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Christchurch Central City in Christchurch

Things to Do in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

Hagley Park and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, providing green spaces amidst the urban environment. The area is walkable and includes the Barbadoes Street Cemetery for a touch of history.

Hagley Park and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, providing green spaces amidst the urban environment. The area is walkable and includes the Barbadoes Street Cemetery for a touch of history.

  • Canterbury Earthquake National MemorialCanterbury Earthquake National MemorialMonument
  • Punting on the Avon and Antigua BoatshedsPunting on the Avon and Antigua BoatshedsThemed Experience
  • Cardboard CathedralCardboard CathedralCathedral
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By TripSapien · Updated September 3, 2026

Top things to do in Christchurch Central City

  • Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial

    4.7 · 872
    Monument

    The memorial beside the Avon River names those who died in the 2011 earthquake and gives the central city recovery a sober anchor.

    Every day
    12 AM – 12 AM
  • Punting on the Avon and Antigua Boatsheds in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Punting on the Avon and Antigua Boatsheds

    4.7 · 1.7k
    Themed Experience

    Sightseeing rides in a small, flat-bottomed boat poled by a guide dressed in Edwardian clothing.

    Every day
    9:30 AM – 4 PM
  • Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Cardboard Cathedral

    4.4 · 2.2k
    Cathedral

    Interim cathedral, constructed from cardboard to replace a church damaged in a 2011 earthquake.

    Mon–Fri
    9 AM – 4 PM
    Sat
    9 AM – 4 PM
    Sun
    9 AM – 3 PM
  • Christchurch Art Gallery in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Christchurch Art Gallery

    4.5 · 3.7k
    Art Museum

    Art museum showcasing contemporary works & offering films, lectures, tours & family events.

    Mon–Tue
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Wed
    10 AM – 9 PM
    Thu–Fri
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Sun
    10 AM – 5 PM
  • Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park

    4.7 · 14.9k
    Botanical Garden

    These gardens in Hagley Park feature native & exotic plants outdoors & in several conservatories.

    Every day
    7 AM – 8:30 PM
  • Christchurch Botanic Gardens in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Christchurch Botanic Gardens

    4.7 · 14.8k
    Botanical Garden

    These gardens in Hagley Park feature native & exotic plants outdoors & in several conservatories.

    Every day
    7 AM – 8:30 PM
  • Fred and Myrtle's Paua Shell House in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Fred and Myrtle's Paua Shell House

    Museum

    A New Zealand couple's shell-adorned home living room, now on display at the Canterbury Museum

    Map
  • Scorpio Books in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Scorpio Books

    4.8 · 1.2k
    Bookstore

    Independent bookshop offering a thoughtful selection of books & cards in a comfy atmosphere.

    Mon–Fri
    9 AM – 6 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Sun
    10 AM – 5 PM
  • Arts Centre in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Arts Centre

    4.6 · 759
    Art Gallery

    Complex of 23 heritage buildings with shops, restaurants, art spaces & cultural events.

    Every day
    10 AM – 5 PM
  • Ballantynes in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Ballantynes

    4.4 · 2.5k
    Department Store

    New Zealand department store chain

    Mon–Fri
    9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
    Sat
    9:30 AM – 5 PM
    Sun
    10 AM – 5 PM

Where to eat & drink in Christchurch Central City

  • The Church Pub in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    The Church Pub

    4.6 · 1.3k
    Brewpub· NZ$10–50

    The Trinity Church or Trinity Congregational Church designed by Benjamin Mountfort, later called the State Trinity Centre, is a Category I heritage building listed with Heritage New Zealand.

    Every day
    11 AM – 1 AM
  • A Rolling Stone in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    A Rolling Stone

    4.6 · 568
    Live Music
    Mon
    5 PM – 10 PM
    Tue
    5 PM – 12 AM
    Wed
    Closed
    Thu
    4 PM – 11 PM
    Fri
    3 PM – 3 AM
    Sat
    3 PM – 3 AM
    Sun
    2 PM – 11 PM
  • The Last Word in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    The Last Word

    4.7 · 874
    Lounge· $10-50

    A whisky and cocktail lounge in historic New Regent Street, offering a selection of whiskies, cocktails, craft beer, and boutique wines.

    Mon–Thu
    2 PM – 11 PM
    Fri
    12 AM – 1 AM, 2 PM – 1 AM
    Sat
    2 PM – 12 AM
    Sun
    2 PM – 9 PM
  • Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn

    4.7 · 2.4k
    Brewery· $$

    Comfy tavern with a traditional, UK-style vibe offering a vast beer selection & inventive pub grub.

    Mon–Thu
    3 PM – 11 PM
    Fri
    12 PM – 11 PM
    Sat
    12 PM – 11 PM
    Sun
    12 PM – 10 PM
  • Little Poms cafe in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Little Poms cafe

    4.6 · 1.7k
    Brunch· $20-30

    A cafe in Christchurch known for its breakfast and brunch menu, including hotcakes, scrambled eggs, waffles, and house-smoked salmon.

    Every day
    6:30 AM – 3 PM
  • Riverside Market in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

    Riverside Market

    4.7 · 7.5k
    Food Hall

    Buzzy indoor market with retailers selling locally sourced food, plus restaurants, cafes & bars.

    Mon–Wed
    7:30 AM – 8 PM
    Thu–Fri
    7:30 AM – 9 PM
    Sat
    7:30 AM – 9 PM
    Sun
    7:30 AM – 8 PM

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Christchurch Central City map

Ranked using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.

Map of Christchurch Central City with pinned top attractions (1 through 10)
  1. 1Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial
  2. 2Punting on the Avon and Antigua Boatsheds
  3. 3Cardboard Cathedral
  4. 4Christchurch Art Gallery
  5. 5Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park
  6. 6Christchurch Botanic Gardens
  7. 7Fred and Myrtle's Paua Shell House
  8. 8The Church Pub
  9. 9A Rolling Stone
  10. 10The Last Word

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