Attractions

The Summertime Bus is an excellent way to see Nelson's best attractions. Tickets and bus stops are available from the visitor center, or from the bus driver: NZ$6 (US$4.25/£2.15) for a circuit, NZ$12 (US$8.50/£4.30) for an all-day pass, and NZ$25 (US$18/£9) for a family day pass. The double-decker bus leaves from the visitor center on the hour from 10am to 4pm. It operates weekends only from November 6 until December 5; every day (except Dec 25) from December 11 until February 6; and then weekends only until March 27.

Nelson's Top Museums & Historic Buildings

Nelson Provincial Museum, Trafalgar and Hardy streets (tel. 03/548-9588; www.museumnp.org.nz), relocated to its original 1842 site in October 2005 and now, the treasure-filled museum is welcoming in a new era of fascinating permanent displays and changing exhibitions. Look out for the fabulous silver collection, antique furniture, historic books, and Maori artifacts -- not to mention the new stained glass window featuring native birds and plants. Its research center in the former museum building in Isel Park, Stoke, houses one of the largest historic photographic collections in the country, and a comprehensive reference library on local history. The museum is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm (weekends and public holidays until 4:30); the Research Facility is open Saturdays 10am to 2pm, and Tuesday through Friday by appointment. Museum admission is by donation; the research facility is free.

In Stoke, a suburb of Nelson, you'll find the Broadgreen Historic House, 276 Nayland St. (tel. 03/547-0403; fax 03/547-0409), a restored two-story cob house built in the mid-1850s. This New Zealand Tourism Award winner has 11 rooms furnished to faithfully represent a family home of the period. It's open daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm; call for winter hours. Admission is NZ$6 (US$4.25/£2.15) for adults and NZ$2 (US$1.40/70p) for children under 15.

In central Nelson, it's worth visiting the South Street Historic Precinct. Just off Nile Street West behind the Rutherford Hotel, this cute little street captures the feel of a past era. Sixteen working-class cottages built between 1863 and 1867 remain intact and are still inhabited. Nearby, on top of Church Hill, is Nelson Cathedral, 367 Trafalgar St. (tel. 03/548-1008; nelson.cathedral@clear.net.nz). It's open daily free of charge to visitors, in summer from 8am to 6pm and in winter from 8am to 5pm. Built of local Takaka marble, the cathedral is known for its striking stained glass, carved features, and unique free-standing organ. Car and fashion buffs -- jointly or separately -- will enjoy the World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum, 95 Quarantine Rd. (tel. 03/547-4573; fax 03/547-0856; www.wowcars.co.nz), which presents around 50 collectible cars and motorbikes, as well as a stunning collection of past entries and winners of the internationally renowned World of Wearable Arts Awards. It's open daily from 10am to 6pm in summer and from 10am to 5pm in winter. Admission is NZ$18 (US$13/£6.45) for adults, NZ$14 (US$10/£5) for seniors, and NZ$7 (US$5/£2.50) for children ages 5 to 14. They also offer family concessions and there's a shop and gallery on-site.

Across town, the Founder's Heritage Park, 87 Atawhai Dr. (tel. 03/548-2649; www.founderspark.co.nz), is a replica of a historic village containing many of the old buildings and artifacts of Nelson. Special attractions include Dr. Bush's Windmill, the Port Nelson Exhibition, vintage and horse-drawn vehicles, fire engines, and a working train. It's open daily from 10am to 4:30pm (closed Good Friday and Dec 25); admission is NZ$5 (US$3.55/£1.80) for adults, NZ$2 (US$1.40/£70p) for children, and NZ$13 (US$9.20/£4.70) per family. Train rides run daily between December 26 and January 10. Look out for the interesting organic brewery complex on site.

Last, but definitely not least, is The Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatu, 208 Bridge St. (tel. 03/548-4699; www.thesuter.org.nz), the region's public art museum. Collections include works by 19th-century New Zealand artists with strong Nelson ties, such as Gully, Lindauer, and Van der Velden. There's an excellent crafts shop and a bush-clad cafe overlooking Queens Gardens. It's open daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm and admission is NZ$3 (US$2.15/£1.10) adults, NZ$1 (US70¢/35p) for students and children.

Liquid Sunshine -- Nelson olive oils are rapidly gaining recognition nationally and internationally, as some of the best you'll taste anywhere. If you're a fan of dipping, drizzling, and pouring, give in to temptation and visit some of the following. Note: It pays to call first to make sure they're open for direct sales. Moutere Grove, 979 Central Rd., Upper Moutere (tel. 03/543-2232; www.mouteregrove.co.nz), has a free tour and organic olive oil tastings by appointment only. Hau Plains Olive Oil, 543 High St., Motueka (tel. 03/528-6391; www.hauplains.co.nz), is open most days for sales and tastings. Others to look out for are Frog's End Estate, Westdale Road, Richmond (tel. 03/544-0570; frogsend@ts.co.nz); Tasman Bay Olives, Horton Road, Tasman (tel. 03/540-2084; www.olivesnewzealand.com); and Mount Heslington Olives, 89 Mount Heslington Rd., Brightwater (tel. 03/542-3727; mt.heslington@clear.net.nz).

