# Things to do in Bloemfontein — Citylit

Art-filled gardens and open skies in the heart of the Free State. Discover 4 researched places in Bloemfontein, Free State, with addresses, photographs and source links.

Canonical page: https://citylit.vercel.app/bloemfontein

Source check dates describe our catalog research, not live confirmation by the venue. Opening hours, prices and accessibility can change. Unknown facts are not confirmed unavailable. City-reference coordinates and city photographs must not be treated as venue locations or venue photos.

Latest source check: 2026-10-15

## Landmarks
- Oliewenhuis
- Free State Botanical Garden
- Sand du Plessis Theatre
- Naval Hill
- Women's Memorial

## Available categories
- [Entertainment](https://citylit.vercel.app/bloemfontein/entertainment)
- [Theatres](https://citylit.vercel.app/bloemfontein/theatres)
- [Parks & zoos](https://citylit.vercel.app/bloemfontein/parks-zoos)

## Places

### Oliewenhuis Art Museum

Art collections and a sculpture garden in a former presidential residence.

- City: Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
- Category: Entertainment
- Address: 16 Harry Smith Street, Waverley
- Citylit page: https://citylit.vercel.app/bloemfontein/entertainment/oliewenhuis-art-museum
- Official website: https://nationalmuseum.co.za/oliewenhuis-art-museum/
- Sources checked: 2026-10-15
- Coordinates: longitude 26.2041, latitude -29.0852 (CITY REFERENCE ONLY; venue coordinates unknown)
- Coordinate source: City centre reference

Art collections and a sculpture garden in a former presidential residence. A former residence on Grant’s Hill, now galleries plus a sculpture garden you can walk.

#### Practical facts
- admission: free (verified); checked 2026-10-15; source: https://nationalmuseum.co.za/visitor-information/
- booking: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- stepFreeEntrance: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- accessibleToilets: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- parking: Secure parking: R10 per vehicle, cash only. Vehicle entry closes at 16:30 on weekdays and 15:30 on weekends/public holidays. (verified); checked 2026-10-15; source: https://nationalmuseum.co.za/visitor-information/
- publicTransport: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- family: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- environment: mixed (verified); checked 2026-10-08; source: https://nationalmuseum.co.za/visitor-information/
- durationMinutes: 90 (editorial-estimate); checked 2026-10-08; source: Citylit editorial planning estimate
- openingHours: Monday–Friday 08:00–17:00; weekends and public holidays 09:00–16:00. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. (verified); checked 2026-10-15; source: https://nationalmuseum.co.za/visitor-information/
- accessNotes: A main-entrance ramp and a lift to the first-floor permanent collection are listed by the museum. (verified); checked 2026-10-15; source: https://nationalmuseum.co.za/visitor-information/

#### Sources
- Oliewenhuis official visitor information: https://nationalmuseum.co.za/visitor-information/; fetched 2026-10-15; retrieved during research

#### Photographs and credits
- https://citylit.vercel.app/images/77657b7bb74d.jpg — Vue du Free State en Afrique du Sud.. CITY ATMOSPHERE, NOT A VENUE PHOTOGRAPH. Author: South African Tourism from South Africa; license: CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0); source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bloemfontein,_Free_State,_South_Africa_(20349855518).jpg
- https://citylit.vercel.app/images/c29d70ca97f4.jpg — The northeastern entrance of Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa. CITY ATMOSPHERE, NOT A VENUE PHOTOGRAPH. Author: Ymblanter; license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bloemfontein_Oliewenhuis_Art_Museum_northeastern_entrance.jpg
- https://citylit.vercel.app/images/419b8b65f9cb.jpg — Oliewenhuis Art Museum seen from the east, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa. CITY ATMOSPHERE, NOT A VENUE PHOTOGRAPH. Author: Ymblanter; license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bloemfontein_Oliewenhuis_Art_Museum_seen_from_the_east.jpg

### Free State National Botanical Garden

A valley garden with indigenous trees, koppies and walking trails.

- City: Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
- Category: Parks & zoos
- Address: Rayton Road, off Dan Pienaar Drive
- Citylit page: https://citylit.vercel.app/bloemfontein/parks-zoos/free-state-national-botanical-garden
- Official website: https://www.sanbi.org/gardens/free-state/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_State_National_Botanical_Garden
- Sources checked: 2026-10-08
- Coordinates: longitude 26.2131544, latitude -29.0505745 (venue pin; entrance may be unverified)
- Coordinate source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/16951965

The Free State National Botanical Garden, located just outside Bloemfontein covers 70 hectares, and is home to about 400 species of plants, largely native to Free State and Northern Cape Provinces and Lesotho. Near Bain's Vlei, the garden was established in 1965, around 10 km north of downtown between picturesque dolerite rocks. 140 bird species, 50 mammal species, and 50 reptile species live in the park. A wild olive tree (Olea europaea subsp.

