List of top things to do in Braamfontein while you visit.
Due to its setting on the outskirts of the inner city of Johannesburg and its closeness to two significant institutions, Braamfontein is one of the city’s hotspots for fashion and culture. Braamfontein, which is dotted with pubs, eateries, apparel stores, and high-rise student housing, is where locals and visitors go on the weekends to see, be seen, and party. It is one of the best places in South Africa to visit and explore alone or with the family. If you are making any travel plans to visit South Africa, it will be best to add Braamfontein to your bucket list and you won’t regret it.
There are plenty of things to do in Braamfontein while you visit. it can never be boring in that city. And it is most active and fun during weekends. If you are looking to blend in, just put on your hippest African-print outfit and join the locals to have fun. if you are convinced to add Braamfontein to your bucket list then I have you covered.
In this article, Mrpocu.com will give you a list of things to do in Braamfontein, Johannesburg for a memorable vacation. From top sightseeing to instagrammable locations, scroll down as you plan your trip.
Things To Do In Braamfontein
Visit The Wits Art Museum
You can explore and celebrate Africa’s distinctive heritage there while also learning about a vast collection of African art. The largest and most significant collection of African art in southern Africa may be seen in the Wits Art Museum, which opened in May 2012. With the majority of the pieces coming from the 20th and 21st centuries, the current collection contains over 9000 items that span the fields of historical, classical and contemporary artworks. It also exhibits an uncommon breadth, geographic range, and local specialization.
In addition to paintings by Gladys Mgudlandlu, Walter Battiss, Maggie Laubser, and Irma Stern, the historical South African art collection also includes pencil sketches by Gerard Sekoto and JH Pierneef, bronze sculptures by Edoardo Villa and Sydney Kumalo, watercolours by Durant Sihlali, and linocuts by John Muafangejo and Azaria Mbatha, to name a few. The museum houses a sizable collection of historical African artefacts from Southern, West, and Central Africa as well as a more modest collection from East Africa. Enjoy perusing the exhibitions of drums, ceremonial and fighting sticks, fabrics, wirework, beading, masks, and wooden sculptures.
The collections of modern South African art include photographs, prints, sculptures, new media, oil and watercolour paintings, and sketches. William Kentridge, Alan Crump, Santu Mofokeng, Robert Hodgins, Kendell Geers, Penny Siopis, and Willem Boshoff are just a few of the many artists who are represented. Artists like Gabrielle Goliath, Nandipha Mntambo, Sandile Zulu, Gerhard Marx, Anthea Moys, and Zander Blom serve as representatives of the younger generation. After exploring the numerous African art displays, unwind at the café with a drink and a snack while keeping an eye on the future events and exhibitions for your next visit.
See Johannesburg Planetarium
The Johannesburg Planetarium honours the unfathomable size of the universe and its stars and invites guests to share in its glimmering wonder. This fantastic destination is often referred to as the Wits Planetarium because it is owned by the University of the Witwatersrand. The 1960 construction of this planetarium still sees tens of thousands of visitors each year. Children adore exploring the planetarium and discovering the Milky Way, constellations, other galaxies, specific stars, the motion of the moon, and how effortlessly the earth fits into it all.
Visitors are invited to sit back and be amazed by the magnificent display put on above them as the “sky” lights up with millions of stars during the regular shows. The shows, which are intended for both the general public and schoolchildren and groups, typically last an hour and transport viewers and young minds into a breathtaking universe that reveals some of the universe’s mysteries, its immense size, and the silent choreography that is performed millions of light years away.
The staff members have in-depth expertise and are able to answer some difficult inquiries regarding stars, planets, and the universe as well as provides additional information and intuitive insights.
Explore Neighbourgoods Market
The Joburg Neighbourgoods Market, a branch of the well-known Cape Town market of the same name, is held every Saturday morning in a two-story parking garage in Braamfontein. Although the market is crowded with food and clothing vendors, students prefer alcoholic drinks, which they consume on the rooftop of the garage until well after noon. Visiting the market is one of the best things to do in Braamfontein.
