As I’m still very much a child at heart, my favourite part of Time Out is the children’s section at the back. They have so many beautifully illustrated children’s books that make me wish I had friends with kids to buy them all for. The staff are really nice AND there’s a cat - what’s not to love?

Even if another library is closer to where you live, take the time to visit the Auckland Central library. Browse the masses of books, ride the escalator up and down, get a coffee, play with the microfiche machine, maybe even do some reading. It’s a great place to spend some quiet time, to people watch, and to learn a thing or two about anything you want.

What do you get when you combine tea and books? Paradise, obviously. The staff are very patient and are happy for you to smell samples of each of their many, many teas before choosing, and don’t seem to mind if you sit sipping tea and chatting for aaages. There are delicious treats sitting in the cabinet just waiting to be an afternoon snack and you can browse their selection of novels as you sip your tea. It's the best!

Arcadia is full of gorgeous books that all shout, "Buy me! Buy me!" when you walk through the door. They have an extensive range of recipe and cookbooks that are filled with beautiful photographs and fantastic ideas. It’s hard to leave without getting something to take home with you.

Jason Books is full of great second-hand books, all in excellent condition. The lovely staff are happy to help you find what you’re after, and the store is so well maintained, it’s almost like you’re browsing new books. Love it!

exciting and fun place to play mini golf

This palce is great - the kids can spend hours zooming about looking at everything. It is free entry for Aucklanders - a huge bonus for your budget! In the holidays they organise activities for the kids

I love this museum. It has somethign for all the family

I have to say this is one of the very best attractions I have visited as a family. My kids love coming here often. Best invesment I have made for my kids.

I loved this place. It was super easy to get to after work. It also has great food and drink plus a fantastic atmosphere.

If you are looking to start Taikwondo, this will be the place to go. Great master, great class flexibility and private tutoring. Can really help you become competitive in the sport, and will really complement other forms of martial arts you are taking. Highly recommended. Genuine Korean master.

Good place to pick up your fitness. Sparing available and good classes flexibility. They also offer MMA and advanced sparring. Worth checking out.

Great for your all round MMA and kickboxing. Experienced fighters usually come here. Offer you great support on the competitive level.

If you're looking to start BJJ and you're hooked on UFC, this is the place for you.

Check these guys out. If Karate kid was your favorite movie as a child, and you want to try the real thing. These guys will definitely get you there.

Who doesn’t love to bust a move to good music? City Dance on Queen Street offers all kinds of different recreational dance classes including hip hop, salsa and belly dancing. The instructors are friendly and helpful and there are classes to suit all levels, from beginner to advanced. The classes are all about having fun so you don’t need to worry about embarrassing yourself, and you can fit them in around your schedule. it’s a great way to get exercise without feeling like your exercising!

I love boxing as a way to get all my stress out after a long day. City Boxing offers awesome and really intense boxing workouts in a convenient central location (Quay Street). The classes aren’t too big so you get lots of individual attention from the instructors, who all really know their stuff. Even if you’ve never boxed before, the instructors will take good care of you and have you feeling like a pro in no time - it’s a very welcoming environment. The workouts are no joke - you’ll leave feeling exhausted (in a good way!)

I absolutely love the Les Mills classes. I almost never do my own workouts anymore, because I get bored so easily and find it hard to motivate myself to go to the gym and run on a treadmill for an hour staring at the wall. The instructors at Les Mills are all super fit and energetic and it’s hard not to get pumped up in the classes. There’s great music, lots of people and so many different classes to choose from! My personal favourites are Body Attack and Body Pump, but they’re honestly all great.

Paddleboarding is the most amazing ab workout! it may not look like much, but it’s a lot harder than it looks - trust me! it’s a really fun way to spend a gorgeous summer’s day and get toned and tanned at the same time. Just prepare yourself for a sore core the next day!

During the summer in Auckland, I love getting out on the water as much as possible. Kayaking is a surprisingly vigorous workout and you get to enjoy the sun, the ocean and great company at the same time. You won’t even realize what a good workout you’ve gotten until you can’t lift your arms the next day! Ferg’s Kayaks do kayak rentals and lessons, and you can also sign up for excursions like the Rangitoto Adventure, which involves a kayak trip to Rangitoto followed by a hike and picnic lunch.

Need a break from the throngs of people, traffic and noise? Head to the first floor of the Library to the kids section. Toys, books, small tables to keep them entertained all day. Drop down to Esquires cafe on the ground floor for a fluffy and sandwich.

If you live on the shore or feel like a drive, head to Paint the Earth in Albany. You can join in the fun too. Select a mug plate or something from their extensive range of ceramics to paint- Go crazy and let the inner Picasso come out. 5 days later your creation arrives at your door. Kilned and ready to gift or use.

Parnell Baby Boutique is new on the Auckland baby and kid scene. Opening their doors in July 2013 they have something for your little ones from all ages. 0 to big kid. Toys, clothes, collectables, gifts, small furniture and more.

Milk & cookies. Every kids favourite. Just up from Civic Theatre. All kinds of delicious cookies to wash down with a milk shake or hot chocolate.

A wonderland of endless things to do. 10 pin bowling, video games, dinosaurs, movies, junk food and tonnes more. There's so much going on here and always changing. Go on line and check what's on.

Great time to upskill for the coming winter season.

