Top Things to do in Free State
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Free State, South Africa
Discover the best top things to do in Free State, South Africa including Skydive Parys, Amphitheatre, Maluti Tours, Glen Garriff Conservation, Anglo Boer War Museum, The National Museum, Free State National Botanical Garden, Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Clarens Brewery.
Restaurants in Free State
1. Skydive Parys
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Skydive Parys offers the adrenalin junkie and thrill seeker a chance to experience the very awesome world of Skydiving by participating in a Tandem Skydive over the Famous Vrederfort Dome World Heritage Site in Parys, South Africa. No previous experience needed to participate in a Tandem Skydive.
2. Amphitheatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By rachelwood63 - Dorset, United Kingdom
A fabulous walk, an adventurous climb leading to the most stunning views. Exciting descent on chain ladders. Layden, from Ambhitheatre Backpackers was our guide. He was responsible always look out for our safety and then so much fun we had a great laugh and met some lovely, fellow travellers. Please don't be tempted to do this trek without a guide as there are potential risks and so please keep safe and wear good boots
3. Maluti Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
We are a family run business operating from Clarens, Eastern Free State South Africa. Our main market is taking visitors into Lesotho on either day trips or multi-day depending on clients preference. Owner driven tours ensures attention to detail and a high level of reliability. Contact us to book your pony trekking trip, scenic drives into the mountains, rock art sites, craft market visits and for a shuttle up the mountains in winter to Afriski Mountain Ski Resort in Lesotho. For a list of summer activities at Afriski contact us or visit our website. We have several destinations for hiking in the Maluti's for the enthusiast or for casual walks to enjoy the scenery. Dedicated Basotho Guide accompanies our Tours which adds amazing opportunities to learn and appreciate the local culture.
4. Glen Garriff Conservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By ChicagoNikola - Vernon Hills, United States
I have been following GG Conservation on Social Media for some time and visiting here has been a dream come true. My boyfriend surprised me with this trip for Christmas . I am not a fan of zoos or places where animals are used for touristy attractions, GG Conservation is truly a place where the lions are rescued and placed in their most natural habitat. Suzanne is truly incredible, she answered any questions I had before arriving very quickly by email and gave suggestions on where to buy groceries beforehand since we would be at the house for a few days. When we arrived we were escorted through security gates to the house where Suzanne gave us a tour of the home and went over basic info about the property. There are numerous camps on the entire property and each is home to a pride. We openly roamed the outside of the camps to visit each one and were amazed by the beauty of these animals. We did the lion cage experience and there are no words to describe how incredible it was. This is the closest interaction that you can have with the animals , which is safe because you are in an enclosed cage. Suzanne took us on a tour to each camp by vehicle and I must say that her dedication to and knowledge of each and every lion is amazing, she knows each lion’s name, personality, physical characteristics , and their story. I want to come back again next year with some of my close friends and recommend anyone that can visit here definitely should. ❤️
5. Anglo Boer War Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
One of the most significant events in the history of South Africa was the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. Although the protagonists were Britain and the two Boer Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, the population of South Africa as a whole became embroiled in the war either directly or indirectly. The War Museum in Bloemfontein provides an understanding of the background against which the Anglo-Boer War took place through its unique art collection, dioramas and exhibitions. The course and development of the war unfolds in front of your eyes as you progress through the museum. You are also afforded a glimpse into the life and suffering endured in the concentration and prisoner-of-war camps. We are immensely proud of this historical landmark in South Africa, and urge everyone who wants to understand this part of South African history, to pay us a visit.
Reviewed By waldmeister1 - Aylesbury, United Kingdom
The Museum has an extensive collection of items associated with the Boer War. There are large paintings, the one of the Boers pinned down in the Modder River Banks under fire from the British is very touching when you consider there were women and children there also. It lead of course to the surrender by General Cronje at the battle of Paadeberg. There is an extensive collection of Handicraft items made by the POW's in overseas Camps to which they were "Banished" namely St Helena, Ceylon, India and Bermuda as well as those made in Camps in South Africa. The Women's Monument depicting two women, one holding a baby is very memorable since the ashes of British woman, Emily Hobhouse who did so much to help those suffering during the war are buried there. The recent addition of the lengthy wall, inscribed with the names of the Women and Children who died in the Concentration Camps during Britain's Scorched Earth Policy when farms were burnt and the Women and Children were herded into Concentration Camps with little of no fresh water or medical care is very memorable ! This certainly does not depict the "Best Period" of British History!!
6. The National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Excavated fossils are among the many fascinating items at this natural history museum.
Reviewed By jill464 - Cape Town, South Africa
Immense care is taken with the exhibits. It is always most interesting to visit. The staff are friendly and a pleasure to talk to.
7. Free State National Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
This carefully landscaped and colorful garden, with paved walkways, nature talks and moonlight walks, is popular year round.
Reviewed By Simonwien1961 - Rushden, United Kingdom
This was my second visit to the Gardens its a well maintained beautiful and peaceful place the entrance fee is so cheap 28 Rand under £2 & $2. I walked all around to the top of the hill and down with nice views. There are plenty of different birds to see on my first visit in March 2018 the dam didn't have any water in it but this time it did so able to watch many waterfowl there is a bird hide to view them, I saw a coot couple building a nest on the dam I loved it watching the male swimming out to collect twigs for the female to build her nest it was so sweet. Later in the afternoon the Mongooses come out and walk around. The restaurant is very cheap with nice food too just be careful of the swallow who seems to like to attack you as you enter the restaurant. My only suggestion to make it better is to put the price up a little and supply a map I have seen some people complain about the noise from the Motorway but unless there is a very noisy lorry you hardly notice it.
8. Oliewenhuis Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By ruthsZ2714QE
We looked up places to visit and enjoyed going round the museum especially the film of William Kentridge which is very powerful. The sculptures in the garden are amazing and it’s free entry.
9. Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 495 reviews
Reviewed By LorenS728 - Johannesburg, South Africa
Each time we visit Witsieshoek hotel in the Drakensberg and/or Clarens we schedule a visit to this gorgeous serene mountainous National Park...we visit the Vulture Restaurant and often see the rare Bearded Vultures, I book a horse back ride for an hour and get up close with some of Africas awesome antelope and zebras. Breath taking views and peace and quiet...if this is what your soul needs, do yourself a favour and go. You dont need a 4x4 vehicle.
10. Clarens Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 374 reviews
Reviewed By SBMarketing - Johannesburg, South Africa
BEST spot for eople watching, meeting point, dog friendly, smiling service, tasty platters, beer tasting trays, all sorts of tipple on tap.
