Things to Do in Wellington
Top attractions, best neighborhoods to wander, and the food you shouldn't skip in Wellington, New Zealand — 2026 traveler picks.
Top places to see
Te Papa Tongarewa (national museum)
Free national museum — Treaty of Waitangi + earthquake house + colossal squid. Easily 2-3 hours. Among Wellington's best experiences.
Mount Victoria Lookout
Free walk/bus to the iconic Wellington panorama. 196m hill with city + harbour + South Island views on clear days.
Cuba Street + Courtenay Place
Wellington's bohemian quarter — Cuba Street pedestrian mall + cafes + Bucket Fountain. Free walking. Essential Wellington atmosphere.
Weta Workshop tour (Miramar)
Lord of the Rings + Hobbit + King Kong special effects workshop tour. NZD 45 (book ahead). 90 minutes. 5 min from WLG.
Book tours + skip-the-line tickets
Compare tours + attractions in Wellington across GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Trip.com — free cancellation on most, and prices match direct booking.
Things to do in Wellington
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Wellington and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse WellingtonJust need timed-entry attraction tickets? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Wellington.Eat here first
Flat white at any cafe (Wellington has more cafes per capita than NYC). Fish + chips at the Naked Fish (Lyall Bay). Craft beer at Garage Project. Pavlova for dessert. Hokey pokey ice cream.
Local tip
WLG is 8km from centre — Airport Express bus (NZD 12 / €7) is the standard option. Public bus 91 (NZD 3.50 / €2) is the cheap option. Wellington wind is famous — pack layers + jacket. For 4+ hour layovers: bus + Te Papa + flat white + Mount Vic walk is achievable.
Where to stay
Hotels across Wellington — filter by neighborhood + budget on the map below.