In brief:

• Locals voted on the We Are CBR Instagram for their favourite places across Canberra to take visitors.
• This article includes a list of the most popular places locals would visit.

Canberra is famous for its national museums and galleries, but locals know there are more treasures and attractions to discover.

We put the call out to Canberrans for places they would take visitors to enjoy the best the city has to offer.

From Canberra institutions to hidden gems, here are the best spots, as voted by you on the @weareCBR Instagram.

To admire

• Mount Ainslie: For picture-perfect views of Canberra, you can’t go past a visit to the Mount Ainslie lookout. Walk, cycle or drive to the top to enjoy the impressive view across the city and Lake Burley Griffin.
• National Gallery of Australia: Enjoy world-class exhibitions at the National Gallery of Australia. Take your time wandering through the galleries and admiring the extensive collection, including the impressive sculpture garden.
• National Arboretum Canberra: Take in stunning views of the Canberra skyline from the top of the National Arboretum Canberra. With over 44,000 rare and endangered trees across a 250-hectare site, it's a place of beauty and conservation.
• Embassy Drive: Canberra is home to nearly 80 embassies and high commissions. Most are in the suburb of Yarralumla, so you can take a drive and see traditional and modern architecture from around the world.
• The Royal Australian Mint: The Royal Australian Mint is a working factory and an attraction you can visit. Enjoy exclusive displays of rare and historical coins. You can also watch robots in action as they bring coins to life on the factory floor and have a go at designing your own coin.

To eat

• Capital Region Farmers Market: This popular market at EPIC is Canberra’s biggest farmers market. There are now almost 200 registered stallholders, hosting around 100 stalls and welcoming thousands of customers each Saturday morning.
• Noodles: Ikigai Ramen got a special mention, but Canberra has lots of fantastic noodle options to satisfy. Check out our list of Canberra’s best noodles.
• Verity Lane Market: Verity Lane Market offers a tasty selection of food options in one central city location. Each vendor at Verity Lane Market is locally owned, bringing a distinct cultural voice to the Market Hall.
• Suburban eats: Take your guests to some of the city’s tastiest hidden gems. We have a list of Canberra’s best suburban cafes to get your started.

To explore

• Lake Burley Griffin: There are so many ways for visitors to experience the beauty of Lake Burley Griffin. Cyclists and walkers can explore the 40-kilometre shoreline. Make sure to try the popular bridge-to-bridge loop. Or you can take to the water on a kayak, paddle board or boat.
• Tidbinbilla: This stunning nature reserve is just a 45-minute drive from the Canberra city centre. Spot native animals, enjoy a trail hike or take your kids to the Nature Discovery Playground.
• Australian National Botanic Gardens: The Gardens are home to over 4,300 plant species across on 35 hectares. t is the only place in the world you can see all this plant diversity in one location. Enjoy a free guided walk, a ride on the Flora Explorer, or treat yourself at the cafe, bookshop, or day spa.
• Wildbark at Mulligans Flat: Start your adventure into the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary from the Wildbark Visitor Centre. Some popular walks, including the Wetlands Walk, are easily accessed from Wildbark. You can then enjoy a drink or bite to eat on your return.
• Cotter Avenue: Cotter Avenue is a popular spot outside of Canberra for picnics, swimming, fishing, and bushwalking. Take the Cotter Dam Discovery Trail, which features a viewing platform with majestic views of the dam wall.

To shop

• Markets: Canberra’s markets are a hit with visitors, including the Trash and Treasure Market in Jamison. Check out our Ultimate Canberra market’s guide to be inspired.
• Old Bus Depot Markets: Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets run every Sunday in Kingston. Browse more than 200 stalls offering handcrafted wares, clothing, local and international food, live music and delicious food.
• Second-hand goods: Canberra is home to a huge amount of op shops and thrift stores. Take a look at our Guide to thrifting in Canberra for an extensive list of shops to visit.

Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Photo by Penny Bradfield for VisitCanberra

To learn

• Old Parliament House: Within this iconic heritage-listed building is the Museum of Australian Democracy. Learn about the story of Australia's democracy through exhibitions, events and education programs. There’s also an interactive space for children with craft, stories and games.
• Parliament House: Book a tour for Question Time to see the country's elected politicians make decisions on behalf of the nation. Take a tour of the building's impressive architecture, visit the Queen's Terrace Café and enjoy the Australian art spread throughout the hallways of this historic site.
• She Shapes History tour: This guided walking tours uncovers the extraordinary stories of the women who shaped Australia's political, social, and cultural life.
• National Museum of Australia: Visitors will appreciate the museum’s stunning architecture as well as the collections of rich and diverse Australian stories inside. Take a guided tour or wander solo through the many exhibitions.
• National Library of Australia: The Treasures Gallery is where you can find highlights from the Library’s physical and digital collection, including maps, books, manuscripts, photographs and paintings. Take advantage of a free guided tour, browse the bookshop or visit Bookplate Cafe.

Canberra is full of exciting places to discover, that we couldn’t help adding a few more suggestions to the list!

Even more ideas

• Merry-go-round: The magical carousel located in Petrie Plaza delights children and adults with its charm.
• National Zoo and Aquarium: See some of the world's most amazing creatures at the  National Zoo and Aquarium. The Zoo features native and exotic animals, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia, and an epic playground.
• Canberra Museum and Gallery: CMAG celebrates the Canberra region's social history and visual arts through exhibitions and events.
• Hire a boat: See more of Lake Burley Griffin from the water and hire an electric boat. No boat licence required.
• Australian War Memorial: The Australian War Memorial is a unique national institution that combines a shrine, a museum and an archive. It is dedicated to telling the stories of men and women who have served in war, conflict, and peacekeeping operations.
• Corin Forest: Enjoy an alpine adventure in the Tidbinbilla Mountain Ranges. During winter Corin Forest provides snow experiences, including beginner skiing or snowboarding, plus a snow play area for tobogganing and snowball fights.

Check out VisitCanberra for even more ideas of where to take visitors in the ACT.

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