Very cool place for movie hire. The staff are always friendly and are very lenient when it comes to…read morelate returns. They have a huge selection for a place like Christchurch.

Living in the Bay Area, I was intrigued to see an earthquake museum when in Christchurch. Staff…read morestruck up a short conversation about earthquake experiences when I mentioned that I was from the Bay Area. Quake City was my second one and though it was much smaller than the one in Taiwan, it did a good job of presenting a variety of information, artifacts and more. The first person testimony of those who lived through the two consequential earthquakes gave insights into what went on, responses and impacts. I did find the hands on liquefaction exhibit to be quite educational and eye opening to the size of the affected areas. San Francisco had a similar problem in the 1989 quake. Well worth the admission and overall spent more than one hour here.

Relics, artifacts and memorabilia that tell the story of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes that struck…read moreCanterbury and Christchurch. Much about how the city was damaged and a tremendous amount that shows the response and heroism that occurred afterwards. Lots of science and lots of video. The liquefaction demo was one of my favorite parts and it was interesting to see the spire from the Christchurch Cathedral. Absolutely worth a stop. [Review 386 of 2024 - 39 in New Zealand - 21419 overall]

Located right across from the Christchurch Botanic Gardens is another free place to visit, the Arts…read moreCentre of Christchurch. The Arts Centre takes up the entire block, and it's nice place to wander around and take in the architecture of the buildings, the numerous exhibits, and the beautiful scenery. There are also food trucks, cafes, small shops, and even a hotel! The exhibits are a mix of art and science with Rutherford's Den with sensory displays and the Physics Room, which is self-explanatory. While art isn't really my thing, everywhere was very well maintained and clean. I suppose the most interesting part was the "Floating House" above the courtyard. Overall, the Arts Centre is a nice place to walk around and enjoy the exhibits as well as find food trucks and other international eateries. It's right across the street from the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and nearby other attractions.

A mix of history and the present…read more Located in the heart of Christchurch, The Arts Centre is an Aotearoa New Zealand landmark - home to galleries, museums, cinemas, boutique retailers, artisan eateries and bars, engaging events, stunning venues and much more. Full of history and architectural beauty. Once these buildings were the home to Canterbury College (now the University of Canterbury). The 23 buildings are a fantastic place to spend some time. Take in the architecture, the quaint shops, a gallery, a bite, or stay the night. One of the buildings is a gorgeous hotel. As I wandered the grounds and buildings, I stumbled into more of the history. In the Clock Tower, the den is home to the actual rooms where Rutherford, the father of nuclear physics, studied while a student at Canterbury College. Including the restored Victorian lecture theatre. It felt a little bit out of Harry Potter. Imagine standing where Rutherford made so many scientific discoveries. Later giving us tv, radio, sonar and telephones. So many great shops and galleries I wandered through for almost three hours. I'm glad I found the center. Wished I had known more about it sooner.

This art gallery is FREE, but donations are encouraged to continue this. A great indoor activity to…read morekill at least 1-2 hours depending on your interest and level of appreciation for art. The museum floor plan is expansive, spanning from the ground level to the upper floors, so it's a must do while in Central ChCh. Plenty of portraits, abstracts, and modern art to learn about. I especially loved how many a piece paid tribute to the Maori culture. I was able to learn about their plight, stolen lands, and continued struggles in the present to reclaim their land. Lands which have seemingly transformed and ultimately have been destroyed to the point of unrecognition. It's crazy how history repeats itself in different parts of the world. An amazing gallery with beautiful pieces! A perfect way to learn about New Zealand and its culture!

Art, art, art. This is the fun stuff I want to see what I travel and this morning's visit to the…read moreChristchurch Art Gallery was a fabulous way to see exactly what I wanted. Especially so on a drizzly day. Perfect museum day! Expect two hours of great portraits, landscapes and abstracts. A few names I recognized like Hepworth and Rodin. And definitely look around and up at some of the pieces hanging from the ceiling and along the stairs. Easily miss able and that would be a shame. [Review 384 of 2024 - 37 in New Zealand - 21417 overall]

It was a chilly and rainy day when we visited the Botanic Garden…read more The visitor center was our starting point, a bright and modern building with a well designed exhibits about the garden, history and more. A gift shop, busy cafe and clean bathrooms were also inside but most importantly warm. The conservatory was closed but the rest of the expansive garden was open and a helpful map displayed the highlights and walking path to explore during the autumn season. The paths were a combination of asphalt and gravel. While the gardens were in its autumnal colors we couldn't fully escape the sounds of the city with helicopters flying overhead to and from the nearby hospital. We ended our walk at the Peacock Fountain and caught the tail end of its water show. While we did not get to see many blooms, it was still a beautiful place to explore and would come back again on another visit to Christchurch.

Amazing with so many lovely flowers.. Rose garden is an absolute must…read more Enjoy the eatery's with excellent food ( sandwiches - Ruben almost like New York). Free entry but parking on weekends is difficult

Got a burger and it was tasty but nothing special. There is live music here which is great, but it…read morewas really loud and I wasn't able to hear anyone in my group when the music started, even when we were sitting at the outdoor tables. However, there is a nice view of the riverwalk area from the outdoor seats. Service is standard, had no issues here. Great spot for a casual hangout.

Great little bar, upstairs overlooking the river, trolley cars, and bustling sidewalks along the…read moreriver. We sat outside on the deck and people watched. Bar food, (nachos, fries, jalapeño poppers, Margarita pizza. Average bar food. Food was Nothing to write home about. I had a glass of Shiraz (it was very nice). My Hubby had a KPA beer.. said it was really good. Service was good. Prices good. I loved the ambiance... hanging out on the patio, live music inside. It was super fun. Just know... food is average bar food

Unreliable, don't communicate and when you finally get in touch with Ross he has excuses and…read morepromises that he don't for fill Best find else where