About source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_State_National_Botanical_Garden; checked 2026-10-12; license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.

#### Practical facts
- admission: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- booking: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- stepFreeEntrance: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- accessibleToilets: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- parking: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- publicTransport: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- family: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- environment: outdoor (editorial-estimate); checked 2026-10-08; source: https://www.sanbi.org/gardens/free-state/
- durationMinutes: 60 (editorial-estimate); checked 2026-10-08; source: Citylit editorial planning estimate

#### Sources
- Free State - SANBI: https://www.sanbi.org/gardens/free-state/; fetched 2026-10-08; retrieved during research
- Free State National Botanical Garden: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_State_National_Botanical_Garden; fetched 2026-10-08; retrieved during research

#### Photographs and credits
- https://citylit.vercel.app/images/ff506cb48444.jpg — The beautiful gardens and walking routes are a must for relaxing and learning about nature in Bloemfontein.. Venue photograph. Author: Luzelle Nel; license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Free_State_Botanical_Gardens.jpg
- https://citylit.vercel.app/images/b943a1412c62.jpg — In the Free State National Botanical Garden. Venue photograph. Author: Esther Westerveld; license: CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0); source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Free_State_National_Botanical_Garden.jpg

### Sand du Plessis Theatre

A performing arts landmark hosting orchestral concerts, theatre and dance.

- City: Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
- Category: Theatres
- Address: 12 First Avenue, Bloemfontein Central
- Citylit page: https://citylit.vercel.app/bloemfontein/theatres/sand-du-plessis-theatre
- Official website: https://pacofs.co.za/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_du_Plessis_Theatre
- Sources checked: 2026-10-08
- Coordinates: longitude 26.2041, latitude -29.0852 (CITY REFERENCE ONLY; venue coordinates unknown)
- Coordinate source: City centre reference

The Sand du Plessis Theatre (Afrikaans: Sand du Plessis-teaterkompleks) is located on Markgraaff Street, Bloemfontein, South Africa. It is a large, multipurpose theater center opened on August 1, 1985 as the home of the Regional Council of Sukovs (Orange Free State Performing Arts Society). It covers a whole city block and includes two formal spaces. The theatre is named after Sand du Plessis, former administrator of Free State.

About source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_du_Plessis_Theatre; checked 2026-10-12; license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.

#### Practical facts
- admission: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- booking: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- stepFreeEntrance: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- accessibleToilets: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- parking: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- publicTransport: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- family: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- environment: indoor (editorial-estimate); checked 2026-10-08; source: https://pacofs.co.za/
- durationMinutes: 120 (editorial-estimate); checked 2026-10-08; source: Citylit editorial planning estimate

#### Sources
- PACOFS: https://pacofs.co.za/; fetched 2026-10-08; retrieved during research
- Sand du Plessis Theatre: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_du_Plessis_Theatre; fetched 2026-10-08; retrieved during research

#### Photographs and credits
- https://citylit.vercel.app/images/77657b7bb74d.jpg — Vue du Free State en Afrique du Sud.. CITY ATMOSPHERE, NOT A VENUE PHOTOGRAPH. Author: South African Tourism from South Africa; license: CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0); source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bloemfontein,_Free_State,_South_Africa_(20349855518).jpg

### National Museum Bloemfontein

Natural-history and cultural collections in central Bloemfontein, with exhibitions connecting the region’s landscapes and people.

- City: Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
- Category: Entertainment
- Address: 36 Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein
- Citylit page: https://citylit.vercel.app/bloemfontein/entertainment/national-museum-bloemfontein
- Official website: https://nationalmuseum.co.za/
- Sources checked: 2026-10-15
- Coordinates: longitude 26.2041, latitude -29.0852 (CITY REFERENCE ONLY; venue coordinates unknown)
- Coordinate source: City reference from Citylit city catalog; venue coordinates not verified

#### Practical facts
- admission: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- booking: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- stepFreeEntrance: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- accessibleToilets: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- parking: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- publicTransport: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- family: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- environment: Unknown / unconfirmed (unknown)
- durationMinutes: 90 (editorial-estimate); checked 2026-10-15; source: Citylit editorial planning estimate

#### Sources
- National Museum Bloemfontein official website: https://nationalmuseum.co.za/; fetched 2026-10-15; retrieved during research

#### Photographs and credits
- https://citylit.vercel.app/images/77657b7bb74d.jpg — Vue du Free State en Afrique du Sud.. CITY ATMOSPHERE, NOT A VENUE PHOTOGRAPH. Author: South African Tourism from South Africa; license: CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0); source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bloemfontein,_Free_State,_South_Africa_(20349855518).jpg

## Further reading
[How Citylit researches its guides](https://citylit.vercel.app/about) · [Privacy and data](https://citylit.vercel.app/privacy)

Original descriptions are Citylit editorial content. Wikipedia excerpts and photographs retain their separately linked licenses. No blanket license covers all third-party material.