The Best Things to do in Nelson in 48 Hours

Begin your day in Nelson in the beautiful, light-filled space of Hardy St Eatery. All of your senses will be taken care of here. Expect a hard-to-beat brunch menu filled with house-made sourdoughs, preserves and self-smoked fish, alongside a perfectly crafted coffee or mimosa to celebrate the start of your mini-holiday.

If you happen to find yourself in town on a Saturday, then a visit to the famous Nelson Market is a must. An ensemble of multi-coloured tents covers Montgomery Square once a week, displaying the best produce, crafts and art from the wider Nelson Tasman region.

Once you’ve taken in all the wonderful arts and crafts at the market, it’s time to continue on an art trail and dive deep into the pulsating heart of Nelson’s creative scene. 

Zigzag your way up towards Trafalgar Square, where you’ll find the extravagant flamedaisy glass design gallery and studio. Everything here is hand-blown by artist Anthony Genet, and no two pieces are alike. Take in the stunning colours and forms, from drinking vessels to huge neon light art.  During the summer, you might get lucky and catch glassblowing in action.

Next in line is a weave back to Hardy St towards the marvellous celebration of ceramics at Hot Clay - Kiln Gallery. Hand-built and wheel-thrown pieces, from vases to artworks and beautifully made quotidian necessities such as bowls and cups, adorn the shelves and tables in this modest gallery. On top of clay-made objects, Kiln Gallery also exhibits paintings, wood and metal works, jewellery and stone art.

Last, but not least, the final destination of this little art tour is located a couple of blocks further towards the Maitai River. Parker Gallery represents the best original art works by local Nelson Tasman and New Zealand artists. A mix of mediums such as original paintings, sculpture, ceramics and glass can be appreciated here.

By now, you’ve surely worked off that delicious breakfast, and it’s time to refuel again. Since you’re already close to the river, jump on the Maitai River walkway and enjoy a touch of nature within the city centre as you make your way towards Bobby Franks café (cross over at Collingwood St or make it a longer walk by strolling all the way to Bridge St).

At Bobby Franks, you’ll find yourself among locals sipping a cuppa or stopping by for grab-and-go food; it’s a great spot for people-watching and delicious kai. An all-day brunch menu offers café classics with a twist, and coffee is brewed with self-roasted Soul Arch beans.

After lunch, it’s back to the business of art appreciation. Return towards the river and make your way past Queen’s Gardens to Suter Art Gallery. One of the oldest galleries in Aotearoa, the original 19th-century building was architecturally added onto in 2016, and it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the structure itself. A contemporary gallery, theatre, education space, café and store, there is much to discover at the Suter.

Reward yourself after all that art appreciation and indulge in a bit of retail therapy at some of the best shopping spots in Nelson.

A one-stop-shop for all your personal hygiene needs, Global Soap is all about products that are kind to the earth as well as your skin.  Everything on display has been hand-made on the premises by the owner-operators, so on top of buying sustainably, you’ll also be supporting a small family business while adding a touch of style to your bathroom.

For serious fashion lovers, Palm Boutique is a must-visit while in town. The store boasts a wide selection of home-grown New Zealand labels and carefully selected international brands. Although it sits neatly in the high-end scale of the fashion world, there are items for various budgets in-store too.

Down a little hidden alleyway, you’ll find Trouble and Fox Boutique – a petite fashion shop filled with tastefully curated apparel for women and men. The store supports New Zealand labels such as Ruby and ThingThing, and spices things up with international brands, including Paloma Wool, Assembly Label, and Veja.

Perhaps a bit of a tidy-up of the ol’ mop is at hand, or maybe your boyfriend’s beard is getting a tad shabby – if so, point your nose to the famous Stormy’s Man Cave.

Located up a few steep steps on the edge of Montgomery Square (yes, where you started in the morning at the market), Stormy’s delivers the best cuts and hot lather straight-blade shaves in downtown Nelson. Even if you’re not after a cut, it’s worth poking your nose in to appreciate this unique space and browse through the shaving supplies and beard oils available for purchase.

Now that you’re looking all spick and span, it’s time for a craft beer and a flick through some LPs. The Free House is a favourite after-work-beer-spot for Nelsonians. Choose from a huge variety of craft beers, and find a place along one of the many beer garden tables outside to soak in the atmosphere. In the beer garden, you’ll also find Family Jewels Records, a specialty record store where vinyl enthusiasts are sure to discover a find or two.

Surely it’s time to eat again — you’re on holiday after all! Sit down for dinner at the wonderful Arden. Whether you’re starving or after just a little something to fill in a gap, you’ll find just the right size of meal from the food menu. Accompany your dinner of choice, with a local drop of wine and your taste buds will thank you once more.

Wrap up the day with a nightcap at Kismet. This world-class cocktail and whisky bar will transport you to a bygone era of class and sophistication. Expect bespoke drinks, graceful service and comfy nooks to settle in for the rest of the evening.

Find a table at this family-run café that draws inspiration for its fare from time spent working in restaurants in Texas. Choose something from the brunch to get you goin for the day and recharge with great coffee. Try the buttermilk pancakes or scrambled tofu tostada. Deville’s menu changes with the seasons and the availability of fresh produce from the Nelson Market, so there will often be something new to sample.

Moutere is known as home to a bunch of creative and productive people. Drive along the main highway and you can’t miss signs pointing you to workshops and galleries, artisan food makers (think cheeses, sausages and the like) and various wineries. A map of all that’s waiting to be discovered in this area, is available on the Moutere Artisans website.

A true kiwi pub in all its glory, The Moutere Inn is the oldest pub in New Zealand and proud of its history. Find a great selection of craft beer and local Tasman wines, unpretentious gastro pub fare and stunning valley views in this special establishment.

The Tasman area is known for real fruit ice cream and it would be a crime to leave without sampling some. The iconic T.O.A.D Hall back in Motueka is the perfect spot to grab your soft serve fix. Choose from a number of fresh fruits and berries to go with either ice cream, frozen yoghurt or coconut ice cream, for that perfect post-lunch hit of sweetness.

The Tasman region is home to a large number of artists, and what better way to experience the creativity here than by visiting a collective workshop and gallery? Zappekin Artists and Allies is a group of local creatives who have set up shop in an ex-apple-packing shed on the edge of the Moutere Inlet. Watch the artists at work and amble through the gallery and shop space.

Wander around the Māpua Wharf and stumble across curious stores, cafés and restaurants while taking in some glorious views across the Waimea Estuary. Find a new hat to keep sun-safe from Serious Straws Hat Shop, appreciate more local art at Coolstore Gallery and pop into The Smokehouse for some self-smoked fish or premier fish n chips.

Finish off your visit to Māpua with a craft brew at Golden Bear Brewing Company. Housed in a refurbished ex-apple-crate-shed (yes, this part of the country is big on apples) the state of the art brewery produces beer solely for sale at their premises. Try a California Pale, IPA or a New England Hazy for a taste of something a little different.

Back in Motueka, a true American BBQ style dinner awaits you at The Smoking Barrel. This cosy restaurant serves home-smoked meat and statement burgers. It’s safe to say you won’t leave this restaurant hungry, except perhaps, hungry for another visit on another day.