THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT IN ABUJA

Abuja: the capital of the country and the seat of power, is home to the president and his entourage as well as the rest of the highest ranked policy makers in the nation, hence in the way some cities have highbrow areas, the presence of these VIPs means Abuja is essentially VIP city, and the evidence is everywhere, from the moment you approach the city and notice the different checkpoints manned by a variety of branches of the armed forces, you're aware that you aren't entering an ordinary town and to "maintain yourself" well.
For the first-time visitor to Abuja, you're spoilt for choice, from the visitors with lavish tastes who enjoy the nightlife to the introverts who are into the arts, particularly music to the connoisseurs of food and drink, there is an activity for everyone in this city and here, we shall have a quick run-through of some of the best places to visit and have fun in the city.

The Traffic bar: Situated after the main entrance of Dabras hotel, the food selection in the restaurant/bar is of the fast food sort rather than the "swallows" most Nigerians consider real food. The atmosphere at the bar is very calm and low-key with a beach décor in place. The nightclub, accessible directly from inside the bar opens its doors to revellers at 10 pm but doesn’t get underway till well after midnight. The club has a strict dress code to discourage its patrons from looking too casual, for guys, sandals are prohibited unless paired with a very smart native attire while for the ladies clothes that reveal too much of the skin would most likely get the wearer turned back politely. The staff is impeccably turned out in crisp dress suits and dark trousers and are also very efficient, seemingly anticipating your needs before them even being expressed by you.

Celebrities Nightclub: Arriving at this hotspot before twelve makes you an early bird. The nightclub boasts very well stocked bars, six large LCD television sets and strategic lighting adding to the ambiance of the club. While the crowd is still sparse the DJ serenades the crowd with nostalgic tunes from the 90s. However, once the club is packed, Nigerian artistes of today take over with the likes of Wizkid, Davido, Timaya, Yemi Alade taking over the sound waves. While the club has no gate fee, the price of food and drinks are very high. If you refrain from placing an order, you’ll be asked to leave. Also like most other nightclubs in this part of Nigeria, exotic dancers are a prominent feature.

Klub Vanity: A nightclub located at the House of Cabana on Adedokun Adedamola Crescent in Wuse 2. This place attracts the crème d la crème of Abuja revellers due to the reputation it has already made for itself. A bit on the pricey side though.

The Hut, Aminu Kano: This is a must visit for lovers of Chinese cuisine and clubbing. They have highly competent chefs as well as an upscale nightclub right next door accessible via the stairs(VIP) or in the basement (regular).

Cubana Lounge: This is an exclusive nightclub with the bouncers standing as a deterrent to unwanted behaviour and improper dressing. The price of food and drinks are very high here and where you get to sit in the club depends on the price of the drink(s) you bought.

Crush Café, Gwarimpa: Rated as the number one café in Abuja by Hey-Cafes, crush café is located at Bonny B corner shop, 1st avenue, Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja and the standards held by the café for their food is of an exceptionally high standard indeed with a vast variety of appetizing food items such as: International and local cuisine, grilled and baked dishes, soups and many other delicacies for the foodies.

Maitama amusement Park: Located in the highbrow area of Maitama, the park is a favorite among families with kids who just want to have a nice day out with something to do for the kids as well as a nice relaxation spot for themselves. It’s perfect for people who just want to hang out with their friends in a relatively quiet environment while spending little to no money such as myself- I had a wonderful day out ordering a pizza and drinks with a friend and driving down to the park to sit and chill in the expansive parking lot while catching up on old times, all in all a thoroughly enjoyable day for me, sitting in the car park is free.

Silverbird Entertainment Centre/Shoprite: Located in the central business district, the mall is the perfect destination for the shopaholics and people who love to hang out at the mall with the usual complement of shops such as a bowling alley, different games arcades, a food court, spa and the cinema itself as well as other shops with a wide variety of choices. In addition to the above, a range of luxury limousines are available for rental.

Truckadero Wuse 2: Located at 130 Ademola Adetokunbo crescent, Wuse 2 Abuja. Opened in 2014 to a lot of fanfare and so far, has lived up to the high standards promised at the opening. For bowling enthusiasts, it’s the perfect destination coupled with games arcades as well as a variety of dishes for the foodies.

Blu Cabana: Located in the Mabushi district across from the Setraco building in Abuja, it caters primarily to the palate by offering up a wide variety of dishes which include: Mediterranean cuisine, Pizza, grilled and BBQ food as well as catering to the needs of vegetarians. Other attractions include a standard swimming pool and a play area for the children of people who come with kids.

Blake’s Resort, Abuja: Located at Muhammad Bello way, Garki II, Abuja, it caters to the needs of the partiers but with a twist – the resort is almost exclusively outdoors with a splendid live band for those who love live music.

Dome Nightclub: An events center that also doubles as a recreational hub, it’s also located in the Central Business district. Among the facilities available include: a bowling alley, nightclub/restaurant, VIP lounge among others.

IBB Golf/Country Course: Located at Udi hills, Aso drive, Asokoro and is one of the most beautiful parkland courses in West Africa. After development of the resort, vast areas were still left as a natural habitat so there’s still a lot of wild animals to be seen even by golfers walking between holes such as Monkeys and big reptiles like Crocodiles and huge constrictors. A must-visit for golf and nature enthusiasts.

Abuja NATIONAL Mosque: One of the biggest mosques in the country, as the name implies, it is the national mosque of the country. The mosque was built in 1984 and is open to the non-Muslim public except during congregational prayers. A much-sought after tourist attraction for people who come from far and wide to see its gleaming domes and magnificent minarets.

Road trip to Suleja: Suleja is a city located on the outskirts of Abuja, and despite a common misconception being that it’s part of Abuja, in reality it’s actually a town in Niger state. There are a number of attractions in Suleja such as the famous Zuma rock which features prominently on the #100 naira note as well as the Ladi Kwali pottery center. Perfect for adventure lovers who also love to be at one with nature, there’s also the added attraction of the Guara falls. Perfect for a road trip with friends.

These, and many more are the delights offered up by the beautiful city of Abuja, so on your next visit to this town, be sure to come with your cameras and prepared to enjoy the wonderful variety of delights available for who wants to enjoy the town properly.
Hadari Tafiya!