many Gautengers have already made their way down to the coast with their families, but many are also staying behind. This doesn’t have to be boring as I have pointed out in my article about Pretoria last week. There really are lots of things to do in Gauteng. To prove my point more I’m featuring 3 fun things to do in Johannesburg in this article.
Visit Gold Reef City: This theme park has been around for more than 20 years and has been expanded a lot over the years. Gold Reef City is built on the site of an old gold mine. It’s only 8 km South of the Joburg CBD. The park is themed around the gold rush on the Witwatersrand in the late 1880’s.
Gold Reef City features some world class pleasure rides like the Anaconda (an inverted roller coaster with cork screw), the Golden Loop (another roller coaster which reaches 85 km/h in just 3 seconds), the Tower of Terror (another ride featuring a drop of 47 metres), Raging River Rapids and others.
Gold Reef City Theme Park is open every day from the 10th of December 2012 to 6th of January 2013 from 09:30 AM to 6 PM. The theme park will only be closed on Christmas Day. Entrance costs R160 per person. Discounted rates are available for families and entrance for kids less than 1.3 m tall costs R100.
To give you an idea of the experience on the Anaconda, check out this video below:
There’s more to Gold Reef City though. Visitors can catch a show at the Lyric Theatre or Globe Theatre, enjoy a meal at one of many restaurants and fast food outlets, try their luck at the Gold Reef City Casino or book a room in one of the two hotels that Gold Reef City has to offer. Visit the Gold Reef City website for more details. Visiting Gold Reef City definitely sounds like one of the fun things to do in Johannesburg.
Visit the Neighbourgoods Market: This market (which has its origins in Cape Town) was launched in 2011 in the vibrant neighbourhood of Braamfontein. The organizers chose a venue in the heart of the inner city. The Neighbourgoods Market takes place over two floors at 73 Juta Street. This landmark building features a large scale concrete facade by Edoardo Villa and an extensive rooftop area with views over the city.
This market takes places every Saturday, come rain or shine, unless they announce differently on the Neighbourgoods Market Facebook page. The market is open from 9 AM to 3 PM. For more information, visit the Neighbourgoods Market website.
According to JHB Live, visitors can expect a buzzing environment with stands, aromas and people intermingling and filling the underground first floor to the brim. You can find anything from flowers, pesto, crepes, waffles, curries, stir-fries, beer and wine to designer cupcakes fit for a royal occasions and much much more. This definitely sounds like one of the fun things to do in Johannesburg.
Check out the video below to give you an idea about this popular market.
Visit Market On Main: This market happens every Sunday at Arts on Main from 10 AM to 3 PM and the first Thursday night of the month (besides January and April) from 7 PM to 11 PM. Market On Main is a market made for the people of Johannesburg by the people of Johannesburg. Market On Main’s goal is to encourage an inner city lifestyle, learn lots about sustainable living and provide a relaxed and creative space for our friends to spend leisure time.
Market on Main features stalls run by Gauteng based food and design fanatics. Visitors can have a picnics under the olive trees while enjoying a wide variety of food. You’ll find typical South African dishes like bunny chows and boerewors rolls, Ethopian, Indian and other foods that will tantalize your taste buds. Market on Main will be open on the 16th of December (this Sunday) for the last time in 2012. The market re-opens on the 13th of January 2013. Speak to any Joburger and they’ll tell you that is one of the most fun things to do in Johannesburg.
Which one of these things do you consider the most fun to do in Joburg? Leave a comment and let us know, we’d like to hear from you! Feedback is appreciated and welcome here.
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