Bustling bars, funky shops and edgy art galleries make up the heart and soul of Brisbane’s most iconic nightlife district.

A walk through Fortitude Valley is guaranteed to be full of fun surprises at any time of the day or night.

Explore your artistic side at the Institute of Modern ArtOpens in a new window. This vibrant space has a rich history of nurturing the local arts community and offers an eclectic schedule of free exhibitions and public lectures.

Catch a show at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary ArtsOpens in a new window, where you can choose from dance, cabaret, performance art or music.

Hunt for a bargain at the Fortitude Valley Markets. Wander through the great collection of stalls on a sunny weekend morning and check out bespoke fashion, bric-a-brac and designer homewares.

Grab brunch or high-quality coffee at one of the gourmet cafes on nearby James Street, one of the trendiest places to eat in the whole city. Drink a cold beer at one of the alfresco bars that line the Brunswick Street Mall or head out for some serious clubbing with the thousands of locals that come here to let off steam on a Friday night.

Time your visit to coincide with some of the great music festivals that happen throughout the year. Valley Fiesta and Bigsound Live are both big events on Brisbane’s live music calendar.

Eat some delicious food in the pedestrian mall in Chinatown. Visit this hub of multicultural restaurants to sample cuisine from countries such as Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and China.

Browse the funky shops that line Brunswick Street. This is a great place to update your wardrobe, get a new haircut or pick up some cool gifts.

Move your body to the beat at one of the live music shows that this district is famous for. Head to local favourite, The Zoo, or check out some of the newer venues that regularly pop up.

Wander some of the laneways to find some hidden shopping gems and take photos of the interesting graffiti. Try Bakery Lane or Winn Lane for fashion, food and fun.

This inner-city neighbourhood is bursting with creative energy. Make sure you stop by for a little taste of what this city has to offer.