Wellington

On the outskirts of Wellington, nestled incongruously between suburban bungalows and industrial warehouses in Miramar's cinematic hinterland, you'll find Weta Workshop-an Aladdin's cave for geeks, pop-culture pilgrims, and anyone who's ever secretly dreamed of wielding a foam-rubber sword against imaginary orcs. Founded by Richard Taylor, Peter Jackson, and other mad-genius Kiwi misfits who brought Middle-earth to staggering cinematic life, touring Weta means crossing into a strangely irresistible dimension filled with prosthetic hobbit feet, colossal trolls, and detailed armor that would make even the nerdiest blacksmith weep with admiration. Book your tickets at least a few days ahead, and aim for a weekday morning-before the afternoon tour-bus hobbit hordes descend and start clutching at precious replicas. Bring around NZ$50-80 (plus another twenty for geek souvenirs you'll claim are "for the kids back home"), comfortable shoes, and your best Tolkien trivia-the guides here practically speak fluent Elvish. Sure, it may feel a little kitschy to pose dramatically beside a life-size Uruk-Hai while your travel companion snaps embarrassing photos, but embrace the absurdity. After all, where else can you proudly tell friends back home that you've seen Gollum's severed head up close and personal?

Sure, you could sit in a trendy cafe downtown and Instagram pictures of your avocado toast, but if you truly want to experience Wellington's wind-whipped soul, you'll haul yourself up to Mount Victoria Lookout. Perched high enough to make even the Hobbit extras gasp, this peak offers a glorious, 360-degree panorama of New Zealand's quirkiest capital city-its harbor sparkling like spilled Sauvignon Blanc at sunset, fringed by candy-colored cottages that teeter precariously on the hillsides below. To nail your timing, aim to arrive about 30-minutes before dusk (don't trust your smartphone weather app, because Wellington changes moods quicker than a disgruntled chef on a Saturday night). Pack a jacket-this isn't called "Windy Welly" ironically-and consider bringing along a thermos of something strong. Luckily, the best things in Wellington are still free, meaning this view won't bust your budget; your Uber fare or calf-flaming hike uphill is likely your only investment. Is it touristy? Absolutely. Is it windy as hell? Without question. But standing there at golden hour, watching daylight fade into violet like a trippy Peter Jackson fever dream, you'll understand why Kiwis stubbornly brave these elements-and you'll definitely have a story better than your friend's latte art photo.

Visiting Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata is like stepping into a whimsical fever dream imagined by Tolkien and realized by Peter Jackson after one too many pints at the Green Dragon Inn. Nestled in the impossibly pastoral landscape of New Zealand's North Island, this gloriously detailed recreation immerses you among the famously round-doored hobbit holes, quaint gardens, and gently rolling hills that could make even the most cynical traveler forgive all touristy cliches. To dodge the overly enthusiastic Instagrammers and large tour buses, arrive early-ideally on the first tour around 9:00 a.m., when the Shire's morning fog still lingers romantically atop Bag End. Plan two or three weeks ahead (the place is popular and unapologetically proud of it), and budget around $89 NZD per adult, plus a little extra for a pint or two of ale at the tavern. Pack sturdy shoes, your camera (obviously), and perhaps a cloak if you're feeling indulgent. It might look kitschy at first glance, but trust me-strolling through Hobbiton is worth every dollar, if only to return home bragging that you had second breakfast in Middle-earth.