Gone are the days when the perfect weekend formula was simple: a borrowed car, a friend who knew every hidden gem in Naivasha, and just enough money for a boti.
That combo was all you needed to forget the horrors of adulting, at least until Monday dragged you back. In my glory days, Friday evenings meant club-hopping through Westlands and Nairobi West, hunting for whichever spot was cool that week.
Saturdays were for nursing the hangover with painkillers, only to go out and 'toa lock' again, then repeat. The winning formula, right?
Maybe it was our underdeveloped frontal lobes talking, but back then, that was the only "creative" way to spend a weekend.
We didn't own cars, and we definitely didn't want to end up stranded in Naivasha with the infamous wababaz so we kept our steam-release strictly within city limits.
Ten years later and Nairobi has changed. Clubs are no longer the only stress reliever.
The growth in the hospitality and entertainment scene has made it possible to travel, pick up new hobbies, and get on the self-improvement journey without losing the social element that made the old days fun in the first place.
Nairobi is no longer just party central. Nairobi is the city that can transform into anything you want.
Here are the different ways you can spend your Nairobi weekends.
For foodies
From wine and whiskey tastings that take you around the world in a single glass, to bespoke culinary experiences and food clubs that bring Nairobi's food enthusiasts together to eat and network.
It is safe to say that the city's food scene has exploded.
World-renowned chefs and hoteliers are now bringing years of culinary expertise straight to the city, turning a simple meal out into an event worth planning your weekend around.
For thrill-seekers
For the adrenaline enthusiasts, a go-karting session can turn the track into your own personal F1 circuit, while running clubs have quietly become the new place to keep fit and land a date. Shopping malls have gotten in on the action too.
Adventure parks and indoor playgrounds for both children and adults have taken over. Zip-lining, VR gaming, trampoline parks, and gravity-defying drop towers have replaced the food court and cinema combo that used to be the default mall outing.
The wild side
Have you ever met a Nairobi resident who has never seen a lion? I have. And I had a few words for them, because it makes no sense when Nairobi National Park is both accessible and affordable. Why would you let your children learn about the Big Five from Cocomelon when they could see wildlife in person for less than Sh200?
In the last year, KWS reported that 60 percent of park visitors were domestic tourists, proof that Kenyans are embracing their own backyard.
The city is also home to forests like Karura and Oloolua, with trails perfect for scenic walks or runs if you want to stay fit, and just as perfect if you simply want a breath of fresh air.
Jack of all trades
If you ever wanted to learn a fun new skill to keep your life interesting, or simply for bragging rights, Nairobi has no shortage of options.
Sip-and-paint events, sneaker painting, pottery, knitting classes, mixology, carpentry and even glass blowing. Would you use the skills you gained? Maybe not. But you had fun, flexed your creative side, and walked away with photos that'll give your followers a little FOMO.
I have been on a journey to experience the most that Nairobi has to offer. The truth is, some of these experiences take planning and saving up for but that shouldn't stop you.
Plenty of them are just as accessible as they are unforgettable. Nairobi was never just the party city. It just took us a decade, and a few too many hangovers, to notice.
