A hip establishment for the arty, the creative, and those who just want to have a good boogie. Open late with exciting, up and coming bands. Don’t miss the quiz night.

Gordon Harris is your one-stop shop for art supplies; they've got a huge range that will suit beginners doing craft projects or art students or professional creative projects for work and home. My favourite is the poster board they have for art lessons/courses/life drawing classes etc that's up just on the right when you go in the door. Whenever I have an arty question, the staff are quick to help and they are clued up on what are the right materials to use. Big store too, lots of stock. I'd recommend it, definitely.

Always a chilled vibe and delicious, freshly prepared food - both in the cabinet and to order. Perfect place for a casual brunch with friends, a quick coffee or a late night stop in.

Chill out before your movie and grab a delicious ice-cream - no end of flavours, cool staff in funky hats who like to chat and lots of seating beside the cabinets. Delish!

Great books at great prices. Last time I was in Arty Bee’s I got talking to the very interesting guy on the front desk - we discussed chess, a conversation that got started when I picked up a book about chess on the counter. He was super friendly. The staff here love to read and are keen to help you out. I’m always in this shop with my partner and we’ve picked up all manner of interesting reads at great prices. I also love the foreign languages section upstairs. Check it out!

This is a cosy, super tasty Korean on Dixon. Check out a tempting menu in the window to see their specials, hot plates of all sorts starting at $15-16. Karaoke upstairs and always busy on weekends. Easy to see why.

Great place to mix and mingle and make some new friends. A chilled out vibe, grab a game of pool and a drink with mates. Right next to Electric Avenue if you want to make your night a little longer.

These guys know how to show you a good time. Always excellent shows and a great night out - I’ve seen burlesque here, phenomenal, and I’m seeing Amanda Palmer in September, can’t wait! It’s a fun vibe, there are drinks and food specials including pizza and bar snacks - and they even have a coat check! Great spot.

A hip establishment for the arty, the creative, and those who just want to have a good boogie. Open late with exciting, up and coming bands. Don’t miss the quiz night.

If you’re after excellent tunes and a great night of head-banging, Bodega’s your go-to. I reckon it’s a great place for rock acts. Chilled out, relaxed - and they take care of you with excellent service and staff who look out for you. Fun times to be had at Bodega for sure.

This is a cosy, super tasty Korean on Dixon. Check out a tempting menu in the window to see their specials, hot plates of all sorts starting at $15-16. Karaoke upstairs and always busy on weekends. Easy to see why.

I've been going to Readings for years and years, ever since I was a young teenager hanging out in the food court with mates waiting for our movie to begin! It's a quality entertainment establishment; I've always been satisfied and had a lot of fun checking out the latest movies here.

On Friday night I went to Pizzeria Napoli with my boyfriend (of nearly 2 years) - a treat for both of us and celebrating a kind of second first date. This is the perfect spot if you want to wow a new date with a small, ambient restaurant, flash, homely décor, and fresh, scrumptious Italian food that can't be beaten. My BF got pizza with cherry tomatoes, shrimps and rocket (called a "Gamberoni" - delicious, according to him) and I picked two starters as a main - an salad with rocket, cherry tomatoes, mandarins, artichoke hearts and pine nuts (NOM) and crunchy bruschetta with tomatoes and garlic. Top it off with sparkling water or a Coke like we did and you will delight your tastebuds. The best thing about this place is that it's always busy, but still small and homely enough that you can actually hear what your date is saying. Try it out!

Great place to watch the rugga - you'll be surrounded by sports fanatics and just good old mates out for a beer to watch the game. A really good vibe, a great range of beers and open till the wee hours when the rugby has faded away.

Great place to mix and mingle and make some new friends. A chilled out vibe, grab a game of pool and a drink with mates. Right next to Electric Avenue if you want to make your night a little longer.

Another fantastic Wellington bookstore. It’s a beautifully laid-out shop, with the books lining the walls and just waiting for you to pick them up and take them home. Particularly good is the CD collection here, including Goons shows and classical music. I’ve ordered books here before and they always arrive promptly. Just a great store!

