What To Do On A Rainy Day In George…
Tired of being inside, feeling blue with nothing to do… Don’t let the weather stop you from having a fun filled day in our beautiful town….
Your first visit should be George Tourism Bureau to ensure you have all the right maps and brochures to make the most of your rainy day explorations. The Tourism Building was the original Library of George.
Address: 124 York Street, George, 6530
Tel No.: 044 – 801 9299
E-mail: reservations@george.org.za
Website : www.visitgeorge.co.za
Across the road, visit the George Arts Theatre, built in 1905 as the first girl’s school in George. In 1968 it was bought by the Society for the Arts and converted into a Theatre. The first production was held there in 1969. A weekly events calendar for performances is available at the Arts Theatre.
Address: 125 York Street, George, 6530
Tel No.: 044 – 874 3142
E-mail: artstheatre@telkomsa.net
Website: www.georgeartstheatre.co.za
The George Cultural History Museum in Courtenay Street was originally the old Drostdy, built in 1811 and rebuilt in 1826 after being damaged by fire. It became the Victoria Hotel in 1890 and was acquired for a museum in 1972. The Museum showcases George’s forestry roots, and also has exhibitions of the old State President, PW Botha, long time resident of Wilderness, and an exquisite collection of fairy paintings.
Address: Courtenay Street, George
Tel No.: 044 – 873 5343
Just behind the museum you will find the George Library, with its quiet atmosphere and large rooms, just the place to spend the day browsing through books. On a rainy day it might be better to just take out a book, go home and jump right back into bed.
Address: Caledon Street, Camphersdrift, George, 6530
Tel No.: 044 801 9292 / 801 9289 / 801 9288 / 801 9291 (desk) 801 9290 (workroom)
E-mail: sharaub@hotmail.com
You can also visit the Blue Forest Bookshop for a relaxing atmosphere for reading.
Address: Market Street, George, 6530
Tel No.: 076 796 5327.
Further down Courtenay Street towards Knysna, visit the Dutch Reformed Church with its superb yellowwood pillars, dome and stunning stinkwood pulpit.
Address: Cnr of Courtenay and Church Street, George, 6530
Tel No.: 044 871 1338
E-mail: ngmoeder@mweb.co.za
Website: www.caw.org.za
Once you have started with the churches, extend your visit to St Mark’s Cathedral which was designed by Sophia Grey, the bishop’s wife. It contains beautiful stained glass windows, and is the reason that George can call itself a city.
Address: Cnr of Courtenay and Church Street, George, 6530
Tel No.: 044-873 3239
Your trip will never be complete without a visit to St Peter and St Paul – the oldest existing Roman Catholic Church in South Africa.
Address: 116 Meade Street, George, 6530
Tel No.: 044 873 2626
The Transnet Heritage Railway Museum, which has just celebrated the centenary of the opening of the railway line between George and Mossel Bay, is a must. A replica of the first locomotive, the Class 1007 7A, as well as many others of the same era are on show. There is also a photographic exhibition of the building of the railway line, as well as the inaugural trip to George and the official opening of the line.
Address: 2 Mission Street, George, 6530
Tel No.: 044 801 8243
E-mail: Kobus.Volschenk@transnet.net
Website: www.outeniquachootjoe.co.za
For a fun filled day of shopping, head on to the Garden Route Mall on Knysna road and browse through a variety of interesting shops and shop till you drop. If shopping is not for you, the movies might be the answer. Pop in at the Ster Kinekor and enjoy one of the latest movies playing or just relax at one of the many restaurants in the food court.
Address: Knysna Road (N2), George, 6530
Tel No.: 044 887 0044
E-mail: marketing@gardenroutemall.co.za
Website: www.gardenroutemall.co.za
George has a palette of different Art Galleries and 21 on Montagu in Blanco has magnificent art on display. They are also stockists of Chinese furniture, artefacts, Persian carpets, ceramics and sculptures by some of the finest painters in the Cape.
Address: 21 Montagu Street, Blanco, George, 6530
Tel No.: 044 870 8190
E-mail: sally@21montagu.co.za
Website: www.21montagu.co.za
Other art galleries include:
Strydom Gallery at 79 Market Street, George, 6530, Tel No.: 044 874 4028
Dirk van Wyk Art Studio in Wellington Street, Denneoord, George, 6530, Tel No.: (044) 874 4929
Cape Palette at the cnr of Witfontein and Pine Road, Heather Park 044 870 8781.
Leila’s Arms Farm Eatery is an eatery with a difference. Here you will get served a delicious home cooked lunch in front of the fireplace with vegetables, grown on its permaculture project. The owners also has an earthen building where students learn to make cob houses.
Address: Witfontein Road, Blanco, George, 6530
Tel No.: 044 870 0292
E-mail: eat@leilas.co.za
Website: www.leilas.co.za
For the restaurant and coffee fanatic the wonderful culinary experiences at various top restaurants and coffee shops in town offers cuisine for every taste imaginable, from traditional South African dishes to exotic foods including Chinese, Italian, Taiwanese, Turkish and many more.
For the more adventurous at heart visit Lets go Bowling at Mount View Resort and Lifestyle Village. Here you can have a fun filled day or night surrounded by a bowling alley, coffee shop, bar and pool tables.
Address: York Street, George, 6530
Tel No.: 044 873 2250
E-mail: george@letsgobowling.co.za
Website : www.mountviewsa.co.za
Whatever the weather, George will fill your rainy day with something to do…
(Information courtesy of George Tourism)