planty

We're busy entertaining our first visitors from the UK - it's lovely to have them here, showing them the best that Canterbury has to offer! We're going to be spending a few days in Christchurch, so we thought we'd ask you lovely people for your advice!
First of all, is there anywhere that is a 'must see'? Our visitors fancy the idea of the cable car, but we want more ideas about family oriented activities (our visitors are over 60, so nothing too strenuous!!).
Secondly, we need advice about places to eat out - any suggestions (we have 3 children, but don't want to frequent McDonalds!).

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

happynz

I like Lyttelton. Nice place to have lunch and a drink. Orana Park zoo isn't bad. Some people like the International Antarctic Centre, but I haven't been so I can't really say. Poking around the Square is alright. The 17th to the 27th this month is the International Buskers' Festival which is quite good.

Hmmm...I live here and don't really think of touristy things so I'm a bit stuck for suggestions. Sorry.

Andrew Cross

I have friends over from Oz at the moment, so far we have done The Canterbury Museum, the Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park (nice walk along the Avon) The Ferrymead Heritage Park (old victorian village with a steam train and trams on sat/sun) They are doing the Antarctic Centre today when I am at work which is very good. Hope you have a great time with your in-laws..

littleal

We had a lovely day on the beach and having lunch on the front at Sumner. Also we enjoyed the art gallery and the artist quarter thingy that used to be the school. The gallery isn't boring for kids as they have a special children's gallery. There are some nice cafes in the artist quarter for toasties, muffins etc.

Have a nice time
Alison

Wiz'n'Ton

I can highly reccomend a boat trip from Lyttelton over the water to Diamond Harbour. It gives some great views of the Port Hills, plus there is a pub at the top of a not too major hill (10 mins to walk up at a slow amble - my 65yr old parents managed no worries) which does half decent meals for middle of the road prices, ($18 for a decent real-breast chicken burger) and serves Monteiths. It costs $10 return, and really feels like you're on holiday cos it involves a boat trip. Boats run every hr throughout the day, and more often morning and evening. Black Cat Cruises run the boats - google them for times etc.

Mona Vale was also a firm favourite for my parents. It's just off Fendalton Road near Hagley Park, with some gorgeous gardens and pretty Avon river vistas. It's free to enter, and there's a cafe/ restaurant at the house. Loads of ducks for kids to feed (buy a $1 loaf at Couplands just off Cathedral Sq) and plenty of space to run around. Big lilly pond with fish, rose garden etc.

Otherwise the gondola / tram combo is a good giggle, with a decent bus service from the city centre to the bottom of the gondola if you don't have transport. The tram trip is pretty short - but informative.

You can also climb the Cathederal Tower for a few bucks which is pretty good fun, however the climb is pretty steep and narrow. Great views over the city and square from the top.

New Brighton for the size and scope of the beach there, and for the kids to have a splash about/ boogie board/ hire a surf board. If you have a car, then go to Taylors Mistake, back through Sumner, and then do a left up to the Summit Road. Great in the evening as the sun sets over the city, this road goes along the top of the Port Hills and gives views down to Lyttelton Harbour, across to the Southern Alps etc. Only good on a still clear day though - it'll be covered in cloud if it's raining.

To eat - well Thai Samurai (right next to the Casino) does some lovely $10 mains for lunch every day during the week. Really good grub. For cheap and cheerful plates full of english based grub The Oxford On Avon on Colombo St is OK. Non-brits give it a wide berth, but if boiled veg, loads of roast spuds, meat and a yorkshire pud are what you want - it's the place to get it. There are lots of posh nosh places on 'The Strip' which is right by the river Avon on Oxford Terrace. It is spitting distance from the square, and I can reccomend the beer at The Tap Room - a decent range of Monteiths.

Anyone got experience of places to eat good for kids? As we have none, I'm clueless

Have a great time Planty - if you fancy a catch up then give us a shout as it'd be good to see you again.

TeamEmbo

Akaroa's supposed to be nice. Never been. Kids have and they enjoyed it. And Trans Alpine Railway though probably not a lot of snow on the picture postcard snow capped southern alps!

Can't really help with the kids eating thing either. Our two are 13 and 11 and aren't too fussed about MacD's etc. They'll eat what we do - anything from Indian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese etc so we don't have to worry about 'kid food'. Although they do like Denny's, the American diner up on Moorhouse Ave as we used to go to Denny's for breakfast when we were in Florida. Huge menu, very kid friendly, clean and reasonably priced and open 24/7.

planty

Thanks guys for all the suggestions so far! It's given us a lot of food for thought.
Will have to start to organise an itinery for our few days in Christchurch!

Wessa

Im taking notes too.. We're going there in for two weeks in march.

Lexylou

Great food at winnebagos - best pizza in town. I could kill one of their brie and chicken pizzas right now. YUM!

Often saw kids in Jack Flash in Cashmere but don't know if still there.

In the evening if you want to do something without the children, get a sitter and get down to Le Plonk, Manchester Street, best wine in Chch and owned by lovely people. Lovely sofas to chill on and we spend many a night (and a whole lot of money!!) drinking there! They decant the red wine for you if you want and do lovely nibbles etc.

littleal

...and don't forget there's the Wizard. Or is it HappyNZ?

Joshlin

hi guys - hope you're enjoying your first visitors - if you want to pop in when you're hear just shout

some other ideas to add into the mix:
science alive is great for the kids
willowbank is highly rated - we haven't been yet and they do a cultural evening with meal too
there's a number of mini golf places around
chipmunks / lollipops if weather is a bit off and the kids need to spend some energy
the air force museum
grab the visitor guide from the tourist information in cathedral square

eateries:
we take the kids to cobb and co - very family friendly, just on outskirts in Belfast
strawberry fayre is great for dessert - not overly child orientated though
cup cake parlour in town is great for afternoon tea (corner of Victoria and Salisbury)
Drexels for yummy breakfast / brunch but you need to book - on Hereford St just off cathedral square.

have fun!!!!
Vicki

planty

Thanks for that Vicky!
Yes, it's been great to have family over, and to show them all our favourite places. They want to see something of Maori culture, so we were thinking about going to Willowbank while we're in Chch.
Went to Lake Tekapo yesterday and had a great day - didn't realise there was a fire at Mount Cook Station! I promise we didn't start it!!