The Moutere Hills Wineries

Most of Nelson's 18 or so wineries are scattered along the rolling Moutere Hills and the alluvial Waimea Plains. The wines -- Riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, Gewürztraminer, cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and pinot noir -- have intense fruit flavors, good acidic balance, and weight. A number of wineries have tasting rooms and restaurants. For more details on Nelson wineries, tap into the Nelson Winemakers Association website at www.nelsonwines.co.nz, or www.eatdrinknelson.co.nz.

The visitor center has a leaflet and a very clear map pinpointing the best of the area's wineries, or you can take a wine tour with JJ's Quality Tours, 31a Stansell Ave., Nelson (tel. 0800/568-568 in NZ, or tel./fax 03/546-5470; www.jjs.co.nz). It costs from NZ$75 (US$53/£27) for a half-day tour. For a similar price, Bay Tours, Nelson (tel. 0800/229-868 in NZ, or 03/548-6886; www.baytoursnelson.co.nz), also offers an excellent range of gourmet wine tours that include either food or art stops. If you're short on time, hot-foot it straight to the Regional Wine Centre, 67 Aranui Rd., Mapua (tel. 03/540-2526; fax 03/540-2561), which features a showing of the region's best wines, olive oils, beers, and gourmet foods. It includes a wine and taste center, a cafe, and a restaurant. Or, in Nelson City itself, Casa del Vino, 214 Hardy St. (tel. 03/548-0088; www.casadelvino.co.nz), which stocks a huge range of Nelson and New Zealand wines and holds regular wine tastings in summer. You can also pick up wine maps of the region here and take advantage of the worldwide shipping service. They're open Monday to Thursday 10am to 6:30pm and Friday and Saturday 10am to 7:30pm, except in December and January, when they're only open on Sundays 10am to 3pm.

One of the best-known producers is Neudorf Vineyards, Neudorf Road, Upper Moutere (tel. 03/543-2643; www.neudorf.co.nz). Set in a picturesque vineyard, the winery offers prearranged tastings of its prize-winning chardonnay, Riesling, pinot noir, and sauvignon blanc. September through May it's open Monday through Saturday from 10:30am to 5pm; June through August from noon until 4pm. Siefried Estate Vineyard and Restaurant, Main Road, Appleby, Richmond (tel. 03/544-1555; www.seifreid.co.nz), has a large restaurant and tasting room, open daily from 10am to 5pm. A winery tour and tasting is NZ$10 (US$7) per person, by appointment, Monday through Saturday. Dinner is available in the restaurant Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm; reservations are recommended.

Moutere Hills Vineyard, Eggers Road, Upper Moutere (tel./fax 03/543-2288; www.mouterehills.co.nz), serves beautifully presented light meals in its converted wool-shed winery, along with Riesling, sauvignon blanc, and chardonnay. It's open October 24 to Easter daily from 11am to 6pm.

Waimea Estates, 22 Appleby Hwy., Hope (tel. 03/544-6385; www.waimeaestates.co.nz), produce all the main wine types, and their cafe and cellar door are open in summer daily 11am to 5pm; in winter, Wednesday to Sunday until 4pm.

Especially for Kids

Give the kids their own time out at Nelson Fun Park (tel. 03/548-6267), adjacent to Tahunanui Beach, just a 5-minute drive from Central City. They can unwind on the hydroslide, play miniature golf, or have fun on bumper boats. Natureland Zoo (tel. 03/548-6166; www.naturelandzoo.co.nz) is also at Tahunanui Beach, open daily from 9:30am to 3:45pm. It gives children a chance to get up close to wallabies, meerkats, otters, monkeys, and exotic birds; it costs NZ$5 (US$3.55/£1.80) for adults and NZ$2 (US$1.40/70p) for children.

Touch the Sea Aquarium, 8 Aranui Rd., Mapua (tel./fax 03/540-3557; seatouch@tasman.net), is a charming little aquarium on Mapua Wharf. Kids get to put their hands in special tanks to discover the mysteries of sea urchins, starfish, and various shells and fish. It's worth the admission of around NZ$7 (US$5/£2.50) for adults, NZ$5 (US$3.55/£1.80) for children. There's also a playroom and an excellent gift store.

Six Times the Fun -- If you want to try a bit of everything and save money at the same time, check out combo deals with the Nelson Visitor Centre. If you invest in several activities, you'll pay far less, which is a big consideration when you're traveling with a family.