Visit the Origins Centre
Visit Wits’ Origins Center to learn more about your ancestry. This is South Africa’s newest historical site, one of the best educational facilities, and the location of the world’s largest collection of Khoi San rock art. It’s also a place where you may learn about the African beginnings of people and get a glimpse into their intriguing world. It takes at least two hours to “Explore your Origins.”
Visitors to the Origins Center can view the earliest human image ever discovered, which was created in South Africa, travel through time 80,000 years to the present in search of the art and culture that have inspired and motivated people to pursue innovation and modernity, and trace their genetic make-up using DNA to learn more about who they really are. The typical museum visit lasts 90 to 2 hours, but for the dedicated, there is an unmatched (and ever-expanding) array of additional multimedia content on the history of Africa. Six language audio guides are included in the cost of admission and are available in Zulu, Sotho, English, Afrikaans, French, and German.
Gallery Experience At Afronova
Henri Vergon founded the Pan African modern and contemporary art gallery known as Afronova. The chic gallery space adds to the city’s multicultural atmosphere and is situated in Braamfontein, the centre of Johannesburg. Afronova represents artists and organizes exhibitions of modern and contemporary art from the African continent. The gallery features a specialist bookshop with a selection of national and international works of African art.
Afronova also presents films, performances, and happenings with a distinctive Pan-African flair on the historic square in addition to its exhibition schedule. Additionally, Afronova creates a network of foreign residencies and supports artists’ participation in important African cultural events like the Dakar Biennale of Contemporary Art and the Bamako Biennale of African Photography.
Braamfontein Spruit Hiking Trail
You won’t need to hire a babysitter while hiking the Braamfontein Spruit Trail because kids can use it. This 9-kilometre track follows the Braamfontein Spruit, one of the major sources of the Limpopo River and a major drainage system for northern areas of Johannesburg (something to entertain the kids with if they start to get bored). Park close to the Field and Study Centre and start the 100-meter descent to the river bank by foot. Then you’ll use a weir to cross the river. Please take note that it is preferable to park at the Pick n Pay on William Nichol Drive and start the trek from there if the river is flowing strongly. Once on the path, you proceed north along the river bank past a few rock pools and scattered blue gum trees.
This is one of the most picturesque parts of the river, and it is full of trees, birds, and other animals. The trail can be stopped at Witkoppen Road, but you must be met there with a car; if you don’t have this convenience, you must go back the way you came.
Artivist/Untitled Basement
The Artivist is a great place to go for a classy evening out. Regular art exhibits are held in this upscale cocktail bar, with a particular emphasis on works by artists from the African diaspora. The Artivist also has a great menu with meals with African influences. Legendary late-night jazz performances and private events are held downstairs in the “Untitled Basement,” which is both physically and symbolically underground. Enjoying music at the basement is one of the best things to do in Braamfontein.
99 Juta Street
99 Juta, a home design and retail centre anchored by Joe Paine and Dokter and Misses, is housed in a striking pink and green building a few blocks east of the Neighbourgoods Market. Whether you’re looking for furniture for your home or not, 99 Juta is worth a visit because of its exquisitely designed stores. In its well-known pink courtyard, 99 Juta often holds exhibitions, workshops, and other activities.
Black Forest Bakery
The Black Forest Bakery is located directly across the street from 99 Juta and is one of Braamfontein’s best-kept secrets. The Black Forest is a family-run business that sells cheap, authentic German bread and pastries. This is one of the best places in the city to get a sumptuous, carb-heavy breakfast, so don’t let the modest, dusty shopfront (which is easy to miss) turn you away. You must try the yeasty, salty German pretzels.
