The final installment of 100 things to do in Cape Town for under R100!!! Some of these suggestion are a little tenuous, but we hope it got your imagination going! Please let us know your favourite thing to do in Cape Town by posting on our Facebook Wall! Enjoy…
81) Join a drumming session at The Drum Café @ Pumphouse The Pumphouse at the V&A Waterfront now hosts daily interactive drumming sessions in conjunction with the internationally renowned Drum Café. Each person is provided with a traditional African drum and a team of master facilitators and musicians teach participants how to play and how to listen to one another. We have astounded audiences by transforming groups into percussive orchestras and within 15 minutes, the group will be making music together. Drum Cafe have access to the richest talent in South Africa and the artistic expertise of the hosts will no doubt make you have an experience to remember. Where? The Pumphouse, situated next to Musica Megastore, V&A waterfront. When? Sessions on Mondays to Sundays at 15:00 and at 18:00. Telephone: 078 129-7373. Tickets cost R80.00 per person which includes drum hire
82) Take part in a Marathon, Cycling Race or …. Find races all around Cape Town that tickle your fancy – whether it be cycling, running, triathlon, swimming or Canoeing – Enter Online will have a range of races and fun events that you can take part in. Prices range from R0.00 upwards. Visit Enter Online. Entry fees start at R0.00 upward
84) Go Ice-skating at Cape Town’s only Ice Rink The Olympic size ice rink situated within grand west is a very popular facility. The rink is open to the public with the hire of ice skates available. Whether you wish to organise a party or just go skating with some friends the ice rink is a whole lot of fun. Where? Vanguard Drive, Goodwood, Cape Town. Telephone: 021 535-2260. Prices from R25.00 to R30.00 per session, depending on time of day.
85) Night tour of the Cape Town Astronomical Observatory (2nd Sat every month only). South African Astronomical Observatory’s Cape Town headquarters, on the site of the former Royal Observatory (1828–1971) includes offices, the main library, computing facilities, engineering workshops and historic telescopes. Members of the public are welcome to visit the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town on the second Saturday of every month at 20:00. The gates will be open and visitors should gather by the pillars in front of the main building after parking nearby. After a brief introduction, the tour will introduce visitors to the work of an astronomer today (mostly with computers), show some of the curious instruments and devices of yesteryear, and (if the weather is clear) give everyone a chance to look at something in the sky through one of the telescopes. If the Cape Town skies are cloudy that night, a slide show will give an introduction to the Universe in one easy session. Where? Street address: Observatory Road, Observatory, Cape Town. Telephone: 021 447-0025 Cape Town Night Tour – no cost (donations are welcome).
86) Spend an afternoon at Muizenberg Beach Muizenberg, very popular during its heyday in the ‘60s and’70s, is where every surfer learns to cut his teeth and one of the most racially integrated beaches in Cape Town. Synonymous with the colourful beach huts that make their way onto picture postcards of Cape Town, this very long beach can get pretty busy during peak season but the waves are not too powerful and there are other facilities here such as put-putt courses and water slides so that it never feels crowded. No charge
87) The South African Museum. For every object on exhibition at the South African Museum, there are thousands more carefully stored away. The Museum houses more than one and a half million specimens of scientific importance. For nearly 200 years scientists at the Museum have been adding to these collections and studying them. The collections now range from fossils almost 700 million years old to insects and fish caught last week. There are also stone tools made by people 120 000 years ago, traditional clothes from the last century, and T-shirts printed yesterday. 25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens. Hours: Mondays to Sundays, 10h00 to 17h00. Closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday. Telephone: 021 481-3800. Cost: Entrance Fees Adults: R10.00; children: R5.00
88) Visit the Cape Medical Museum The Cape Medical Museum, which was first opened in 1986, is housed in what was once the residence of the Medical Superintendent of the now defunct City Hospital for Infectious Diseases, built in 1900. Come and view the Cape medical history, including an intriguing display of indigenous medicines and medicinal plants. The Cape Medical Museum reflects medical history with an emphasis on both western and traditional medicine at the Cape. To see: Turn-of -the-century reconstruction of a consulting room / dispensary, dentist’s room, operating theatre and hospital ward. Sangoma’s bones, Flower of Fatima, Unique instruments and equipment and a whole lot more. Where? Portswood Road, Green Point (at the Waterfront entrance). Telephone: 021 418-5663. When? Tuesdays to Fridays from 09:00 to 16:00. Entrance fee: Please make a donation.
89) Misty Cliffs Beach. Conservation village, wild beauty and you won’t see droves of tourists. You will be sharing the beach with +/- 20 other visitors unlike other beaches in Cape Town where you might fight for towel-space. Take your own drinks and food because the nearest shop is +/- 2km away. Also recommended on one of Cape Town’s Winter days (no swimming though because of the cold Atlantic Ocean). But take a group of friends, a picnic and beach games for a little bit of ‘Summer in July’. Entrance free
90) Watch Penguins and Sea Birds being fed and cared for at SANCOB Sea Bird Centre open daily at feeding times. Injured or oiled sea birds (including penguins) are captured, stabilised, treated, washed (if necessary) then maintained until waterproof and ready for release. Visit the rehabilitation centre and get to watch them being fed every day at 10:00 and 15:00. Where? 20 Pentz Road Table View. Telephone: 021 557-6155.
