Why visit Lekki, Lagos with short stays choices? One of Lagos’ famous landmarks is Freedom Park, a former colonial prison transformed into a park with ponds and fountains, food vendors, an open-air concert stage and a venue for art exhibitions. Some permanent displays detail the history of the location, formerly a slave trading port as well as historic prison. The park is located in the heart of Lagos Island and is one of the most popular hangout spots in Lagos, serving as a gathering place for the community. Evenings are buzzing, with live music attracting a crowd almost every night. Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens is one of the most serene spaces in Lagos, an immaculately landscaped, 2-acre green space featuring topiaries, sculptures, fountains, ponds and flower gardens. Various gazebos offer seating and shade.
Thinking about taking your nightlife escapades to the next level? Then think Fela Shrine a.k.a The New Afrika Shrine. From the genre of music to the inspirational story-telling lyrics, not forgetting the sacrosanct palm-wine, get ready to get a political education, a lesson in ‘shakin-it’ and a contact high! The New Afrika Shrine is an open-air entertainment centre located in Ikeja, Lagos State. It serves as the host location of the annual Felabration music festival. Currently managed by Femi Kuti and Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, it is the replacement of the old Afrika Shrine created in 1970 by Fela Kuti until it was burnt down in 1977. The New Afrika Shrine showcases photo galleries of Fela and musical performances by Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti, thus making it a tourist attraction.
Festac town was built for participants of the festival of arts and culture in 1977. The town has a rich cultural heritage and makes for a good place to visit for people looking to explore Lagos. Having being renovated and transformed by Fela’s famous children, The New Afrika Shrine is an entertainment sanctuary, a place to catch real fun for fun seekers. You can visit the shrine on Thursday night for a free show with Femi Kuti. Similarly, on the last Saturdays of the month, Seun Kuti, the last of the Fela’s boys does his thing (Afrobeats Sessions with Seun Kuti) on stage. At each jam session, you’ll enjoy getting educated about African politics. Plus it’s a god way to dance, socialize, and listen to good music. Discover a few extra details at this website.
Just outside of the flashy wealth of Lagos Island you’ll find the severely economically challenged community of Makoko, which is by some definitions the largest floating slum in the world. Definitely the most eye-opening thing to do in Lagos, you’ll witness a hugely marginalized but remarkably resilient community that subsists off the ocean and its own will power. A visit to the Makoko floating village requires some preparation to be sure you’re interacting with the community in a way that is respectful and not voyeuristic. To that end, it’s best to go with a local tour guide, though admittedly that can be a challenge to arrange. I went on a tour with the incredible Nigerian travel group Naija Nomads, who arranged for a boat tour through the village guided by the son of the head of the Makoko community. Note they arrange tours on a custom basis, so you can book a tour through them and see not only Makoko but a few of the other places on this list of things to do in Lagos too! Click here to check out their tours.