Te Papa may be one of the most trafficked tourist attractions in Wellington, but it's certainly for locals, too. Whether you come in for a special exhibit like Game Masters or Warhol: Immortal (on now!) or to test your earthquake preparedness skills with a walk through the Earthquake House, you'll be sure to learn something new-- and have fun doing it. Te Papa is also especially helpful for those new to New Zealand like myself. See a bird on the waterfront and want to know what to call it? You'll find its taxidermy counterpart on the first floor. Come in on an afternoon, or stay all evening on Thursdays when the museum is open until 9 pm.

A revolving door of impressive exhibits by international and well-known local artists, this free gallery in Civic Square is best enjoyed with regular visits. Whether stopping in on a rainy afternoon or making a point to see Len Lye's kinetic sculptures before they vanished, Wellington's City Gallery provides thought-provoking entertainment time and time again. Multiple exhibit spaces span two floors, and the gallery plays an accommodating host for writers and other speakers with a generous but cosy amphitheater. Just remember to recharge with a flat white and a donut from the Nikau Cafe located on the ground floor of the gallery before you leave.

Take a few hours out of your Saturday afternoon to visit The Dowse. Entry is free, and with exhibitions on in several gallery spaces, The Dowse is constantly changing. Check out the retrospective on Kobi Bosshard's jewelry, then pop over to Pic 'n' Mix, curated by kids-- both are on all winter. The Dowse boasts one of the best gallery shops I've seen, and a very sweet cafe attached-- their home brewed Shooting Star lemonade is a must-try. Stay for the weekend talks with the artists, or take a quick drive over to Petone for some serious op shopping. 

Whether researching from the permanent collection or visiting one of the temporary exhibits, come to the National Library to learn. Employing only specialist librarians who are both knowledgeable and accessible, this library is a gem. Come in for the thought-provoking "Tirohia Mai / Look At Us Now", on through November, or pop upstairs to "Logs to Blogs" (but be quick– these diaries from the Turnbull Library are only on view for one more week.)

One of the city’s truest museums, City & Sea celebrates Wellington’s maritime history from the historic Bond Store on the waterfront. Check out Plimmer’s Ark or watch a documentary of the Wahine Disaster. Voted one of the world’s top fifty museums this year by Britain’s The Times.

Emporium Vintage is a hidden gem for scoring great kicks in Wellington, with an array of vintage boots for both women and men in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles. While Emporium may be known for its stateside finds and epic dress collection, their Americana vibe extends to an entire wall of leather boots. Don't usually buy vintage footwear? Rest assured that Emporium won't leave you high and dry if your perfectly broken in shoes give out post-purchase. They'll work with a cobbler around the corner to make sure your shoes are back to their best in no time.

One of the most fun shops on Cuba St., a trip to Iko Iko makes me feel like a kid again. From sparkly fairy tumblers to swizzle straws, toys and magnets to holographic cards, Iko Iko has it all. Whether you’re shopping for baby or just your own inner child, this place will do you right. Iko Iko isn’t all about gifts for kids, though– novelty books and tea towels round out the souvenir side of the shop, while chic leather goods and jewelry satisfy the fashionista on your nice list.

The General Store is anything but general, packed with things you might never have even known you needed-- until now. The General Store, which opened its doors just before Christmas, is a beautiful little treasure trove of found objects, all sourced here in NZ and restored and repurposed for your purchasing delight. I dare you to walk in on a rainy day and not get caught up by the colorful typewriters in various shapes and sizes, loads of natural wood, and Nico's dulcet strains playing on the stereo, just as I did. Shelves made from library pigeon holes and a table fitted out from industrial plan drawers will call to you, but if your tiny flat won't fit a new cabinet, leave with a little parcel of hand rolled beeswax candles instead.

