Auckland's lifestyle is influenced by the fact that while it is 70 percent rural in land area, 90 percent of Aucklanders live in urban areas – though large parts of these areas have a more suburban character than many cities in Europe and Asia.

Tourism in Auckland yields strong revenue for the New Zealand economy. Tourist attractions and landmarks in the Auckland region include:

• Auckland Civic Theatre – an internationally significant heritage atmospheric theatre built in 1929. It was renovated in 2000 to its original condition.
• Auckland Harbour Bridge – connecting central Auckland and the North Shore, an iconic symbol of Auckland.
• Auckland Town Hall – with its concert hall considered to have some of the finest acoustics in the world, this 1911 building serves both council and entertainment functions.
• Auckland War Memorial Museum – a large multi-exhibition museum in the Auckland Domain, known for its impressive neo-classicist style, built in 1929.
• Aotea Square – the hub of downtown Auckland beside Queen Street, it is the site of rallies and arts festivals.
• Aotea Centre – Auckland Civic Centre building completed in 1989.
• St Patrick's Cathedral – the Catholic Cathedral of Auckland. A 19th-century Gothic building which was renovated from 2003 to 2007 for refurbishment and structural support.
• Britomart Transport Centre – the main downtown public transport centre in a historic Edwardian building.
• Eden Park – the city's primary stadium and a frequent home for All Blacks rugby union and Black Caps cricket matches. It was the location of the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.^[126]
• Karangahape Road – known as "K' Road", a street in upper central Auckland with bars, clubs, smaller shops, and a former red-light district.
• Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium – an aquarium and Antarctic environment in the eastern suburb of Mission Bay, built in a set of former sewage storage tanks, showcasing penguins, turtles, sharks, tropical fish, sting rays and other marine creatures.
• MOTAT – the Museum of Transport and Technology, at Western Springs.
• Mt Smart Stadium – a stadium used mainly for rugby league and soccer matches, and also concerts.
• New Zealand Maritime Museum – features exhibitions and collections relating to New Zealand maritime history at Hobson Wharf, adjacent to Viaduct Basin.
• Ponsonby – a suburb and main street immediately west of central Auckland, known for arts, cafes, culture and historic villas.
• Queen Street – the main commercial thoroughfare of the CBD, running from Karangahape Road down to the harbour.
• Rainbow's End – amusement park with over 20 rides and attractions, based in Manukau.
• Sky Tower – the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, it is 328 m (1,076 ft) tall and has excellent panoramic views.
• Spark Arena – events centre in downtown Auckland completed in 2007. Holding 12,000 people, it is used for sports and concert events.
• Viaduct Basin – a marina and residential development in downtown Auckland, and the venue for the America's Cup regattas in 2000 and 2003.
• Western Springs Stadium – a natural amphitheatre used mainly for speedway races, rock and pop concerts.
• Old Mt Eden Prison – the old prison in Mount Eden that was used until 2008; more recently it has been used for protests and filming.

• Auckland Domain – one of the largest parks of the city, close to the CBD and having a good view of the harbour and of Rangitoto Island.
• Maungawhau / Mount Eden – a volcanic cone with a grassy crater. The highest natural point on the Auckland isthmus, it offers 360-degree views of the city and is thus a favourite tourist outlook.
• Takarunga / Mount Victoria – a volcanic cone on the North Shore with views of downtown Auckland. A brisk walk from the Devonport ferry terminal, the cone is steeped in history, as is nearby Maungauika (North Head).
• Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill – a volcanic cone that dominates the skyline in the southern inner suburbs. It no longer has a tree on the summit (after a politically motivated attack on the erstwhile tree) but is crowned by an obelisk.
• Rangitoto Island – guards the entrance to Waitematā Harbour and forms a prominent feature on the eastern horizon.
• Waiheke Island – the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf and known for its beaches, forests, vineyards and olive groves

When someday comes you'll need to get in.

When someday comes you'll need to be able to get around.