The beautiful and tranquil Zealandia in Karori is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike, with abundant bird-life in a walled island sanctuary keeping the pesky rodents at bay and protecting our native flora and fauna. Spend a few hours or the whole day and check out the birdies flocking from all sides. There's a lake with boat rides, lots of picnic tables, bushwalks, weta hotels, a huge exhibition at the visitor's centre which introduces you to NZ natural history and the history of the park and on-site Rata Café with delish brunches. Very kiddie-friendly too and you'll probably see tuataras if you keep an eye out, which is a real buzz - majestic, ancient ancestors of NZ, and very slow-moving in the wintertime so they don't stray far on a daily basis. My favourite are the cheeky kaka - brown with bright orange under the wings and they like to come down and check you out and feed at the many bird tables. Not to be missed.

Pop in for a game of tennis at this friendly, well-organised club. Their well-maintained website is available at http://www.kilbirnietennis.wellington.net.nz/ for all updates and to get involved. Get fit in Kilbirnie and give it your best game.

So Freyberg has a spa, a sauna and a steamroom for $4.80ea but there are deals if you want a swim too, check out the prices board above the counter as you go in. Excellent spa facilities, always clean and they play some chill out pop music so you can relax to some sounds when you're having a soak! My favourite hotpools in town.

This café is a Wellington institution, best known for its capacity to attract LOTR actors on their off days - and for the fact that it has a road running through the middle of it (the Scorch O Rama guys and gals wear high-vis vests while they ferry your food to you!). Take your guests for a classic Wellington experience and make sure it's a sunny day. Views across the harbour entrance and brunches to spoil you.

Pop in for a game of tennis at this friendly, well-organised club. Their well-maintained website is available at http://www.kilbirnietennis.wellington.net.nz/ for all updates and to get involved. Get fit in Kilbirnie and give it your best game.

My favourite café in Wellington and a killer spot for brunch. There's always a line leading down the stairs because it's so popular on the weekends, but a table is never more than a ten-fifteen wait. Super efficient staff and delicious brunches. Coffee is quick and the food takes a little longer because it's so popular. But just enjoy the views over Lyall Bay out the panorama windows - and on a windy day watch the kite-surfers get pummelled!

All your sporting needs in one big, fat sporting store! They've got everything. I've bought trainers for myself and my partner, from aisles and aisles of the latest styles with expert advice from friendly staff if you ask for it, they're keen to help you out. I've also got assorted sports equipment including balls, bats, netball gear, togs, caps, Adidas gear and Canterbury Clothing Company gear for a German friend who was after something uniquely Kiwi as a gift. A great, well-stocked store. Get your sport on!

So Freyberg has a spa, a sauna and a steamroom for $4.80ea but there are deals if you want a swim too, check out the prices board above the counter as you go in. Excellent spa facilities, always clean and they play some chill out pop music so you can relax to some sounds when you're having a soak! My favourite hotpools in town.

A tried and true Wellington treat - hire a crocodile bike and explore the waterfront and Oriental Parade, but be sure not to run over too many unsuspecting pedestrians or crash into other cyclists - this is where the bell comes in handy! Can be rented as 2-seaters or 4-seaters and there's even space on the front for a baby or two to be strapped in tight. Highly recommended - lots of fun.

Dixon St deli is a classic Wellington brunch spot with a tempting selection in their deli cabinets and for reasonable CBD prices. They also do delicious hearty winter food - check out their soup specials and filling hot brunches. Always bustling, weekdays and weekends.

Whether it's the freshest of fresh veges, dips, sauces, cheeses, breads - it's all waiting for you at Moore Wilsons on Tory. Convenient inner-city location and a foodie haven. My favourite Moore Wilsons snack is a pottle of taramasalata, some unctuous fresh cheese and some fresh crunchy bread.

You can't beat Burger Wisconsin for delicious burgers made from the freshest New Zealand ingredients. They have it all: tender meats, fish, falafel, haloumi, salads, sauces to die for and a range of sides and drinks. The staff at the Hataitai local are friendly and quick - and there's even a lolly jar on the counter for you to stave off hunger while waiting for your big feed.

Morena, gym bunnies. Kapai is the best place to get your health food freak on, and can't be beaten for a healthy take-out. It's always popular at lunchtime and it's easy to see why. Grab a customised salad, wrap, baked potato or daily soup special, add a smoothie or a fresh juice and be on your way. Lots of stores around Wellington too, so you won't have to walk far to get your healthful kick.

Cheap eats and great produce bargains - the perfect place to pick up fresh fruit and veg and I also love to pick up fresh flowers here which are always on special. Check out their new 'Feed 4 for $15' menu ideas instore.