In the Melbourne Central Business District (CBD) you will find some of the best music venues, galleries, shops, public spaces, restaurants, and coffee shops that Melbourne has to offer. The idea is that you select somethings from the list below to plan your perfect trip into the CBD. Use the Google Maps link here to help locate things and be sure to buy tickets and make reservations where you can because the city can be busy, especially on weekends.

The Forum is one of the best live music venues in Melbourne and catching a gig here is one of the best nights you can have in the city. The venue has unmissable neo-gothic and classical architecture, and the blue-lit ceiling above the main dance floor creates the perfect twilight lighting all night long. Gig guide | Instagram | 154 Flinders St, Melbourne

Queen Victoria Market stands on the burial grounds of the Wurundjeri people, there are human remains of an estimated 9,000 people under the current market site. Queen Victoria Market was opened in 1878, and now it is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. If you are going you must try some fresh oysters from the meat and seafood shed, get a latte from Market Lane Coffee, try the Mussels at Mussel Pot, get a Gozleme from the deli section, buy some aged meats, and cheese and fresh fruit for a cheeseboard and much more. Website | Instagram | Queen St, Melbourne

Above KFC on Swanston Street, you will find the magical Miscellania, which is a club with one dancefloor and a rooftop bar, where the only requirement is a love for music and an open mind. Here you can find the Berlin party vibes with classic dance parties and all-day ravers. Instagram | RA Page | 2/401 Swanston St, Melbourne

Soi 38 is bringing big Bangkok energy to the Melbourne CBD serving up some of the best Thai food in the city from a car park just off Bourke Street. Lunch highlights include boat noodles and tom yum soup and for dinner think Thai barbeque, braised duck noodles, and/or crab noodles. Don't miss the boat noodles and mango sticky rice. Website | Uber Eats | Instagram | 38 Mcilwraith Pl, Melbourne

Angel has two small and intimate music rooms. Through the main entrance, you will find a long bar serving quality drinks and as you move to the back of the room you will find the first DJ booth on your right. Then, head outside and up the stairs to find the highlight of the venue an 80-person dancefloor set up with Funktion One sound. To view their gig guide check their Instagram Stories or their Resident Advisor (RA) page. 12 Bourke St, Melbourne

Pellegrini’s is one of Melbourne's true icons and they make one of the best espressos in the city, which makes sense as they may have been doing it the longest as they claim they brought the first espresso machine to Melbourne in 1954. However, there is much more to Pellegrini's than just excellent coffee. The food has a warmth that makes it feel like it was made just for you. The must-tries are the spaghetti bolognese and lasagne, and if it's a summer day you can't go past the watermelon granita. Instagram | 66 Bourke St, Melbourne

Federation Square opened to celebrate the centenary of Australia's Federation in 2001. Melbourne was long missing a public square and after failed attempts, the state government opened an Architectural Design Competition that received 177 entries. The winner was Melbourne-based Lab Architecture Studio directed by Donald Bates and Peter Davidson from London. Fed Square now hosts cultural events, markets, and live music and is a nice place to catch your breath while you watch a TED talk on the giant screen. Website | Instagram | Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne

The Koorie Heritage Trust is a cultural centre for the First Nations People of South-Eastern Australia. The gallery has historical artifacts including a possum skin ball which was used in early iterations of Australian Rules Football. The Trust is committed to passing down the oral history of the First Nations People and visitors can join workshops, educational walking tours, or participate in cross-cultural awareness training. Website | Instagram | The Yarra Building, Federation Square

The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia shines a spotlight on Australian artists through many styles of art including paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, photography, prints, drawings, and fashion. Also, keep an eye out for First Nations collections and shows as they are always a highlight at the gallery. Website | Federation Square, Corner of Flinders Street &, Russell Street, Melbourne

ACMI is Australia's national museum of screen culture. Celebrating film, television, and gaming with exhibitions, screenings, and events. Check this link to see what’s on. Website | Instagram | Fed Square, Melbourne

If you are chasing a caffeine hit while in the CBD, stop by Vacation for a coffee and a bit to eat. It is a small and simple space but the coffee is perfect every time. Website | Instagram | 1 Exhibition St, Melbourne

The Royal Botanic Gardens actually has two locations, but it is the Melbourne Gardens that has been impressing visits while they take some time to relax in the greenest part of the city. With over 50,000 individual plants and over 8,500 different plant species, you can explore these gardens for hours or bring a picnic and relax by the lake. If you are up for it, you could crack some laps around the 3.827km running track known as The Tan. Craig Mottram holds the record for the fastest time around the track at 10 minutes and 8 seconds. Website | Instagram | Birdwood Ave, South Yarra

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is the home of Australian sports with a capacity of more than 100,000 spectators. The first ever recorded game of Australia Rules Football was played on this land in 1858 and now the MCG hosts the AFL Grand Final each year. The Boxing Day Test Match is also an annual highlight and if you are a sports fan you can pay a visit to The Australia Sports Museum which is in the stadium. Surrounding the ground is the doggo-friendly Yarra Park, where you will find a number of statues immortalising some of the great athletes who completed it here. Check out this link to see what events are on at the MCG. Brunton Ave, East Melbourne

