Botanic Gardens Playground

If you’re a Christchurch local, you already know the Botanic Gardens is where you end up on a Sunday when you can’t think of anything else to do — and honestly, it never gets old. The water feature keeps the kids entertained while you actually get to sit down somewhere shaded and decompress. There’s open grass everywhere, walking paths that meander past the pond, and enough mature trees that you’ll find a cool spot even in the middle of summer. Pack a proper picnic because the tables fill up fast on weekends — this place draws a crowd for good reason. Restrooms and parking are sorted too, which makes the whole trip that much easier.