International Antarctic Center

If you've always wanted to romp with penguins, stroke a leopard seal, climb aboard a snowmobile, explore a snow cave, and feel the icy wind chills of Antarctica, this is probably as close as you'll get. The penguins may be man-made and the leopard seals stuffed, but everything about this attraction is of superb value. It takes a more geographic/natural history approach than the Canterbury Museum's Antarctic exhibition and if you see both, you'll have a healthy appreciation for life on the big white continent. Judged as one of New Zealand's leading attractions for 2 years, it's designed to give you a feel for modern Antarctic life through sophisticated sound and light shows, a spine-tingling audiovisual presentation, interactive exhibits, and numerous displays. The center is suitable for visits of 30 minutes or half a day, but spending 1 to 2 hours is ideal. All parts are accessible by wheelchair, and two wheelchairs are available for use by the public. There are also multilingual brochures, guides, and snow phones.