See The Real Johannesburg

By Ann Binlot Published December 2, 2016

Even though Johannesburg is a city of contrasts, rife with both crime and beauty, the city’s mix of dining, shopping and history make it a bucket list destination. Just make sure to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and you’ll have experience that is like no other in the world.

PLAY
HAREM Nightclub
Want to see how South Africans pop bottles? Head to this hotspot to experience the club scene in Johannesburg. Dance to the city’s hottest DJs on any given night of the week.
160 Jan Smuts Avenue
Johannesburg

Recommended Videos

Kitchener’s Carvery Bar
Head to this iconic dive bar to see where the creative set of Johannesburg gathers to unwind, have a drink and endless good times. On weekends you’ll find local DJs, just make sure to arrive early if you don’t want to be stuck in line.
71 Juta Street
Johannesburg

SHOP
The Cosmopolitan
This colonial building houses one of the city’s newest and coolest lifestyle complexes which comes complete with options to eat, drink, and shop all in one place. Snag some African tea at the tea house, or buy clothes from South African fashion designers.
24 Albrecht Street
Johannesburg

EAT & DRINK
Bolton Road Collection
Rosebank’s newest culinary darling has amazing cocktails. Share a platter with asparagus arancini, marinated buffalo mozzarella, potato churros and more at your table, and then go for the West Coast mussels with calvados, cream and more.
2 Bolton Road
Jahonnesburg

Che Argentine Grill
303 Fox Street
Experience South Africa’s top quality meat through this chic Argentinian steakhouse where you can can get all kinds of steak complete with the Argentinian accoutrements.
303 Fox Street
Johannesburg

STAY
The Peech Hotel
Stay in luxury at Johannesburg’s premier eco-friendly The Peech Hotel. Luxury and calm await you at this 16-room hotel.
61 North Street
Johannesburg

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ann Binlot is a New York-based freelance writer who contributes to publications like The Economist, Wallpaper*, Monocle…

Travel

Yes, you’re probably overpacking — 7 travel tips for packing I swear by

Years of travel mistakes led me here. These tips actually work

An overhead view of a man packing a suitcase

There are two types of people in the world – the ones who pack two weeks in advance with a packing checklist, and the ones who shove a random pair of shoes into a bag 10 minutes before leaving for the airport. I’ve been both.

But after years of red eyes, lost luggage, and trying to survive long layovers in jeans, I’ve learned what actually works. These are the travel tips for packing I swear by – the things that save space, stress, and yes, your sanity.
1. Lay everything out. Then put a third of it back.

Travel

Move over Vegas — this U.S. city is now the top casino spot

Is Chicago the new Las Vegas?

Casino

Before you book your next trip to Las Vegas, you might want to consider a surprising alternative. A new ranking from gaming aggregator SlotMatrix reveals that Sin City isn’t even in the top three casino destinations in the U.S. In fact, Las Vegas came in fourth place, while the number one spot went to an unexpected winner: Chicago, Illinois.

The study analyzed several factors, including the number of casinos per 100,000 residents, casino amenities like hotels and restaurants, the number of slot machines, table games, poker tables, late-night bar options, and average hotel prices.

Travel

Luggage shipping gains popularity as travelers seek stress-free flying

Avoid long baggage claim waits and lost luggage stresses

Man carrying luggage in both hands

In case you are unaware, AAA says a record-setting 72.2 million Americans are estimated to travel ahead of Independence Day this week (between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 4th). AAA projects that this year's domestic travel forecast will surpass 1.7 million travelers over last year, and 7 million more than in 2019. Busy summer travel also means an increased chance of encountering common airport hassles, such as long wait times at baggage claim, and even lost, damaged, or stolen luggage. Travelers are also looking for new ways to avoid rising checked bag fees and overweight baggage fees.

As a solution, more travelers are turning to luggage shipping as an alternative to make their summer journeys a bit smoother. With luggage shipping options at The UPS store, specialty luggage boxes are used to accommodate a wide variety of the most common suitcase sizes. For airlines with strict size and weight regulations, using luggage shipping may offer an easier, stress-free option to transport your belongings without the hassle. Travelers with specific mobility issues or with multiple suitcases have also turned to luggage shipping as a more straightforward solution than navigating busy airports with numerous suitcases at once.