SANCOB = South African National Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds. Visit the Website for additional information: SANCOB Entrance free. Please make a donation.
91) Chapmans Peak Drive and picnic Combine the spectacularly scenic drive along Chapmans Peak with a picnic along the way. Pack your own basket and choose one of the many stops along this well-known drive. There is a small fee to drive along Chapman’s Peak, but it’s worth it. The views are spectacular. No charge.
93) For luxury car enthusiasts – visit the BMW Pavilion at the Waterfront An absolute must for all luxury car enthusiasts, the BMW Pavilion showcases the latest models in the prestigious BMW stable. Here fans can see pre-release vehicles before they reach showroom floors. A range of BMW accessories can be bought from the Lifestyle Store and visitors can enjoy a relaxing meal at the Fascination Café. Where? The BMW Pavilion at the V&A Waterfront. When? Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 to 22:00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 09:00 to 22:00. Telephone: 021 419-5850. Entry in Free.
94) Visit Mostert’s Mill in Rosebank Mosterts Mill was built on a farm in the valley of the Liesbeek River at the end of the 18th Century. The farm was ‘Welgelegen’, the property of Gysbert van Renen, a member of one of the foremost families of the Cape. It is believed that the windmill was built by him in 1796 the year after the ‘Battle of Muizenberg’ when the British took control of the Cape. Until then, under the rule of the Dutch East India Company, building and operation of mills were strictly controlled and private mills were rare.
Mosterts Mill is open to the public most Saturdays when volunteer millers operate the mill. If you would like to see the Mill in operation or purchase some flour, the “Millers” would be delighted to see you and show you around this delightful example of “Living Heritage”. Telephone: 088 129-7168 to see if open. No charge.
95) See the 2 Oceans meet at Cape Point At the tip of the Cape Peninsula you will find Cape Point within the Cape Peninsula National Park. The treacherous cliffs forming the most south-western tip of Africa are some of the highest in the world. Inside the reserve you will find a variety of animals including buck, baboons and Cape Mountain Zebra as well as over 250 species of birds and indigenous flora that is found nowhere else in the world. Take a scenic drive, stop at one of the many picnic spots and tidal pools and travel to the Lighthouse lookout by funicular or on foot for spectacular views. Telephone: 021 780-9204. Entrance: R25.00 per person.
96) Go nude sun-bathing at Sandy Bay Sandy Bay, a bit of a clamber across the boulders from Llandudno or a walk from the car park, is enclosed by sand dunes and well protected from the wind. It’s Cape Town’s nudist beach and not as busy as the other beaches, possibly because of the walk. But you can escape the crowds here and don’t have to be naked in order to experience the beach. (Source: SA-Venues.com. See more about: Cape Town Beaches). No charge.
97) Sun-downers at La Med in Clifton La Med is very popular as a summer sundowner spot, a great Cape Town tradition. With a beach setting and an incredible vibe, this is one of Cape Town’s best offerings. Once the sun has gone down DJs host theme parties, and there is live music on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Food here is inexpensive South African and State-side fair. There’s a full bar, with beer and wine also available. Where? Glen Country Club, Victoria Road, Clifton. When? Monday to Friday from 15:00, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00. Telephone: 021 438-5600. No entrance fee. Cocktails start at R18.00.
98) Cocktails at The Obz Café Head over to the Obz Cafés and try one of their famous cocktails. The House speciality is “the long island ice tea” – be warned, it packs quite a punch! Obz Café is open all day for light meals, excellent coffee or cocktails, great salads and sandwiches. The deli has a wide variety of delicious snacks to choose from. Where? 115 Lower Main Road in Observatory. Open 365 day a year from 07:00 until 01:00 at night. Telephone: 021) 448-5555. Entrance: R25.00 per person.
99) Join the Peninsula Ramblers on a Hike For years it was customary for the Club to alternate a Saturday afternoon hike with a full-day Sunday hike, but the enthusiasm of the members has lately resulted in two and sometimes even three hikes being organised per weekend. Check out their Hiking Programme to see what’s coming up in the near future. If you’re interested in doing a permit hike book early as the numbers are limited to 12 and the hikes are very popular. Visitors are welcome to join up. Visit the website for more info and contact details. Peninsula Ramblers. Visitors are asked to make a R5.00 donation.
100) Take in a show at the Kalk Bay Theatre The Kalk Bay Theatre (KBT)is a 79-seater theatre/restaurant located on 52 Main Road, Kalk Bay. KBT is located in the old Kalk Bay DR church, built in 1876 and is a heritage protected building.The building has been lovingly converted into an intimate theatre with the restaurant on the upper floor. KBT offers a unique night of entertainment. Dinner, theatre and quality time with friends all under the same roof. Where? 52 Main Road, Kalk Bay. Telephone: 073 220-5430. Website: Kalk Bay Theatre. Show only: R90.00 per person.