7 City-specific Places To Visit This Christmas

With tourist attractions across the country opening up and capable of hosting people again (following COVID-19 safety guidelines of course), this Christmas is destined to be more outdoorsy than last year’s.

There are so many things one can do in Nigeria during this festive season. Thanks to our diversity, Nigeria is a nation spoilt for tourist offerings. One doesn’t even have to travel long distances to explore these absolutely serene establishments. Expect most hotspots to be a bit more packed than usual, but that is fine, people are only looking for the same thing as you – the warm Christmassy feeling. Here are places you can visit to celebrate this Christmas with loved ones.

Abuja
Almart Farms and Resort – The Green Escape

Almat Farms Huts

Almat farms is the most sought-after resort in Abuja with luxurious facilities to make you escape the bustles of the city. Stay in the calm and serene environment where you are totally cut off from the blaring of car horns or loud noises which are inherent in city life. A visit will change your perception of luxury.
Horse rides and Quad bike are some of the activities that you could partake in

Calabar
Obudu Mountain Resort – Kiss The Clouds

Obudu Mountain Overview

Obudu Mountain Resort is the foremost and most popular tourist destination in Nigeria, with beautifully built cabins and well laid out structure on the mountains that serenades the temperate conditions on the mountain. Obudu mountain resort is a world of its own where you get to connect with nature and practically live in the clouds throughout your stay at the resort. It is indeed a tourist delight and perfect for your holidays.

Ibadan
Agodi Gardens

Agodi Gardens Swimming Area

Agodi Gardens was established as a natureoriented tourist centre in 1967 and managed by the Western Region at the time. They were once called the Zoological and Botanical Gardens of Agodi and once a premier relaxation centre providing recreational and educational services to residents and visitors. Sadly, the attraction lost its glory in 1980 due to a flood that destroyed and washed away most of the wild animals and exotic ancient plants from the gardens. As a result of this incident, the level of tourist attendance dropped considerably. After so many years of neglect, the park and gardens were renovated in 2012 officially reopened in 2014.

It has a children’s play area and includes a lush green space open for picnics and small events, an artificial lake that contributes to the beauty of the park, a swimming pool, a bar and restaurant, a mini zoo, water park, walkways, and native tree species.

Lagos (Island)
LUFASI Park

LUFASI Park Movie Tents

LUFASI is an acronym for Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Shelter Initiative: a non-governmental organisation established in 2013 and dedicated to the preservation of natural habitats in urban areas for use as a field laboratory to interact with and learn from nature. LUFASI attempts to address the issue of limited green spaces in urban areas like Lagos Nigeria, which can provide recreation and aesthetic satisfaction, and likewise enlighten the populace to clear the ambiguity of climate change through practical learning. The shelter for rescued animals (wild and domestic) serves to educate on conservation with an extra aesthetic and recreational incentive for the centre.

The nature park has a sports world with members in different sports: LUFASI Table Tennis Club, LUFASI Volleyball Club, etc. This majorly is to bring people from different walks of life using their personal interests and hobbies to draw them close to nature and get them to support creation care while they enjoy their games. Each club organizes different levels of tournaments to engage the outside world. The tournaments bring together people from different works of life. Paralympics also participate in the tournament, this creates an avenue to connect them to nature as well as instill environmental consciousness in them.

Osogbo
Nike Centre for Art and Culture

Nike Guesthouse

At Nike’s (Ambassador) Guesthouse, an affordable hotel situated at Old Ede Road, Ofatedo Area, they have fused arts and tourism to give tourists the best of Nigerian culture. They can provide guests with a tour guide who can take you on a trip to the home of Susan Wenger, the famous artist and high priestess of the Osun Secret grove. There is ample on-site parking, and meals and drinks are provided through the on-site restaurant and bar daily at a surcharge.

Around the guesthouse are different activities and visits that are itinerary-worthy. One of them is the Nike Centre for Art and Culture where training is offered free of charge to all Nigerians in various forms of arts; painting, batik, dance, study of sculpture, theatre, quilting and more. The centre was originally a safe haven for disadvantaged women and young adults and has trained over 3000 Nigerians who are now earning a decent living.

Lagos (Mainland)
Kalakuta Republic Museum

Kalakuta Museum Building

Lagos’ Kalakuta Museum, a fascinating site full of history, is set in the former home and revolutionary headquarters of famous musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The building was Kuti’s home from the 1970s until his death in 1997 and is now open as a museum for travellers to explore. Several personal artefacts and household items are on display.

Kuti was a great advocate of human rights and expressed his concerns about the corruption and dictatorship of the then military government of Nigeria through his music. The afrobeat legend’s trademark clothes and shoes feature heavily at the museum, while his bedroom and living room have been left almost untouched, with additional photographs and other items also proudly displayed, such as his saxophone and various album covers.

The museum is the result of Kuti’s family’s efforts to promote the late musician’s legacy and was officially opened to the public on October 15, 2012, to mark Kuti’s birthday.
There are tour packages you could opt for which includes visits to the museum, Hotel 1960 (Prince of Anthony) – the hotel where Fela married his 27 wives, a night at the New African Shrine and a night stay at the museum to have a Kalakuta experience.

Kano
Las Vegas Restaurant

Las Vegas Restaurant

The newly opened Las Vegas restaurant has some exciting ongoing offers as part of their introductory period in the neighbourhood.

Open between 10 am to 11 pm, you can check out their combinations that offer you a varied list of cuisines, all of the pizzas, with the awesome accompaniment of exotic sauces and grilled vegetables of different kinds, rice, pasta, and many more. They have special occasions for programming, so that means Christmas offerings and feel are big possibilities. You can also get in their VIP dining lounge, as well as a VIP shisha area.

Kehindé Fagbule

Website | + posts

Self-identifies as a middle child between millennials and the gen Z, began writing as a 14 year-old. Born and raised in Lagos where he would go on to obtain a degree in the University of Lagos, he mainly draws inspiration from societal issues and the ills within. His "live and let live" mantra shapes his thought process as he writes about lifestyle from a place of empathy and emotional intelligence. When he is not writing, he is very invested in football and sociopolitical commentary on social media.

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