Superette, originally based in Auckland with a great store open here in Wellington, is a sartorialist's dream. The shop is impeccably tailored, with pops of bright colors amongst the more traditionally dark Wellingtonian palette. Go-to brands like Mad Love and I Love Ugly find a home here alongside Ksubi frames and high top Vans, while a floor-to-ceiling mirror at the back allows for ample twirling space to admire your new finds. With a friendly and helpful staff who seem to genuinely enjoy what they do and an incredible selection of clothes and accessories for both women and men, I find it completely impossible to leave this store empty handed.

An institution in Wellington, Hunters and Collectors on Cuba is a veritable treasure trove of vintage and costume pieces. Owner Chrissy O travels as far as the exotic USA to stock the shop. Go for the sequins, or even just to eyeball their delightfully kooky displays.

Satay Kingdom delivers exactly what it promises: yummy food without dipping into your rent money. Go for the Roti Chanai-- for $6.50 you'll get a bowl filled with veggies and enough broth to dip your tall stack of roti to your heart's content. The location on Cuba St.'s Left Bank makes Satay Kingdom a great stop to refuel during a day of op shopping or before catching a show at Mighty Mighty.

Come in early each Sunday for an ever-changing showcase of food and drinks from local producers. From wine tastings to cooking classes, demos from the professionals to teens selling lollies, City Market has a lot to offer. Come for the incredible House of Dumplings. Yum!

Dragons Chinese, located just off Courtenay Place, is a good destination for a large weekend dinner party. With BYO, ample space, and tables fitted out with revolving lazy susan-style daises for sharing plates, the atmosphere here is lively. Prices are steep (a $16 vege egg noodle dish is one of the more affordable options) and vegetarians may need to hunt through pages of meat to find what they're after, but portions are enormous. Plus, MANY portable heaters scattered throughout the restaurant ensure you'll stay warm and cosy on any of Wellington's famously fierce winter nights.

An extremely popular Malaysian restaurant on Cuba St., everything on the menu is vegan and accommodating choosy eaters is a cinch. Their abundance of meat substitutes (including bbq gluten and mock duck) are both yummy and endlessly entertaining, and will even keep the carnivores in your group satisfied. Try the mee goreng or laksa. With a good selection of dishes starting at $12.50, you’ll fill your belly and bring home leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.

Well-plated South Indian Malaysian cuisine in a cosy atmosphere, Roti Chenai is one of the best places to bring your mates for dinner in Wellington. With vegetarian and carnivorous options, everyone in the group will leave feeling warm and full. Try the vegetable korma (tomato-based, not creamy like most other places in New Zealand!) when you’re in the mood for Indian, or the vegetable murtabak with dhall curry if you’re craving Malaysian.

Enigma is my go-to spot when I need a bit of a break on my walk home from Thorndon. Steer clear of their massive salads and sandwiches in favor of a heaping bowl of wedges, affordable at $6 and perfect for sharing. While I’m not usually a fan, the iced mocha at Enigma is a bit addictive– watch out.

Crumpet on Manners St. has atmosphere in spades, complete with jazzy music and faded prints of dreamy ladies on the walls. Located right next to the Opera House, walking into Crumpet feels like taking a step back in time. Coffees are well executed while the hot chocolate is tall and lovely. The crumpets themselves come in a variety of tastes, sweet and savory, and all unique-- the pear and ricotta is worth a try. Come in for a cozy place to read (though the lighting can be a bit dim) or slide in at the bar for a chat with one of the Boon brothers themselves.

One of the first cafes I ever visited in Wellington, Fidels remains a favorite. Keep it simple with nachos or fries to share, or suck down a massive Snickers thick shake if you dare. While I haven’t taken them up on it yet, I’ve heard only good things about the pizza and beer deal. If the weather is good, grab a seat outside at one of their picnic tables.

A great little spot to grab a coffee or tea, this cafe has all the charm and a lot more elbow room than some of its counterparts on Cuba St. Whether you’re bringing your laptop or a friend, Dixon Street Deli has you covered with plenty of seats and their own wi-fi hotspot. Even if you’re just cruising down Dixon, be sure to check their chalk board out front, inscribed with a new motivational message every day.

