by EvanIt is Friday afternoon, the working week is finally winding down, and you find yourself asking the same question so many Capetonians ask: what are the best things to do this weekend? Most “what’s on” lists send you chasing one-off events that are sold out by the time you read them or that wrapped up the weekend before.
In this blog, we will share easy, always-available things to do this weekend in Cape Town: relaxed plans you can act on right away, with no scrambling for tickets and no fear of missing out. And, of course, we will show you how Foresters Arms (or Forries, as the locals call us) makes the perfect home base for whatever your weekend looks like.
Why These Weekend Plans Actually Work
The best weekends are not the ones crammed with rigid bookings and a packed schedule. They are the ones that leave room to breathe. So instead of fleeting listings, we have put together flexible, mix-and-match ideas you can repeat any time the mood strikes. The truth is that the best things to do to switch off do not need a calendar invite. A long walk, a slow lunch under the oak trees, and a catch-up with friends over a cold draught. These are the simple pleasures that make a Cape Town weekend feel like a proper reset. Everything below is built around that idea: easy to start, easy to enjoy, and easy to come back to.
The Easy Default: Start at Forries
When you are deciding on things to do this weekend, it helps to have one dependable anchor, a place everyone knows, that is open whether the sun is shining or the Cape winter has rolled in. For generations of Capetonians, that place has been Forries.
Tucked at the foot of the mountains in leafy Newlands, our beer garden spreads out beneath ancient oak trees and ivy-covered arbours, with plenty of space to settle in for the afternoon. On warm days, the garden is the place to be. On chilly ones, we move indoors to the warm glow of the fireplace, surrounded by the old-world charm of wood, leather and a whole lot of history. Our gastro-pub menu does the rest, with wood-fired pizzas, hearty burgers, generous platters and our famous Sunday carvery.
It is one of those genuinely ‘cool places near me’ that locals return to again and again, not because it is trendy, but because it simply feels good to be here. Use Forries as your meeting point before an adventure, your reward after one, or the whole plan in itself.
Things to Do This Weekend: Weekend Plans for Families
If you are hunting for things to do with kids that will not end in tears (theirs or yours), Newlands is a gentle, green corner of the city built for it. Our beer garden gives little ones room to roam, and our dedicated play area comes with safety-approved swings, slides and jungle gyms, so the grown-ups can actually finish a meal while the kids happily wear themselves out.
For more activities for kids, the surrounding southern suburbs deliver. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, just up the road, has rolling lawns, the Boomslang treetop walkway and endless space to run. Newlands Forest offers easy, shady trails for small legs. When you are searching for ‘activities for kids near me’, the beauty of basing yourself in Newlands is that everything pairs perfectly with a relaxed lunch at Forries afterwards. Also check out our blog “Play Parks in Cape Town: Family-Friendly Spots Near Newlands” for more spots to take the kids.
Plans for Couples With Things to Do This Weekend
Looking for ‘couples activities near me’ that do not require a fancy reservation or a big budget? The southern suburbs are quietly romantic in the most unfussy way. Start with a slow morning walk through Ardene Gardens, then let the afternoon unfold. A quiet drink in our garden, a shared wood-fired pizza, and a glass of wine as the light softens through the oaks. It is the kind of low-pressure date that lets you actually talk to each other. No queues, no rush, no agenda. Just an easy afternoon, the two of you, and a corner of Cape Town that has been welcoming couples for well over a century.
Get Outdoors and Explore Nearby
Cape Town rewards the curious, and some of the best things to do this weekend are simply lacing up your shoes and exploring on foot. Cape Town is dotted with ‘points of interest near me’ that stay open and beautiful all year round; no booking required. Lace up for trails such as Platteklip Gorge, the oldest hiking route up Table Mountain. Head to Sea Point for a walk along the promenade. If you are after ‘places to see near me’ with a view, Rhodes Memorial offers sweeping vistas across the city and a stone’s throw of history. And there are plenty more attractions near the neighbourhood, including the Constantia wine route a short drive away, and the leafy lanes of the suburb itself.
Culture and a Slower Pace
Not every weekend calls for a hike. Sometimes the best things to do this weekend are slower and a little more soulful. While many “culture events” come and go on a fixed date, Cape Town’s recurring cultural life never really stops, and that is where we would point you. Browse the regular weekend markets dotted around the city for local crafts, food and live music. Wander the galleries and museums of the City Bowl.
For something a touch more dressed-up, the Artscape Theatre on the Foreshore is one of Cape Town’s grand cultural institutions and an easy addition to any weekend plan. As home to Cape Town City Ballet and Cape Town Opera, it regularly stages everything from sweeping classical ballets like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker to full-scale operas and musicals, all in a proper theatre setting that makes for a memorable night out. Booking ahead is worth it for the bigger productions, but with performances scheduled throughout the year, there is almost always something on. Pair it with an early dinner at Forries before you head into town, and you have got the makings of a wonderfully well-rounded weekend, a relaxed afternoon in Newlands followed by a little evening glamour.
Just Want Fun? Forries Has Backup Plans for Any Weather
Cape Town weather likes to keep us guessing, so it pays to be ready no matter what the sky is doing. If the sun is out, our beer garden is calling, so grab a table under the trees and settle in. If the wind picks up or the rain rolls in, move indoors by the fireplace, order something delicious, and catch the day’s big match on one of our screens. Live sport, good food and a cold draught make for a brilliant rainy-day plan. Whatever the forecast, Forries is the dependable indoor-outdoor fallback that turns an iffy weather day into a genuinely good one.
The Simplest Way to Start Your Weekend
When you boil it all down, the best things to do this weekend in Cape Town are the ones that are easy to reach, easy to enjoy and always there when you need them. You do not need a packed itinerary or a fistful of tickets, just a good starting point and a willingness to take it slow. So next time you are wondering what to do, skip the endless scrolling. Round up the family, the partner or the friends, and let us take care of the rest. Foresters Arms has been the heart of a good Cape Town weekend since 1852, and we would love to welcome you to ours. Book your table today!