Let the talented team look after your kids these holidays in Hamilton, North Shore, Auckland and Tauranga

So much to do in and beautiful setting, a holiday programme or afterschool care activity for your child.

Keep your children thinking, active and challenged with the Discovery Labs computer design programmes.

Learn to swim programmes with Northern arena for intensive training, and term lessons. Make sure your children can swim.

You don’t have to train like an athlete to stay fit this summer. You might just like to try slightly different rhythms FRIDAY 6 pm FUSION STYLE DANCE CLASSES* (10 Newton St) Feel energized and have fun, all dance levels welcome! Don’t forget to bring your drink bottle and a towel

Ready to Get Sweaty | "cause a little sweat never hurt anyone" Wednesday 7 pm @ Capoeira Academy ( 29 Randolph St) This is a group for anyone interested in dancing and having fun. Suitable for all fitness levels and ages. Join us for a great work-out! In 1 hour you will work every muscle in your body.

Sunday 10.30 am FREE ballet & contemporary classes

You can't go past a visit to the museum if your looking for something to do for a day. There's something for the littlies as well as something for the big kids. Always love looking at the street from the past.

I could happily spend most of the day standing outside the Art gallery simply looking at the beautiful architecture, but when I finally do pull myself inside there is a large range and variety sure to keep everyone happy. The 'kids' zone will eat up more than a few minutes of your time, kids or no kids.

Best way to spend an evening! A must during Matariki as well.

Free movies, blankets, good food, fun times!

Best place to go for a peaceful walk and have a chat with the sheep.

I love coming here to study for exams because it is about half way between my house and university which means I don’t have to travel as far but I am still being productive and not staying home where I can never manage to study with all the distractions. The librarians are very lovely and helpful which is a nice surprise as I always imagine them to be how they are in movies and tv shows and really old and witch-like. The library itself has a great lay out, definitely better than my university’s one. It is very open, not dark like most others. I always find it really easy to study in here because it has a really nice ambience and obviously there are plentiful books to cater to everyone’s interests and expand your horizons.

This is a great venue! Being on the shore and all, you wouldn’t really expect a nice AND big setting on the shore of all places. I have been here many a time in my youth for events such as Rockquest, various High School awards ceremonies and also my sisters graduation ceremony. They were all quite different events but the Bruce Mason is very practical and malleable to whatever it is that is being held there. The events that are held here vary from concerts of any music genre to plays, ceremonies, comedy shows, the list goes on. The Bruce Mason website will keep you up to date with all of the upcoming events that are guaranteed to appeal to all types.

Parnell in itself is a lovely suburb, but if you really want to make the most of it then visit the Rose Gardens. I came here on Valentine’s Day which was really cute and there were heaps of other couples around enjoying the pleasant sights and aromas that is the Rose Gardens. Tip: the roses are in full bloom between October and April to get the maximum potential of the flowers if you wish to visit! These gardens are open at all times to the public and the ‘white garden’ is available for venues such as weddings.

I have always been fascinated with the universe since a young age (I used to carry a little handbook of constellations around with me as a child) so when I finally got to go to the Stardome it was an exceptionally exciting trip for me. I saw the show "The Autumn Night Sky" where you sat in an amazing 360 degree theatre that replicates the sky outside as a presenter discusses what we can see from our spot in the world for the particular month of your visit. After this, everyone goes outside into the courtyard for a viewing of the planets, and I got to see Jupiter through a huge telescope. It was an amazing experience and afterwards I felt rather moved by it all because as you are learning about the infinity of the universe it gives you tingles and puts things into perspective knowing how limitless it all is. In the wise words of Calvin and Hobbes, ""If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently. "

The Wine Box is nestled in the quaint Albany Village which in turn sets the tone for the actual restaurant. This restaurant is very unique in the way that it serves Australian dishes and this is why I chose to put it on this list. Expand your mind by sampling the Australian dishes, and by this I mean kangaroo, ostrich and other various exotic dishes. I have never been game enough to try these dishes but I do think it is a great idea to think outside the box and make your restaurant memorable and unique. This restaurant is a lovely place to go with a loved one you are trying to impress. It is very romantic and cute and the food is just delicious. Just hope your date is not put off by smoked ostrich.

New rides, full day out, loads of FUN

"Water slides, pools, spa , bbq areas, icecream & coffee. Another FUN full day out for the whole famz"

Colourful, challenging, cool

The mini-size alley just perfect for 5-yr-olds and smaller.. with small-sized bowling balls too!

Movies & spacies ;)

I love that we have place to see farm animals. The view and gardens are great.

I love the exhibitions and displays. Also great gardens. I love walking my dog in the domain around the museum.

I like to look at the works of art and then enjoy a coffee in the cafe.

I love my local library in Onehunga but like to visit the central library to check out promotions and exhibits.

This is a great place for a picnic and full day looking at different animals .

Nothing gets you pumped up more than a group fitness class at les mills! I’m addicted to this place. Love the cx worx classes in particular, the best ab workout in 30 min

Perfect day for the festivities!!! Lots to eat see and do and plenty of tunes.

This place is magic and even better when there are no clouds in the sky!

This is a gem of a gym in the CBD - has everything you need including weights, cardio equipment and a 25m lap pool with 24 hour access - what more could you want. Really knowledgeable staff who know their stuff!

Great little Pilates studio in Onehunga. Amazing instructor.