Napier Napier, according
to Fodor's, claims to have "the most significant collection of art-deco buildings
in the world." They may be only half right: the downtown street level area
has a rather tawdry collection of covered souvenir and coffee shops. On the
second story facade, the art-deco style can still be seen on many buildings.
To be fair, there are several entire buildings to be seen
that hearken back to the 1930s. But overall, the downtown was not particularly
attractive.
Along Napier's waterfront is the Marine Parade where
strollers can stop at the aquarium, Marineland, a skate park, a public swimming
pool, well manicured public gardens, the Kiwi House, Hawke's Bay Museum,
and the "The Spirit of Napier" statue.
For Napier, nostalgia is big business. There are city
tours, museums, posters, costume shops, old car rallies, and other events
that capitalize on 1930s themes and motifs.
