Things to Do in Cuba Street, Te Aro and Parliament
Coffee, craft beer and the seat of government, all within walking distance.
See top-rated activities »About Cuba Street
Cuba Street is the heart of Wellington's creative side. Its pedestrian mall, marked by the splashing Bucket Fountain, runs south from Manners Street into the Te Aro neighborhood, lined with cafes, secondhand bookshops, vintage clothing stores, bars and restaurants from almost every cuisine, and side lanes covered in street art. It is busy late into the night on weekends, and every March the CubaDupa street festival takes over the whole quarter.
Wellingtonians take coffee seriously, and the city claims more cafes per head than New York. Craft beer is just as central: brewers such as Garage Project, which started in a former petrol station in Aro Valley, put Wellington at the center of New Zealand's beer scene, and taprooms and specialist bars are scattered through Te Aro. Guided food, coffee and beer walks are an easy way to sample both.
At the north end of the city, the government district has New Zealand's most recognizable buildings. The Beehive, the round executive wing of Parliament, sits beside the classical Parliament House and the Gothic Parliamentary Library, and free guided tours of the complex run daily, with a chance to watch debates from the public gallery when the House is sitting. Nearby, Old St Paul's is a wooden Gothic Revival church from 1866 with a beautiful timber interior, and the National Library and Archives display New Zealand's founding documents, including the Treaty of Waitangi, in the He Tohu exhibition.
Lambton Quay, the main shopping street, links the two areas and follows what was the shoreline before an 1855 earthquake lifted the land and reclamation pushed the harbor back.
Don’t Miss
Cafes, vintage stores, bars and street art around the Bucket Fountain.
Free daily guided tours of the Beehive, Parliament House and Library.
An 1866 timber Gothic church with a striking native wood interior.
The Treaty of Waitangi and other founding documents on permanent display.
The taproom of one of New Zealand's best-known craft breweries.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Cuba Street
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 31, 2026. Wellington Travel may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Cuba Street — FAQ
Can you tour the Beehive?
Yes. Free guided tours of the Parliament buildings, including the Beehive, leave from the visitor center most days. Bring photo ID, and expect a security check.
Where can I see the Treaty of Waitangi?
The original sheets are displayed at the He Tohu exhibition in the National Library on Molesworth Street, free to visit.
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