Things to Do in Wellington: Our Staff Picks Near Cuba Street

Wellington is a compact city, which makes it easy to fit quite a lot into a short visit. If you’re coming from out of town for an appointment or laser eye surgery, you might decide to stay a little longer. Why not make a little holiday out of it?

Being based in the heart of Cuba Street means we’re surrounded by plenty to see and do. There are well-known Wellington attractions, independent shops, live music, great walks and a few less-obvious local favourites.

Whether you’ve got a couple of hours to fill, a free day before your appointment or a whole weekend in Wellington, here are some of our staff picks.

Explore Cuba Street and the neighbourhood

You don’t need to travel far from Wellington Eye Centre to get a feel for the city. Cuba Street is one of Wellington’s most interesting areas to explore, and it’s right on our doorstep.

Take some time to wander along Cuba Mall and stop at the Bucket Fountain. There are plenty of independent shops tucked along Cuba Street and the surrounding laneways too.

A few worth a special mention include Lazulé for unique jewellery and Wellington Apothecary for natural skincare and remedies. Welly Collective is great for locally made products and gifts. If you’re into digging through crates of vinyl, check out Slow Boat Records.

There are also plenty of second-hand clothing stores and bookshops dotted around the area. It’s an easy place to spend an hour or two browsing without needing much of a plan.

And if exploring Cuba Street makes you hungry, have a look at our Where to Eat in Wellington: Our Staff Picks Near Cuba Street guide. You’ll find some of the team’s favourite cafes, takeaways and restaurants nearby.

Music, movies and entertainment

One of the things we like about Wellington is that there’s usually something happening. That’s particularly true around Cuba Street and the central city.

Live music and theatre

If live music is your thing, it’s worth checking what’s on while you’re in town.

San Fran on Cuba Street is one of Wellington’s best-known live music venues. You’ll find a mix of local acts and touring artists.

Rogue & Vagabond is another favourite for live music in a more relaxed setting. Gryphon Theatre is also worth checking for local theatre productions and performances.

Have a look at what’s on during your visit. You might find anything from a small local gig to a touring band or theatre production.

Catch a movie at Light House Cuba

If you feel like an easy evening activity, Light House Cuba is our cinema pick.

It’s an independent Wellington cinema tucked away on Wigan Street in the Cuba Quarter. That makes it an easy option if you’re staying around the central city.

Museums and Wellington must-sees

There are a few classic Wellington attractions that are genuinely worth doing, especially if it’s your first visit.

Te Papa

Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand’s national museum and one of the easiest recommendations for visitors.

You can spend as little or as much time there as you like. Exhibitions cover New Zealand history, Māori culture, art and the natural world.

It’s also right on the waterfront, so it’s easy to combine with a wander through the city.

Wellington Museum

Wellington Museum is another good option if you’re interested in the history of the city itself.

It’s smaller than Te Papa, so it’s easy to fit into a shorter visit. It’s also handy if you’re already exploring the waterfront and central city.

Wētā Workshop

Interested in film, props, special effects or the creative side of movie-making? Wētā Workshop is worth heading out to Miramar for.

It’s a little further from the CBD, so allow more time for this one. It’s a distinctive Wellington experience and well worth considering if you’re making a weekend of your visit.

Something a bit different

If you’ve already done the classic Wellington attractions, you might feel like something a little less touristy.

Wellington Chocolate Factory

Wellington Chocolate Factory is worth a visit for more than just picking up chocolate.

Keep an eye out for their chocolatier classes and other hands-on experiences. You can learn a little more about how chocolate is made and come away with something edible at the end.

Welly Putt

For something light-hearted, Welly Putt is an easy way to fill an hour or two with a round of indoor mini golf.

It’s central and doesn’t require a big time commitment. It’s a fun option when you feel like doing something rather than simply sightseeing.

Space Place

At the top of the Cable Car, Space Place is a fun option for anyone interested in astronomy.

There’s a planetarium, interactive exhibits and a historic telescope. They also run special events from time to time, so check what’s on while you’re in Wellington.

It’s easy to combine with the Cable Car and Botanic Garden too.

Walks and great Wellington views

Wellington is surrounded by hills and bush, with plenty of good walks within easy reach of the central city.

These are better suited to before surgery, or once you’re feeling recovered and your clinical team is happy for you to return to more active plans.

Polhill Reserve to the Brooklyn Wind Turbine

One of Maisie’s favourites is the walk through Polhill Reserve towards the Brooklyn Wind Turbine.

It’s a great way to get out of the city without travelling far. Along the way you’ll find bush, views over Wellington and some interesting local history.

You can also explore the historic bunkers in the area. They add something a little different to the walk beyond simply heading uphill for the view.

Mount Victoria

For one of the classic Wellington views, head up Mount Victoria.

You can walk if you’re feeling energetic or drive up if you’d rather skip the climb. From the top, you’ll get a great outlook over the city, harbour and surrounding hills.

The waterfront

For something much gentler, walking along Wellington’s waterfront is hard to beat.

Start around the central city and wander towards Oriental Bay. Stop whenever you feel like it. It’s easy, scenic and doesn’t require much planning.

If you’re making a weekend of it

If you’ve decided to stay an extra day or two, there are a few experiences worth setting aside more time for.

Zealandia

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is one of Wellington’s most distinctive attractions. It’s a great choice if you’re interested in native wildlife and conservation.

It’s surprisingly close to the central city. Once you’re inside, though, it feels a world away.

Explore the bays

If you’ve got access to a car, take some time to explore Wellington’s coastline.

Head beyond Oriental Bay and you’ll see a completely different side of Wellington. Exploring the bays is an easy way to turn a short visit into a more relaxed day out.

Take the Cable Car

The Wellington Cable Car is a classic Wellington experience and an easy way to get up to Kelburn.

From the top, you can explore the Botanic Garden or visit Space Place. Or simply take in the view before heading back down.

Make a little holiday out of your Wellington visit

If you’re travelling to Wellington for laser eye surgery, your visit doesn’t have to be all appointments and eye drops.

You may have some free time before surgery, depending on your treatment schedule. You might also decide to stay an extra night or two and explore once you’ve recovered enough.

One of the advantages of Wellington Eye Centre’s Cuba Street location is how much is within easy reach. Browse local shops, have a great coffee, visit a museum or catch some live music. You can also wander down to the waterfront without travelling far.

For the food side of your visit, take a look at our Where to Eat in Wellington: Our Staff Picks Near Cuba Street guide. It includes the team’s favourite coffee spots, quick takeaways, casual restaurants and places for a special dinner.

And if you’re not sure what to do, ask us while you’re here. Everyone in the team has their own favourite Wellington spots. We’re usually more than happy to point you in the right direction.

A note for our laser eye surgery patients

If you’re planning activities around your surgery, make sure your recovery comes first.

Follow the post-operative instructions provided by your clinical team. Check with us if you’re unsure whether a particular activity is appropriate.

It’s generally easier to do your bigger sightseeing activities before surgery. Keep the immediate recovery period relaxed.

You can also find more information about what to expect on the day of laser eye surgery and preparing for your treatment and other interesting articles on our website.

Ready to see Wellington a little more clearly?
If you’re considering laser eye surgery, book a free laser suitability assessment with Wellington Eye Centre to find out which treatment options may be right for you.

You can also call us on 0800 733 327, or email info@wefixeyes.co.nz to chat with our team.