Shops
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Parys Eyeballing wine, swirling, sniffing and swishing - it may look complicated or even snobbish, but the traditional wine-tasting technique is actually based on common sense. It's simply a way to pause for a moment, to stop and think, and to pay attention to the ways that the wine impacts on all your senses, from sight and scent to taste, aftertaste, and the overall impression that the wine leaves behind after you've finished.
Things to do near
Parys
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Animal Parks
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Potchefstroom (43.5 km from Parys) Home to over 200 species of birds, the OPM Prozesky Bird Sanctuary on the Mooi River is worth a visit. Bird watching is the main activity here and the reserve is designed to be accessible to birders on foot, with well-maintained paths, bridges and strategically placed hides. The wetland habitat attracts many species of water birds and waders during summer. African Purple Swamphen, Black Crake, Black-winged Stilt and various species of duck and herons are frequently seen.
Galleries and Museums
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Potchefstroom (44.1 km from Parys) Totius (Jakob Daniel du Toit) is famously known as the man who translated most of the Bible into Afrikaans.
The Totius Museum is a typical example of a house built during the Edwardian period. The house was completed in 1905 and was occupied by professor Cachet, until professor D.J. du Toit (Totius) succeeded him as principal of the Theological School in 1911.
Besides being an academic, Totius was also well known as a poet and cultural leader. The entire content of the house originated from the du Toit family.
Admission to the museum is free and guided tours are offered.
Galleries and Museums
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Potchefstroom (44.1 km from Parys) Built in 1859, the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk is easily the oldest church building north of the Vaal River. This national monument and familiar landmark in Potchefstroom is unmistakable with its decorative roof trimming of cast iron horsemen and extraordinary spire.
Nature Reserves
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Potchefstroom (44.1 km from Parys) Dome Bergland Nature Park lies on an 80 km wide impact site of a meteorite that crashed some 2 000 million years ago. But the parks allure goes beyond this mind-boggling attraction; there are a host of things to do. Visitors have the option of hiking, mountain climbing, river rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, and abseiling, sightseeing and fly-fishing opportunities.
Shopping Malls
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Potchefstroom (44.5 km from Parys) The Mooi River Mall is a top class waterfront shopping mall straddling the Mooi River with 47 500 m2 of shops and 2 000 parking bays. The centre is the answer to shopping and entertainment par excellence for the Northwest region, with support expected from as far a field as Orkney, Ventersdorp and Carletonville. A first of its kind for the region, in the true sense, comparable to those centres akin to the major cities around South Africa, Mooi River sets the benchmark for centres to follow within the region
Popular Attractions
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Potchefstroom (45.1 km from Parys) Walk down Potchefstroom’s delightful avenue of old oak trees that date back over a hundred years. The 6.84 km lane was declared a monument in 1977. Considered the longest oak avenue in South Africa, it stretches from the Agricultural Centre to the Lakeside Resort.
Golf Courses
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Vanderbijlpark (46.1 km from Parys) Emfuleni Golf Estate and Country Club is situated in Vanderbijlpark and offers recreational facilities for golfing, boating, fishing and braaing. There is a lovely tennis court, the River Coffee Shop, and a day spa.
The halfway house and restaurant offers a wide range of meals and refreshments along with a bar, a lounge and reception facilities.
Only 45 minutes from Johannesburg, this is an excellent place for relaxing and getting away from the city, while enjoying good food, golfing and various watersports activities.
Shopping Malls
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Vanderbijlpark (46.1 km from Parys) Vaal Mall is situated in the countryside of Vanderbijlpark. It offers over 140 retailers and restaurants along with ample free secure parking. The Food Court area extends to the outside which creates a lovely outdoor atmosphere for dining.
The centre is located at the intersection of the Golden Highway and Barrage Road, Vanderbijlpark. The mall is open Monday to Friday 9:00 until 19:00, Saturdays from 9:00 until 17:00, Sundays from 10:00 until 16:00, and on public holidays from 9:00 until 17:00.
Golf Courses
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Potchefstroom (47.1 km from Parys) Landboukollege Golf Club is a par 71, 9-hole layout, featuring a few challenging holes, water hazards, and all-round fun.
Visitors are welcome everyday. Facilities includes golf club hire.
Casinos
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Vanderbijlpark (48.6 km from Parys) Emerald Casino offers the latest in traditional, video and retro slots. There are spacious smoking and non-smoking areas in the casino and the interior is designed for gaming in stylish comfort.
Gold and Diamond Club holders can enjoy a private gaming experience where the Prive lounge regularly hosts cocktail events. The casino also boasts 27 tables including games such as Roulette, Blackjack, Progressive Poker, Baccarat, Punto Banco and Texas Hold 'Em Poker.
The casino is open every Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am until 4:00 am and 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Popular Attractions
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Vanderbijlpark (48.6 km from Parys) The Emerald African Spa overlooks the fragrant banks of the Vaal River. If you are looking to get spoiled in a tranquil and luxurious setting, this is the spa for you.
The well-trained therapists, offering top-of-the-range treatments, will attend to your every need and allow you to completely relax and enjoy every moment.
The Spa is open every Tuesday until Friday 9:00 until 17:00, Saturday from 9:00 until 16:00, and Sunday from 9:00 until 14:00.
Animal Parks
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Potchefstroom (52 km from Parys) Buffelsvlei Wild Animal Park is situated 20 km from Potchefstroom and close to the Boskop Dam. The private game park offers a number of exciting activities in a picturesque landscape that is richly populated with wildlife and birds. Giraffe, zebra, black wildebeest, eland and gemsbok are just a few of the large animals that you will encounter on quad bike rides, horse-riding trails, cycling and hiking routes or on game drives.
Popular Attractions
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Potchefstroom (52.1 km from Parys) Buffelsvlei Wild Animal Park offers visitors the opportunity to ride through the bushveld on guided horseback safaris. Experience the incredible freedom of roaming off the beaten track and amazingly close encounters with wildlife.
Popular Attractions
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Potchefstroom (52.2 km from Parys) Ride on the wild side and come into closer contact with wildlife on quad bikes at Buffelsvlei Wild Animal Park. Relish the wind in your hair and freedom to roam the bushveld.
Nature Reserves
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Potchefstroom (56.8 km from Parys) Boskop Dam Nature Reserve offers a fun day trip for families just 20 km north of Potchefstroom. The dam is fed by the Mooi River and is home to smallmouth yellow fish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, barbell and monstrous carp. Boskop provides a sanctuary for a rich population of birds and wildlife. Animals you are most likely to see include black wildebeest, zebra, eland, red hartebeest, springbok and blesbok. Picnic facilities are dotted around the shore.