2 Best Sights in Parktown, Parkview, Saxonwold, and Westcliff, Johannesburg

Located in a park along the City Sightseeing hop-on, hop-off green bus route, this museum has three exhibition halls and a rambling outdoor display focusing on South Africa's role in the major wars of the 20th century, with an emphasis on World War II. On display are original Spitfire and Messerschmidt fighters (including what is claimed to be the only remaining ME110 jet night fighter), various tanks of English and American manufacture, and a wide array of artillery. Among the most interesting objects are the modern armaments South Africa used in its war against the Cuban-backed Angolan army during the 1980s, including French-built Mirage fighters and Russian tanks stolen by the South Africans from a ship en route to Angola. More recent exhibits include the national military art collection, memorabilia from the Anti-Conscription Campaign of apartheid days, and an exhibit on the history of Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation, or MK, the African National Congress's military arm). The tall, freestanding South African (Anglo-Boer) War Memorial, which looks like a statue-adorned mini Arc de Triomphe, is the most striking landmark of the northern suburbs.

Smaller than its Pretoria counterpart but no less impressive, the city's zoo makes for a pleasant day trip, and with plenty of lawns and shade, it's a good place to picnic. The large variety of species (more than 320) includes rare white lion and endangered white rhino. The Animals of the Amazon is an attraction that houses snakes, spiders, lizards, and frogs in a Mayan setting. Perhaps the best way to see the zoo is to take the ferry to various parts. Afterward, stroll past Zoo Lake in the large, peaceful park across the road.