A DAY ON THE SEA POINT PROMENADE

Alas! The last month of Cape Town summer is upon us. We think you should take advantage of it in real Mother City style with a trip to the revamped Sea Point Promenade.

Apart from views for days, there’s plenty for Mom, Dad and the little ones to do. Throw in the fact that it’s a cost-effective afternoon out, and … oh, was that the sound of you grabbing your car keys?

ALL ABOARD!
Tots plus choo-choo train equals pure delight. The Blue Train Park offers a wonderful round trip for wide-eyed pint-sized passengers, plus lovely views of Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Table Mountain for Mom and Dad (if you decide to squeeze in). The trip is only R15 pp, and the surrounding park includes a bike track, climbing rock, outdoor ice rink and jumping castle too.

HOLE IN ONE
Remember when there was nothing quite as engrossing as chasing that little coloured ball around with your putter? Give your kids a taste of good, old-fashioned, fresh-air fun with two 18-hole Putt-Putt courses (one is slightly more difficult than the other). R20 gets you a putter, ball and a scorecard.

GREEN POINT LIGHTHOUSE
Sneak a little history lesson into the kids’ day – we reckon they won’t mind, not when they’ve clambered to the top of this candy-striped lighthouse. Built in 1824, it’s the oldest lighthouse in SA and is still operational today! It’s open 10 am – 3 pm Monday to Friday, at R16 pp and R8 for kids under 12.

BE A-MAZED
Race your family to the centre of this hedge maze – and good luck getting out again! We’re not sure if its claim to being the third largest maze in the world is accurate or not, but what we can guarantee is plenty of fun inside! Entrance is R20 pp.

SPLISH, SPLASH
The recently revamped Sea Point Swimming Pool gets our vote for the most picturesque spot to take a dip in Cape Town. The complex is home to an Olympic-sized swimming pool, two kiddies’ splash pools and a springboard diving pool. There are changing rooms, showers and lockers too, making it easy for a mid-afternoon dip before you explore the rest of the Promenade. Entrance is R21 for adults and R10.50 for children.

WIDE, OPEN SPACES
Of course, the beauty of the Sea Point Prom is that even without a maze or lighthouse that looks like it’s from the pages of Dr Seuss, there’s still plenty to entertain.

The wide green lawn is dotted with playgrounds and perfect picnic spots. The tiny pebble beaches are a sweet spot for little ones to dip their toes. The paved path that skirts the harbour wall is perfect for joggers, dog walkers and bike riders (even if you still have your fairy wheels). Revolving artistic installations keep things cultured, from commentary on our disappearing rhinos to those mysterious white horses.

And then, of course, there’s the quiet joy of watching the sun dip below the horizon, surrounded by your nearest and dearest who, with any luck, will be fast asleep in the backseat by the time you get home.

Photography Cape Town Tourism, Kimmy & Bear, Sarah Woods/HSMimages.com