KEY POINTS:
Pop Up Gallery on Ghuznee St (off Cuba St) is heaven for pop-art enthusiasts, with limited-edition prints from internationally renowned and up-and-coming artists. And heaps of cool T-shirts and toys.
More than 70 New Zealand artists, craftspeople and designers are represented at treasure trove Beckon Design Store on Willis St.
Madame Fancy Pants on Cuba St has handmade designer goodies by local and international designers. There's cute belts, clothes, shoes, cards, accessories, ornaments, bags, shoes, kids' stuff and trinkets galore.
Fashion lovers won't want to miss Miss Wong, a unisex urban boutique on College St not far from Cuba St.
Fin, on Cuba St, is the one-stop shop for a woman's bottom half. Its pants, skirts and shorts are sold exclusively in Wellington.
If you're into interiors, stop into Madder & Rouge on College St. As well as vintage finds, there's modern-style jugs, ceramics and homewares.
Floridatas is known for the best eggs in town and seriously good Mojo coffee. Open breakfast to dinner, and for late-night cocktails.
Perennial favourite Fidels on Cuba St has an extensive selection of counter food to tempt you away from the menu.
Funky new Superfino (on Ghuznee St, just off Cuba St), is a cross between a European coffee house and an old-school milk bar, morphing into a bar come night.
Sweet Mothers Kitchen on Courtenay Place proffers a largely Cajun and Creole menu, and is open from early morning to 10pm.
Wines connoisseurs might like to stop into 2007 Wine Bar of the Year, Vivo Enoteca Cucina on Edward St - or Hawthorn Lounge on Tory St, which was New Bar of the Year and Cocktail List of the Year in the 2007 NZ Bar Awards.
While Te Papa's always worth a visit, another gallery to call on is the City Gallery in Civic Square with major exhibitions by international and local artists. And down the road at Queen's Wharf is often-overlooked gem, the Museum of Wellington City & Sea.
The NZ Film Archive has more than 25,000 films, books, magazines and videos available to view free, film screenings Wednesday to Saturday, film and video-art exhibitions and a coffee bar.
- Detours, HoS
