Where to stay

Wellington's major sights are clustered near the Central Business District, set back from the harbor, where a wide range of places to stay are also located. A visit to the award-winning Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa here is essential. Exhibits cover New Zealand's art, culture, and geology alongside the islands' rich Maori heritage. To learn more about the city's history, a visit to the Wellington Museum is also interesting. Rooms in the central suburb of Thorndon, slightly north, are worth considering for their proximity to New Zealand's Parliament and the city's Westpac Stadium. Movie buffs might want to look at hotels farther away in the beach suburb of Miramar southeast of the city center, where Peter Jackson's Weta Workshop studio is open for tours.

The central neighborhood of Te Aro is one of Wellington's most active spots for dining. Book a sleek modern hotel to be close to some of the city's coolest bars and most inventive restaurants. Given Wellington's coastal location, fresh seafood is particularly good; plenty of establishments make it their specialty. Aro Valley is a suburb extending to the west. Although a generally quieter place to stay, it has a good range of local cafés and a couple notable taverns. Those who are happy to base themselves farther out of the city should consider a hotel in Newtown to be near more eclectic dining options, everything from authentic pho and ramen to some of the region's best vegan menus.

Even in the center of Wellington, nature is never far away. The region's famous Mount Victoria Lookout is just on the edge of the city center. Those in search of places to stay close to green space should consider hotels near here, as well as on the opposite side of the central business district in Thorndon, where the sprawling Botanic Garden is less than a 30-minute walk from the waterfront. For more active pursuits, book accommodations in Oriental Bay, a seafront suburb just to the east with a swimming beach and great bicycle paths. Surfers should head farther away and consider booking a room in Lyall Bay, renowned as one of the best spots near the city to catch a few waves.