Oliewenhuis Art Museum
Oliewenhuis - a Neo-Dutch-style mansion -located on Grant’s Hill, served as residence for the Governor General of the Union of South Africa from 1942. In 1947, King George VI, his wife and two daughters used Oliewenhuis as residence during their three-day visit to Bloemfontein. After the establishment of the Republic of South Africa in 1961, Oliewenhuis became the official residence for the State Presidents of South Africa during official visits to Bloemfontein. In 1972, the building was officially named Oliewenhuis, the name being derived from the abundance of wild olive trees growing on the surrounding hills. The museum is located in one of the most magnificent gardens in the city, the perfect location for a picnic. The Terrace Restaurant and Coffee Shop is also the ideal place to have a bite to eat when visiting Oliewenhuis.
Visiting hours: Monday-Friday: 08:00-17:00
Saturday: 09:00-16:00
Sunday and public holidays: 09:00-16:00
Search the following link for contact details and directions to Oliewenhuis:
http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-oliewenhuis-art-museum-Bloemfontein Free State National Botanical Garden
The Free State National Botanical Garden covers 70 hectares and is home to about 400 species of plants. Some 124 species of birdlife and 54 species of reptiles inhabits the garden. Take a leisurely hike on the Botanical Garden Tree Route. It is a self-guided, 1 km walk that features 43 indigenous trees. It comes with an informational booklet (at a small cost) and there are numbered markers.
Visiting hours: Monday–Friday: 08:00-16:30
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 08:00-17:00
Entrace fee: Adults and students: R20
Search the following link for directions and contact details:
http://www.sanbi.org/gardens/free-state National Museum Bloemfontein
The National Museum in Bloemfontein has been in existence since 1877, when it began collecting and displaying rarities from around the world. Today, the museum focuses on natural history and cultural history sciences, as well as art, and it has established some important collections.
Visiting hours: Monday–Friday: 08:00-17:00 Saturday: 10:00-17:00
Sunday and public holidays: 12:00-17:00
Entrance fee Adults: R5
Search the following link for entrance fees, contact details and the location of the National Museum:
http://www.nasmus.co.za/visiting/admission-and-opening-hours Cheetah Experience
The Cheetah Experience is a cheetah and wildcat sanctuary in Bloemfontein which offers an unparalleled opportunity to see, touch, interact and learn about cheetahs, other big cats and other smaller African cat species such the serval and rooikat (African caracal). In addition to cheetahs, the sanctuary now also houses lions, leopard, serval, and rooikat. Special residents include two white lions and a black leopard.
Tour times: Tuesday–Sunday: 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 15:00
Search the following link for entrance fees, contact details, and a map with directions to the Cheetah Experience:
http://www.cheetahexperience.com/ The Orchid House
If you like those most rare and beautiful flowers – orchids - and who doesn’t, the Orchid House in Hamilton Park, Central Bloemfontein, is well worth a visit. The glass-domed orchid garden nursery features a predominantly exotic collection with hundreds of orchids. Winter is the best time of year to visit, as this is when the orchids bloom.
Visiting hours: Monday–Friday: 10:00-16:00 Weekends: 10:00-17:00
Entrance fee: None
Search the following link for contact details and the location of the Orchid House:
http://sa.travel-directory.co/139/sub-places/free-state/bloemfontein/arboretum/activities-entertainment/bloemfontein-orchid-house Naval Hill
Standing atop of this geographic wonder, you are provided with an exquisite panoramic view of Bloemfontein. Located within the Franklin Game Reserve, it is known for both its natural beauty and its historical significance. Naval Hill is also home to the largest statue of Nelson Mandela, made in honour of this world icon and standing at 8 m in height. It was unveiled on 7 December 2012.
Visiting hours: Daily: 08:00–17:00
Entrance fee: None
Search the following link for a map:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa/Free-state/bloemfontein/sights/parks-gardens/naval-hill Naval Hill Planetarium
The Naval Hill Planetarium is the first digital planetarium in sub-Saharan Africa. Situated at the old Lamont-Hussey Observatory in Bloemfontein, the Naval Hill Planetarium offers visitors an immersive experiential journey through the outer reaches of space. The University of the Free State, with the support of founding partners – the Department of Science and Technology, the Free State Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and the Mangaung Metro Municipality, established the planetarium. This is the closest most people will come to travelling the galaxy.
Gallery on Leviseur
An art gallery of this nature is long overdue in Bloemfontein. Gallery on Leviseur occupies 126 square metre of contemporary creativity. The gallery has created a space in which outstanding individuals can express their creativity with the help of those who fight to keep the design world alive and enable artists to progress in their work by reducing the constraints they are facing. Gallery on Leviseur aims to keep the creative dialogue going. One of the objectives has been to offer pieces to collectors that are either unique or produced in very limited editions without judging value or taste. Leviseur aims to promote and represent contemporary South African artists who have the potential and professionalism to be successful in a competitive market. @59 Plenty is a vibrant, colourful restaurant situated in the gallery. Fresh breads, cakes, muffins, sandwiches, tarts -both savoury and sweet -complete your feast of choices, to be enjoyed in the café or shared with family and friends at home. Over weekends, we invite our locals to enjoy a buffet breakfast featuring the works. During the week we have a seasonal harvest table that changes daily.
Gallery visiting hours: Monday–Friday: 08:00-16:00 Saturday: 09:00-14:00
@59 Plenty business hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 07:00-16:00
Wednesday and Friday: 07:00-18:00 Saturday: 08:00-14:00
For more information and to view a map with directions, visit the following website:
http://www.galleryonleviseur.co.za/
Tweetoringkerk Bloemfontein (the church with two towers)
The Dutch Reformed congregation of Bloemfontein was established on 13 November 1848, and its services were initially held in the Raadsaal, a humble thatched building in St George’s Street. On 6 January 1849, Major Henry Warden, the British Resident Administrator, laid the foundation stone for a new church and, at the same time, presented a bell to the congregation. The building was only completed on 29 May 1852. By 1862, it had grown too small for Bloemfontein’s needs and the construction of a new hall was proposed. The project was only undertaken in 1874 when architect AW Wocker was commissioned to design a church at a cost of £17,500. The old building was demolished while services continued to be held in a warehouse owned by the firm of GA Fichardt, immediately across the road. President Brand laid the foundation stone for the new church on 10 May 1878, and on 7 May 1880 the new building was consecrated. The structure was notable for its twin spires and is commonly known among citizens of Bloemfontein as the Tweetoring Kerk.
Visit the following website for more information:
http://www.sahistory.org.za/places/dutch-reformed-church-bloemfontein