Great place to stop in for a bite when you’re roaming through Aro Valley. Try a savory muffin (spinach, feta, and pine nuts… yum!) or the brie and tomato on a french roll from the counter. They make their own Aro Coffee.

(Nearly) every Sunday, my significant other and I venture out of our cozy weekend bed to the Harbourside Market. While I'll admit location was a bit of a factor in making this 'our' vege market (bonus for being catty-corner to New World, making Sunday my official grocery day), Harbourside Market has much more to offer than its central location. More than 10 farms bring their produce to the table(s) each week, and super competitive pricing means the answer to the 'what can we get with our last $20 (or $10, or $5 or $2-- it's been done, folks)' question is always 'heaps'. On sunny days, make time to buy lunch from one of the many carts sprawling down to the waterfront. I haven't seen it there in a while, but the elusive Burrito Magic is tops-- if you catch it, don't let it go without a bean burrito and a colorful Jarritos.

Come in early each Sunday for an ever-changing showcase of food and drinks from local producers. From wine tastings to cooking classes, demos from the professionals to teens selling lollies, City Market has a lot to offer. Come for the incredible House of Dumplings. Yum!

Centrally located near Wellington Harbour (and thus only a 5 minute walk from my home), New World's supermarket in the heart of the city is perfect for my shopping needs. Well stocked and boasting ample 'super saver' discounts, I try to time my weekly trip to match up with the Harbourside Market each Sunday morning. But with late night hours (open 'til midnight every night), you might just find yourself surreptitiously buying a bar of chocolate and a bottle of Coopers sparkling ale on your way home, too.

Where to go when you have to make the perfect guacamole for nacho night in the dead of winter. Other places are selling avocados at five dollars a pop, but at Cuba Fruit you can find perfectly ripened (seriously!) avos at 2 for $3.

The name really says it all. Organic foods (including tasty fruits and veges) and products at reasonable prices. With hot lunches catering to all your dietary needs– gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options abound, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and tasty treats (they sell Nice Blocks! Yum!!)

This place is seriously so fun. Between the vibrant space-themed murals and friendly wait staff, I would probably recommend Planet Spice for a dinner out with the whole gang even if the food was only so-so. But the food is also amazing! While everything is served traditionally, Planet Spice is not your average Indian food restaurant. Staples like the dal makhani are perfectly executed, but others like palak paneer are served with an innovative twist. As their motto says, Planet Spice is truly an 'out of this world' Indian experience.

If you're in a hurry (or take a later lunch in the CBD) stop into the Taste on Willis food court for Tulsi Takeaway. While the flavor here is comparable to its counterpart on Cuba St., the prices are not. Mains normally range from $6.50-8, but stop in after 2 pm for the really super deals-- snag any curry with rice for $5.50, or add naan and a drink for $10 ($9 if you go vege). While the vegetarian selection isn't expansive, the mix vege curry is a solid choice. And if they're all out of your favorite curry, no worries-- there are about a million other on-the-go options in this vast and varied food court.

For an alternative to Tulsi in Petone, try Curry Heaven. The family-friendly restaurant has plenty of vegetarian options. Try the vegetable makhani for a creamy, tomato-y curry filled with kumara, capsicum, and other yummy garden-grown things. If you live nearby, order takeaways and get a 10% discount.

Our go-to Indian restaurant in Wellington, my significant other and I have dined here on more than a couple of date nights. Just off Courtenay Place, the location is unbeatable if you’re catching a flick at The Embassy or Paramount. The dal makhani is very nice, and with so many vegetarian options try the creamy vegetable korma or paneer tikka masala for a change.

The most perfect buffet-style restaurant in Wellington, fill up a small ($9), medium ($11), or large ($14) plate with as much yummy Indian food as you can fit. Grab up to 4 puris free, but add $2 per paneer square. Everything here is vegetarian or vegan, of course. Located downstairs at the back corner of the Old Bank Arcade, Higher Taste is a great spot for a big lunch or low cost dinner. Plus, you can’t beat their taste in music!