City Sightseeing Joburg & Soweto
Red City Tour & Soweto Combo Tour on red double-decker buses travel along an amazing circular itinerary throughout Johannesburg and the surrounding areas as part of City Sightseeing Joburg and Soweto. This thrilling Hop-On, Hop-Off tour gives you a brand-new viewpoint on the vivacious and diverse City of Gold and is available every day of the week starting at 9:00 a.m. Locals and visitors of all ages can hop on and hop off at 11 distinctive bus stop points with easy access to the red bus at Gautrain Park Station, including the Roof of Africa at the Carlton Centre, Gandhi Square, the James Hall Transport Museum, the Apartheid Museum and Gold Reef City, the Mining District, the World of Beer, Newtown Precinct, Origins Centre at Wits, Braamfontein, and Constitution Hill.
This wildly popular hop-on, hop-off tour gives tourists the freedom to alight at any of the stops along the way and then board a subsequent bus at their convenience, ensuring regular, secure, and enjoyable transportation. Additionally, buses offer an entertaining kids channel in addition to an educational onboard commentary that explains all the sites and is available in 16 different languages. The bus tour is one of the best things to do in Braamfontein with the family.
See Joburg Theatre
Africa’s top venue for live entertainment, The Joburg Theatre presents top-notch theatre from around the world and domestically. With three theatres, a News Café, eight function rooms for private dining or business functions, dance studios, and Space (a facility within the theatre complex for the achievement of community development goals), the Joburg Theatre is a thrilling, active location from early in the morning until late at night.
Theatregoers have a variety of options at Joburg Theatre, including everything from traditional ballet to comedy, drama and pantomime, small-scale solo performances to large ensemble plays, as well as shows tailored specifically for children. Furthermore, it offers room and chances for artists like actors, musicians, authors, directors, designers, and technicians to hone their craft in a setting that is also profitable for business. The two dance studios at the Johannesburg Theatre are used on a long-term basis by the South African Ballet Theatre. Dancers can be seen practising in the studios, which are stacked one on top of the other and face Simmonds Street to the south.
JFF Rooftop Farm
The JFF Rooftop Farm is an example of urban gardening at its finest, hidden on top of a building close to the enormous, recognizable Nelson Mandela mural created by American street artist Shepard Fairey. JFF (Jozi Food Farmer), a public nursery and tea garden that is accessible by ladder, offers a free gardening talk every Tuesday at 4 pm and a monthly night plant market. Both edible and ornamental plants, as well as a range of herbal teas, are available for purchase at the farm.
The Orbit
The Orbit is the newest hotspot in Braamfontein, and I hope it stays open for a while so we can all enjoy it. They present live jazz performances including some of South Africa’s top jazz musicians. They have entertained people like Judith Sephuma, Thandi Ntuli, and Sipho Hotstix Mabuse. Additionally, they host poetry readings, comedy, and jazz events featuring well-known comic Kagiso Lediga. This coveted location is a haven for the highest levels of musical expression and creativity. Examine the monthly schedule; it’s preferable to make reservations in advance.
Great Dane
Terrific Dane, also referred to as “the bar with the floor carpeted with five-cent coins,” is a great spot for drinks if you want to go out with friends. They provide a few delectable appetizers, so it’s ideal for beverages rather than lunch or other substantial meals. They host Friday braai sessions known as Braamfontein, and they provide a great follow-up to the 3 o’clock closing of the Neighbourgoods market. On Saturdays, Great Dane is especially accepting of LGBT people. It is located at 5 De Beer Street and is open from 12 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays.
Maboneng Precinct on a Sunday
The Maboneng Precinct’s Arts on the Main market is open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and sells a range of locally made goods, including bags, food, and clothing. It’s a terrific spot to enjoy a youthful, laid-back atmosphere or to support regional designers and artists. There are other restaurants around that serve beverages and host occasional live entertainment. It’s in Newtown, just over the bridge from Braamfontein, but you can get there with public transportation, and it’s well worth it. In my opinion, this location is crucial to the Braamfontein experience.