Napier is an easy city to enjoy as a family.
A lot of the best things to do are close together, especially around Marine Parade and the CBD, so you can mix free activities with paid attractions without spending half the day driving from place to place.
Whether you are here for a day, a weekend or the school holidays, here are some easy ideas.
Explore Marine Parade
Marine Parade is one of the easiest places to start.
You can walk or cycle along the waterfront, stop at the large playground, visit the gardens, wander out to the viewing platform, see Pania of the Reef, or simply enjoy the open space and sea views.
There is also a junior bike track and pump track, so it is very easy to spend a few hours here without needing to move the car.
Hire a bike and explore
There are bike-hire operators around Marine Parade and the central Napier waterfront with options to suit different types of riding, including electric bikes.
That makes it easy to enjoy a short ride along the waterfront or head further towards Ahuriri and the wider Hawke’s Bay Trails without needing to bring your own bikes.
Sunken Gardens
A lovely little stop on Marine Parade.
The gardens sit below road level and feel surprisingly peaceful considering they are right in the middle of the city.
There is a pond, water wheel and plenty of space to slow down for a while.
Bluff Hill Lookout
Bluff Hill – Mataruahou – gives you one of the best views over Napier, Hawke Bay and the Port.
You can walk up if everyone has plenty of energy, but for many families the easiest option is simply to drive to the lookout and enjoy the view.
It is a good stop to combine with Ahuriri or central Napier.
Anderson Park
A little further from the city centre, Anderson Park is a good option when the family wants more room to run around.
The playground and open park space make it easy to spend an hour or two there, especially if everyone needs a break from sightseeing.
Ahuriri & Westshore
Ahuriri is only a short drive or bike ride from central Napier and is an easy family outing in its own right.
There are waterfront paths, beach areas and places to stop and watch what is happening around the harbour.
Continue a little further to Westshore for open space, a picnic or some time beside the water.
Look for Napier’s murals
Turn exploring the city into a bit of a treasure hunt.
There are large-scale murals and pieces of street art around Napier, particularly around the CBD and waterfront.
It is a simple way to keep everyone looking around while you walk from one place to the next.
Walk the CBD
Central Napier is compact and easy to explore on foot.
Look up at the Art Deco buildings, find the Waving Lady on Emerson Street, wander through Clive Square, and see how many unusual architectural details you can spot along the way.
National Aquarium of New Zealand
One of Napier’s best-known family attractions.
The aquarium is a good indoor activity and a useful option if the weather changes, with marine life, native species and the large oceanarium tunnel among the highlights.
Ahuriri Estuary
If you want something quieter, head towards the Ahuriri Estuary.
It is a good place for a gentle walk, bird watching and a completely different side of Napier from the CBD and Marine Parade.
Explore the coast
Napier’s waterfront gives families plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sea, coastal views and open spaces.
Just remember that Marine Parade is a steep shingle beach and can have powerful surf, so it is better treated as a place to enjoy the coast - do not swim along Marine Parade. You can swim further round the coast near the carpark at Ahuriri.
Par2 Mini Golf
A classic family activity and very easy to combine with the rest of Marine Parade.
Because it sits among the waterfront attractions, you can simply add it into the day rather than making a special trip.
Bay Skate
A good option for anyone who likes wheels, ramps and a bit of action.
It is another activity that works well as part of a wider Marine Parade day.
Ocean Spa
Ocean Spa can work as a family activity at almost any time of day.
The heated outdoor pools and spa areas make it easy to spend a good chunk of the day there, especially when everyone wants a slower-paced break from sightseeing.
Before my daughter went away to university, we used to sit outside in the hot pools as the colours changed over the water at sunset, then stay on as the sky darkened and the stars came out.
It is a lovely way to finish a day in Napier.
MTG Hawke’s Bay
MTG is Napier’s regional museum and is conveniently located near the CBD and Marine Parade.
It is a good family stop, especially if the weather is not playing along.
One of the memorable parts is the earthquake-house experience in the Shockwave exhibition, which gives visitors a more immediate sense of the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake.
Faraday Museum of Technology
Faraday is one of those places families sometimes miss.
It is hands-on rather than simply “look but don’t touch”, with exhibits designed around discovering how technology worked and how it changed over time.
It is also a useful wet-weather option.
Timezone – Emerson Street
If everyone still has energy to burn, Timezone on Emerson Street is an easy indoor option right in the middle of the CBD.
With arcade and skill-based games, it is a handy stop when the weather turns, when you need a break from sightseeing, or simply when the family wants to do something completely different for a while.
Enigma Escape Rooms
For something a little different, Enigma Escape Rooms on Herschell Street offers puzzle and adventure experiences built around clues, teamwork and problem-solving.
There are indoor options as well as outdoor adventures that take you around the Napier CBD, so it can work as either a rainy-day activity or something a little different while exploring the city.
Take a Tour
If you would rather let someone else do the driving, there are local tour options that can show you more of Napier and Hawke’s Bay.
Avantogo offers private tours in a retro VW Kombi and even promotes a family scenic option, making it a fun way for a family group to see more of the region without organising every stop themselves.
Base yourself around Marine Parade
A lot of Napier’s family activities are concentrated along the waterfront.
You can combine the playgrounds, gardens, mini golf, aquarium, Bay Skate, Ocean Spa and walking or cycling without constantly getting back in the car.
Bring bikes or scooters if you have them
Marine Parade works particularly well for wheels because the area is relatively flat and open.
If you do not have bikes with you, there are hire options nearby.
Bluff Hill is easier by car for many families
The walk is rewarding, but it is steep.
If energy is limited, drive to the lookout and save the walking for the flatter CBD and waterfront.
Keep an indoor option in reserve
Napier is easy to enjoy outdoors, but it is useful to have a backup if the weather changes.
The Aquarium, MTG, Faraday Museum, Timezone and Enigma are all useful choices.
Allow more time than you think
Marine Parade is one of those places where you may plan to stop for one thing and end up doing three.
That is part of the fun.
If everyone starts asking for food, take a look at our separate Eat & Drink in Napier guide for cafés, lunch stops, sweet treats and places to eat while you are exploring.
EXPLORE EAT & DRINK IN NAPIER →This guide is deliberately simple and practical. We will keep adding family-friendly places, local tips and ideas as we think of them, so check back from time to time.
Discover NapierLocal walks, stories, places to see and useful ideas for making the most of your time in Napier.
Created locally by Adore Collection, Emerson Building, 93 Emerson Street, Napier.