Holiday Activities in Paarl
ShowMe’s Top Holiday Activities in the Winelands
This Boland town is known for its cold wet winters and although most of us just want to stay inside and go nowhere when the winter chill starts, there are times when you would like to get out of the house and do something different.
Paarl has many activities which you can enjoy in winter and still stay warm and dry. You don’t have to be a tourist to explore the many tourist attractions Paarl has to offer. Visiting some of these may make you appreciate our beautiful town and its surroundings even more!
Museums
One of the many things Paarl is known for is being the birth place of Afrikaans. The Taalmuseum will take you on a fascinating journey from the roots of Afrikaans to how it is spoken today and the many ways we celebrate the “taal”.
There is a fascinating interactive and audio visual display and guided tours are also available.
If you want to learn more about the history of our town, a visit to the Paarl Museum is a must.
The building was originally erected as a parsonage for the Dutch Reformed Congregation of Drakenstein in early 1700’s.
In 1939 they renovated the building and opened as the Huguenot Museum, later renamed as Paarl Museum in 1995.
They house a permanent collection of Cape Antiques (furniture, silver, etc.), artefacts, documents and photographs which reflect the rich cultural diversity and development of the town.
Cellar Tours
The best way to learn about the process of wine making is to take a cellar tour.
Probably the most well-known cellar tour in Paarl is at the KWV Emporium.
A specialised tour guide takes visitors through a barrel maturation cellar, then to the world-renowned Cathedral Cellar, and the Five Biggest Vats in the World under one roof.
The tour ends with an informal tasting of six products.
Interesting Tastings
Paarl is a foodie’s delight and has many tastings you can enjoy to savour the fantastic produce we have on offer.
Mellasat Vineyards is famous for it’s White Pinotage. Why not try this unique wine on one of Mellasat’s renowned wine tastings. Take in the view while you sip on some quality wine.
Perdeberg Cellar offers a marshmallow and wine pairing. Think rosewater, marmalade and honeycomb infused flavours coupled with crisp, chilled wine for a decadent taste adventure.
Enjoy a tasting of Rhebokskloof’s wines in their tasting room, where the experienced staff will lead a tutored tasting of the different Rhebokskloof wine ranges.
Spice Route Estate, has various tasting delights on offer. Try a beer and biltong tasting at Barley & Biltong. The water used in the beer is from a spring on the Paarl Mountain. If you are brave, try out the different Grappas produced by Wilderers Distillery.
An old favourite for tourists and locals alike is Fairview Wine and Cheese where you can taste and buy cheeses made from goat’s milk. Their deli also has a wide variety of delicacies and other locally sourced treats.
Art Galleries
The soul also needs nourishment, so why not feed it by visiting one of the art galleries in Paarl?
The KWV Sensorium combines art and wine where you can buy a glass of wine and walk through the gallery, tipple in hand. They even suggest which paintings could be enjoyed best with which wine.
Also situated at Spice Route Estate is the Red Hot Glass Studio. This is one of the few Venetian glass blowing studios in South Africa. At Red Hot Glass you can watch the fascinating process of molten glass being blown and formed into works of art. You can even see how glass is made from sand, so do enquire in advance which days they make glass to experience the whole process – from sand to glass masterpieces.
A visit to Gallery 88 in the Main Street or one of the other Art galleries in Paarl, which covers the whole range of Arts from Paintings to Ceramics, could be an interesting experience!
Theatre
For those culture vultures who prefer their cultural injection in the form of theatre, The Old Mill Theatre is for you!
They have weekly shows ranging from live bands and theatre productions to plays for children and acting workshops for adults and children.
The Bôrdienghuis in Wellington has similar shows and productions throughout the week and the weekend. See your favourite local band or stand-up comedian. They also have a cash bar and delicious meals on offer.
Art & Craft Classes
Why not try your hand at painting or sculpture this winter? Various local artists offer art classes for children and adults all year round.
Not only will you be able to express yourself creatively, but you’ll also make new friends while doing so.
During the holidays Articles Fine Arts & Crafts also offer Holiday Craft Classes at their shop.
Some Outdoor Fun
For those of you who are not afraid to brave the cold, croc cage diving at Le Bonheur Croc Farm continues throughout the winter. Look forward to a hot shower afterwards and then head over to Rapa Nui pizzeria where Carlos Oliveros will prepare your woodfired pizza the authentic Italian way. For a fun kiddies outing take them along for a pizza party. Le Bonheur croc farm now also offers snake shows every weekend.
Watch a video of the African Croc Dive Experience here.
Movies
Some movies are best experienced on a big screen. Minimax has the latest selection of blockbusters available on the big screen. Whether you are after a chick flick or in the mood for an adrenaline-pumping, action-packed movie, MiniMax Cine 1 and 2 has it all.
Half Price specials and Library Discounts are available. Grab some popcorn and enjoy the ride!
Escapetrix
Escapetrix offers live action “escape room” games, an explosive new worldwide trend, and are proud to be one of the very first in South Africa to do so. Their game rooms are fun, challenging and are filled with unique puzzles and riddles to give your inner sleuth a run for its money, before you “escape”. Or, to try and solve an ancient mystery. Or even an opportunity to be a hero and save the world from catastrophe! Keen observation skills, logic and teamwork will be the key to unlock the magic and mystery that awaits you at Escapetrix
Perhaps the book in front of the fireplace is all that you want to do when it is cold and miserable outside, but any of the above outings can be rounded off by visiting one of our fantastic restaurants in Paarl where there is a good chance that a crackling fire will await you! Enjoy it.
If the sun shines get out in the open – see ShowMe’s Top 12 Picnic Spots
Need to have a family outing? – see ShowMe’s 13 Family Activities in Paarl Winelands
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