Queen Street

A walk down this iconic street, which is the financial heart of New Zealand and borders its biggest University (the University of Auckalnd), is well worth the while.  Spend time on one the designer benches underneath the recently installed Nikau Palms along the raod and you can see a vast cross section of society including students, office workers, tourists, townies, out of towners passing through, homeless and affluent.  In recent years there has been a swell in the number of Asian students and migrants living in the central city contibuting to the diversity.

The street is essentially a corrider between places you would want to be going such as Downtown, the Viaduct, the university, Auckland Domain, Karangahape road (aka K road), the casino or shops within the city.  While there are plenty of shops and activities to empty your purse, there are just as many cheap and free things to do.

• Aotea Square, Aotea Centre and Town Hall -The square is a nice place to spend time in good weather and often has small markets and free performances (or just watch the skateborders injure themselves as entertainment).  The Aotea Centre is a performing arts venue but has recently undergone a makeover so if you can sneak it it is quite plush inside.  The nearby town hall is also quite picturesque.
• Japanese $3.50 Shop-Like a $2 shop but 100 times better.  If you have been to Japan and used the ¥100 of ¥99 shops then you will love this shop, if you haven't then this is a must see as its hard to leave without buying something http://www.3japan.co.nz/  
• Britomart Transport Hub-Nicely renovated historic building that acts as a train station and bus depot.  Check out the historic pics inside (why did they get rid of the Queen Street trams?) http://www.britomart.org/
• Borders Bookstore-Find a vacant seat and read a chapter or two from the latest best seller or your favourite magazine http://www.borders.co.nz/
• Central City Library-Check out the books, use the free wireless or just wander around http://www.aucklandcitylibraries.com/aboutthelibraries/locationsandhours/centralcitylibrary.aspx
• Albert Park-Nice Central city park that adjoins the University of Auckland, especially in summer and when full of students, big trees and grassy spots for a lie down.  For an adventenure see if you can find the entrances to the extensive but now closed Albert Park Tunnels that were built during WWII http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Park_tunnels
• The Sweetest Little Chocolate Shop-Located in Midcity this is a fabulous little chocolate shop but try the hot chocolates as they are out of this world http://www.thesweetestlittlechocolateshop.co.nz/
• Bongane Korean Restaurant-Just off Queen Street on Mayoral drive, for this price you are not going get food as good and healthy anywhere else in the city.
• Skycity Cinema Queen Street-Probably not the best cinematic experience in the world but check out the cinema complex from the inside as it is spectacular http://www.eventcinemas.co.nz/.  Right outside the cinema I would recommend New Zealand's own Burgerfuel for a nice burger or Giapo for a Gelato Ice Cream
• Vulcan Lane-Great place for a beer or pot of mussels
• Queens Arcade at the bottom of Queen Street is worth a stroll
• The Ferry Building right at the bottom of the street is another historic/picturesque building and there is a fabulous Gelato shop underneath called Valentino’s Gelato.