The Apartheid Museum offers a powerful journey through South Africa’s apartheid era. Multimedia exhibits, artefacts, photographs, and interactive displays depict the struggles, protests, and resilience of those affected by racial segregation. Visitors experience life in the townships, the 1976 Soweto uprising, and the stories of political prisoners. The museum culminates in a reflective space celebrating democracy and human rights, highlighting the country’s journey from oppression to freedom. Guided tours are available by appointment.

The Bensusan Museum of Photography, established with Dr Arthur Bensusan’s 1968 donation, showcases the history of photography from early shadow puppets to modern cinema. Its collection includes 400 antique cameras, 5,000 photographs, rare negatives, and photographic books, including a William Fox Talbot negative and Winston Churchill’s camera. Interactive features include a unique camera obscura offering a 360° view of Newtown. The museum highlights photography’s evolution and South Africa’s visual history through engaging exhibits and archives.

The Ditsong National Museum of Military History, opened in 1947, is South Africa’s premier military museum. Its collection of over 44,000 items includes rare World War I and II aircraft, tanks, armaments, medals, uniforms, and war art. Highlights include the unique ME 262 jet fighter and displays on resistance movements such as Umkhonto weSizwe. The museum also offers school and group tours, interactive exhibits for children, and facilities for conferences and functions, providing a comprehensive look at military history and heritage.

George Harrison Park commemorates the man who discovered gold in 1886, sparking the growth of Johannesburg into South Africa’s largest city. The park features two original mine shafts and offers sweeping views of the city. The original 10-stamp battery mill used to crush ore has been relocated to the mining district on Main Street in downtown Johannesburg.

Gold Reef City is a recreation of turn-of-the-century Johannesburg following the 1886 gold rush. Visitors can explore Victorian houses, geological displays, and Shaft No. 14, which operated from 1887 to 1971. Underground tours showcase historic and modern mining techniques, while surface attractions include live gold pouring demonstrations, guided tours in period costume, and the world’s deepest pub. Accessible via the N12 (Xavier Street exit) or M2 West (Boise’s exit).

The Hector Pieterson Museum commemorates the 1976 Soweto uprising and its young victims, named after Hector Pieterson, whose iconic photograph captured the tragedy. Located next to the memorial in a declared national heritage site, the museum guides visitors along ramps with views of key locations like Orlando Stadium and the police station. Exhibits include archival footage, and visitors can record personal stories. Knowledgeable guides, including Hector’s sister Antoinette Sithole, provide insight into the events that shaped South Africa’s liberation struggle.

The James Hall Museum of Transport, established in 1964 by James “Jimmie” Hall and the City of Johannesburg, is South Africa’s largest land-transport museum. Its 2,500-item collection spans over a century, featuring animal-drawn carts, bicycles, motorcycles, steam and electric vehicles, trams, trains, and vintage cars. Housed across multiple halls, the museum preserves the history of transport in Johannesburg, offering an educational and engaging experience for school groups, enthusiasts, and international visitors.

Built over 100 years ago, the Johannesburg Art Gallery is the city’s oldest art museum, with a collection of more than 10,000 works. It features historical and Southern African cultural pieces alongside a growing contemporary collection. Exhibitions typically run for three months, showcasing works from the gallery’s holdings as well as local and international contemporary artists. Visitors are also welcome to explore JAG’s extensive art library for research and reference.

The Kliptown Museum tells the story of the thousands who contributed to South Africa’s Freedom Charter. Through photographs, news clippings, art, song, and narration, visitors experience the 1955 Kliptown gathering. Artefacts from witnesses of the charter signing are on display, while oral testimonies and period songs play in the background. The museum offers an immersive insight into the struggle for democracy and the collective efforts that shaped the nation’s historic vision.