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This is Cape Town, a vibrant wonderland filled with spectacular views, good vibes and activities galore.

Whether you’re a visitor looking to soak up all that the Mother City has to offer or a born-and-bred Capetonian who’s never left, it’s always a good idea to explore new experiences in this ever-evolving city.

Also read: Cape Town ranked 2nd best African destination for solo travellers

You might end up stumbling upon a new favourite go-to spot. So, grab the kids, a friend or five or your loved ones and try something fun.

Here are 5 different experiences to try out this week: 

Indulge in a gin-tasting experience at Makers Landing

Tucked away in the Silo District of Cape Town Harbour, a father with over 40 years of distilling technology experience and his ‘stubborn’ son are pushing the boundary between tradition and modernity when it comes to spirits.

Priding themselves on finding fresh ways of creating and introducing people to hand-crafted, quality, modern spirits using locally built equipment and cutting-edge chemical engineering principles, the bespoke craft distillery believes in ‘starting traditions, not following them’.

While deeply appreciating traditional methods and the history of distillation, Pienaar & Son Distilling Co firmly believes that ‘older’ does not necessarily mean ‘better’. In melding the history, art and science of spirits, a unique and unmatched gin experience is born.

Not sure if you agree? Why not test it out by sampling three of their hand-crafted gins in an artisanal gin-tasting experience for two?

  • Deal: Three samples of Empire Gin, Orient Gin and Ugly Gin
  • Cost: Price exclusive to Cape {town} Etc readers is R120 | Normal price is R160
  • Location: G12, Makers Landing, Cape Town Cruise Terminal, V&A Waterfront
  • Times: Thursday, 10am to 5pm | Friday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm
Picture: Pienaar & Son Distilling Co / Facebook

Snuggle up with a drive-in movie experience 

Situated in an enclosed open-air lot between Woodstock and Salt River, GoDriveIn Roadhouse and Movies is the perfect place to gather the kids for a fun night out, get cosy with your best buddies or slip away for a romantic date night with your significant other.

With a capacity of around 50 cars, this nostalgic experience offers a wide range of movies from timeless classics to new releases and blockbuster films every Friday and Saturday of the month, screened on a 9-metre screen for you to enjoy from the comfort of your car (front or boot).

After coming early to secure your ideal movie-watching spot, play some retro arcade games, shoot some pool or dig into greasy treats from the halaal-friendly roadhouse, El Greeyo before gathering your movie snacks at the snack hut (you can WhatsApp to have your orders delivered directly to your car) .

If you’re keen on a movie this week, The Neverending Story will be showing on Friday, 23 June, and Beetlejuice on Saturday, 24 June.

You can check out film lineups here.

  • Deal: A drive-in movie experience for a car of up to five people
  • Cost: Price exclusive to Cape {town} Etc readers is R175 | Normal price is R250
  • Location: 346B Victoria Road, Salt River
  • Times: Every Friday and Saturday | Doors open at 6pm, movie starts at 7pm
Picture: Go Drive In – Movie Theatre / Facebook

Get lost in a digital dimension at Sense Virtual

Experience an incredibly immersive gaming experience as you explore lifelike graphics and animations at one of Sense Virtual’s six VR stations that’ll transport you to other dimensions.

Using cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) technology and hyper-realistic environments, Sense Virtual allows you to bid farewell to the stressors of day-to-day life and let loose in new adventures. Or feel completely at ease dropping the kids off in a child-friendly setting as you finish up some errands or indulge in some downtime.

VR gaming has exploded in popularity over the past few years, with a constant stream of new gaming experiences on offer. From music-based games like the popular Beat Saber, adrenaline-pumping fighting games like Creed and slice-of-life games like Vacation Simulator to fantasy-based and jump-scaring classics, there is a game for everyone, no matter the age.

Please note that Sense Virtual works on a rotation system, so no booking is needed. However, if all stations are full you may have to wait a short while for your turn.

  • Deal: A 30-minute Virtual Reality gaming experience for one
  • Cost: Price exclusive to Cape {town} Etc readers is R93 | Normal price is R155
  • Location: Shop G2, The Regent, 19 to 33 Regent Road, Sea Point
  • Times: Tuesday to Thursday, 11am to 5pm | Friday, 11am to 6pm | Saturday, 10am to 6pm | Sunday, 10am to 5pm
Picture: SenseVirtual – Virtual Reality & Gaming Arcade / Facebook

Explore the Mother City’s top attractions

There’s no denying that Cape Town has an extensive list of must-visit attractions, but sometimes time and budget constraints make it difficult to take full advantage of all that the Mother City has to offer.

That’s where a Promo Pass from SmartPass Cape Town comes to the rescue.

A Promo Pass provides you the opportunity to enjoy the city and offers all-inclusive sightseeing packages in a flexible and seamless manner, while saving you time and money too.

The packages are available in 2-, 3- and 5-day increments and include free admission to a selection of Cape Town’s top attractions and museums.

List of available attractions:

  • Castle of Good Hope Museum
  • Diamond Museum
  • District Six Museum
  • Drakenstein Lion Park
  • Eagle Encounters
  • Groot Constantia Wine Estate
  • Le Bonheur Reptiles & Adventures
  • South African Museum

Valid for three months from the first use, this Promo Pass allows you to split up your pass days and use them as you choose.

Full attraction details can be seen in the WishTrip Mobile App by saving ‘Cape Town & beyond’ as a favourite

Picture: @smartpasscapetown / Instagram

Take to the sky with a paragliding experience

The winter sun is rumoured to make a brief appearance this week after the heavy rainfall these past few days. What better way to make the most of the rainless skies than soaring through them with a thrilling tandem paragliding experience, courtesy of Square1Paragliding?

Cape Town boasts natural beauty, from glistening beaches to majestic mountains. While ground-level views of the Mother City are spectacular enough, the most exhilarating way to admire its beauty is undoubtedly from a bird’s-eye view.

Taking off from Signal Hill, the exceptional team at Square1Paragliding goes above and beyond to ensure your safety and comfort throughout your experience (its safety record speaks for itself), so there’s nothing to fear, except the fear of missing out on an unforgettable experience.

Everything you need to know: 

  • Weight allowance for tandem paragliding ranges between 25kg and 120kg
  • Minimum age allowed to participate is 14 years. Youth between the ages of 14 to 17 can participate with parent/guardian consent.
  • Please arrive 15 to 20 minutes before booking time.
  • Paragliding is weather dependent and may be postponed in the event of less-than-ideal weather conditions.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and bring a warm jacket, just in case.

Ready, set, glide!

Picture: Square1Paragliding / Facebook

Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under 100K. Find car listings here.

Also read:

10 activities to explore in Cape Town during the school holidays

Picture: @smartpasscapetown / Instagram

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