Nairobi is one of the unique destinations in the world. There is a lot to see and experience but not many of us would consider the city as worth exploring. Many people have traveled from far to come and experience the beauty of the city and its remarkable history.
If you are keen on wandering in Nairobi, here is a list of things to do and places to visit within or in the outskirts of the city.
Top Things to do and places to visit in Nairobi on a Budget – Nairobi City Center
1. August 7th Memorial Park
The Park stands at the site of the former USA Embassy in Kenya. It serves as a memorial Park to remember people who lost their lives on August 7, 1998, through a terrorist bomb attack.
Location: Junction of Haile Selassie Avenue and Moi Avenue
2. Cameo Cinema
This is an old building constructed in 1912 as the Theatre Royal. It now hosts Subway Kenya, Cameo Casino and Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company
Location: Along Kenyatta Avenue
3. City Market
This is one of the oldest fish, beef, flower, grocery, and jewelry and handicrafts formal market in Kenya.
Location: At the end of Kigali Rd along Muindi Mbingu Street.
4. Dedan Kimathi Statue
This Statue was erected to honor Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi who was the most influential leader of the Mau Mau Rebellion. Kimathi was caught and executed by the colonial rulers in 1957
Location: Junction of Mama Ngina and Kimathi Street
5. Tom Mboya Statue
This is the statue of Tom Mboya who was an independence activist and one of the founding fathers of Kenya.
Location: Along Moi Avenue close to the National Archives
6. Bull Café
The Café was used to house Indian railway laborers during the colonial era in a kind of dorm room. It is on the first floor of Deekee Holdings Building along River road.
Location: Junction of Ngariama road and River Road Nairobi
7. Bohra Mosque
This is one of the oldest Mosques in Kenya built by and for the Nairobi’s Bohra Community. The community composed of the most notable business people and investors in Nairobi including Jeevanjee who started the city of Nairobi.
Location: Along Lagos Road
8. Jeevanjee gardens
The gardens were named after and donated by AM Jeevanjee who started the city of Nairobi and one of the first Bohras to settle in Nairobi.
Location: Along Moi Avenue
9. Kenyatta International Convention Center
Location: Between City Hall Way and Harambee Avenue. The main gate is located opposite the City Hall.
10. Kenya Railway Museum
Location: Off workshop road next to Technical University of Kenya
11. Khoja Mosque
Also known as JamatKhana Building, Khoja Mosque is located at the junction of Nairobi’s Moi Avenue and the beginning of River Road. It was completed in 1922 for the Shah Ismailia Community (Agha Khan).
Location: Junction of Moi Avenue and River Road
12. Biashara Street
Location: Stretches from Cooperative Bank Moi Avenue to Muindi Mbingu Street
13. Kipande House
Kipande is a Swahili word for Identity cards. This building was used as the registration center for African who used to work in Nairobi during the colonial period. Kipande house is now used as the Kenyatta Avenue Branch of KCB bank.
Location: Kenyatta Avenue
14. McMillan Library
This is Kenya’s biggest public library run by the city council of Nairobi since 1932. It was built during the colonial era and still retains its beautiful architectural design.
Location: Along Banda Street close to Jamia Mosque
15. Kenyatta Mausoleum
This is the resting place for the first President of Kenya (Mzee Jomo Kenyatta)
Location: Parliament road
16. Parliament Building
Location: Parliament road
17. Phoenix Theatre
Location: Along Parliament road between Red cross Lane and St. John’s gate
18. Prembro House
Location: Biashara Street, Nairobi
19. Standard Chartered Building
Formally used to be known as Torr’s hotel in the colonial times. This was one of the major hotels in Nairobi then. The building now serves as Kenyatta Avenue branch of Standard Chartered Bank.
Location: Along Kenyatta Avenue
20. War Memorial Pillar
This pillar commemorates the Carrier corps who were the African soldiers during the colonial rule.
Location: Along Kenyatta Avenue