This scarred tree still stands in Yarra Park, just a drop punt away from the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The First Nations People would remove bark from the red gum to create canoes, shields, tools, and more. These scars or holes in the tree can still be seen today. This tree is believed to be between 200 - 800 years old and this area was an important meeting spot and a known corroboree site for the Wurundjeri people. Yarra Park, East Melbourne

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest, largest, and most visited art museum in Australia. The NGV opened in the south wing of the State Library in 1859 and it wasn't until 1967 that the gallery moved to St Kilda Road. Since 2012, Tony Ellwood has been the Director of the NGV and he is killing it. Some of his highlights include exhibiting shows from Keith Haring, David Hockney, Ai Weiwei, Andy Warhol, and Monet. Website | Instagram | 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 

Patricia Coffee Brewers is owned and run by best mates Bowen Holden and Pip Heath. The name Patricia comes from their respective grandmothers, who have been very influential in their lives. They serve their own seasonal roasted espresso blend (the 'Patricia Blend') and filter coffees while offering guest coffees to keep things interesting. Baked goods come from local favourites: All Are Welcome, Mörk, Small Batch, Sucette, and others. Website | Instagram | Rear of, 493-495 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Head Chef Andreas Papadakis stepped away from the kitchen at Vue de Monde to bring us Tipo 00, a must-loved Italian pasta bar in the heart of the CBD. Menu | Book a table | Instagram | 361 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

A relaxed open-air bar in the heart of the city with a focus on good music and nice drinks. Keep an eye on the events at Whitehart because some big names have played here. Website | Instagram | RA Page | 22 Whitehart Lane, Melbourne

Owner Chee Wong was inspired to name his restaurant after his mother-in-law Lulu Ong and you can find photographs of her cooking Malaysia’s favourite dish Char Kay Teow up on the walls in this Hardware Lane shop. Just like a hawker centre there are many ways to try Char Kay Teow here, pick between prawns, duck eggs, razor clams, squid, or vegetarian and the curry soups are also top-notch. Instagram | Order takeaway | 27-31 Hardware Ln, Melbourne 

Her has four levels of fun, on the ground level you will find the Her bar and all-day restaurant. Level 3 is home to the fast-paced BBQ Thai restaurant BKK and the Her rooftop is just above that but the place to visit is the much-loved Melbourne Music Room which can be found on level 1. Inspired by Japanese listening bars the Music Room has put vinyl records on a pedestal with three turntables elevated so you can always keep an eye on what the DJ is up to. This place is known to get busy but try your best to line up a spot on the couch because it's great to melt into. Website | Melbourne Music Room Instagram | 270 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

This was architect Joseph Reed’s first build in Australia, after which he built The Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens, The Melbourne and Geelong Town Halls’. The library's collection is vast and it is all viewable in the galleries. The dome-shaped La Trobe Reading Room is a must-see if you are nearby, and the grass lawn out the front of the building is a good lunch spot if you want some sun. Score some free wifi while you check out some Ned Kelly artifacts. Website | Instagram | 328 Swanston St, Melbourne

Hakata Gensuke is all about Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen to be exact, and if you are into delicious Japanese soup then this is a must-visit. Be prepared to cue but it’s all smiles as enter the shop and the team greets you as you sit down. If it's your first time, start with the Signature Tonkotsu and when you come back for more you can try the black or super spicey versions. Website | Instagram | 168 Russell St, Melbourne

The Art Noveau-styled Flinders Street Station was built in 1909. Since then it has become a cultural icon. It is probably Melbourne’s most photographed building and it is Australia’s busiest railway station. The building changes colour from day to night as it’s lit up by over 1,100 LED lights. So, stop by to check out the architecture or get on a train to get the fuck out of there. Corner of Flinders & Swanston

St Paul's Cathedral is built on the site where the first public Christian service in Melbourne was conducted in 1835. The cathedral was designed by the English Gothic Revival architect William Butterfield and completed in 1891. St Paul's is still operating at a church, but sometimes the space is opened up for live Melbourne event. The cathedral is a very special place to see live music as the acoustics are something else. Flinders Ln & Swanston St, Melbourne

This place is always busy! Serves up some of the best pho in da CBD and that why President Bill Clinton must have decided to go back for seconds when he visited the restaurant. But, seriously it’s damn good Pho for a great price. 241 Swanston St, Melbourne

If you have never been to the top of Curtin House, you have to check out Rooftop. Walk up the stairs or wait and take the lift if you must, but know when you get to the top you might have to fight for a spot in the sun, but if you find it you will never want to leave it. DJs spin tunes regularly. Website | Menu | Instagram | Listen | 252 Swanston St, Melbourne

Section 8 is an open-air shipping container bar right in the heart of the city with mighty fine music, from DJs to live bands depending on the party. Section 8 can be a nice place to chill during the day and the parties can kick off in the early afternoon. To find out what's on head to the Section 8 Instagram and check the stories. Website | 27-29 Tattersalls Ln, Melbourne

It’s always more fun if the club is underground, so drop down from Flinders Court and you will find an intimate dance floor in a club that prides itself on providing a safe space for everyone to have a good time and they do it all with Funktion One sound. Sub Club is open every Friday and Saturday night with events from Melbourne’s dance music community, check out their RA page for upcoming gigs. Website | Instagram | Flinders Ct, Melbourne