Before you go cancelling that accommodation, let's take a look at how you can spend your time Wagga before heading home.

First off, there are still some Mardi Gras-related events that haven't been cancelled.

The big do might have fallen victim to the threat of coronavirus, but not everything has fallen through. Wagga Mardi Gras organisers have urged everyone to make the most of their time in the city. There's plenty happening in town tonight on Friday night and doors to the Aja and Shilow plus Melbourne drag show open at 7pm at Que.

Check out what the city's cafes and restaurants have on offer - you won't be disappointed. Thaigga, Uneke, Birdhouse, Bay 86, Oakroom, G Thai, Cave, Indian Tandoori Tavern, Pot n Kettle, Giueseppe's... the list goes on. Just go for a browse along both ends of the main street and then argue with your company over where to go to next. If dessert's what you're after, it's hard to beat Harans and Melba's.

Take your pic(nic) of spots to sit and relax. There's no shortage of delights you can add to the basket and head to Victory Memorial Gardens, in the middle of the main streets. Or go a couple of blocks west and set up in Collins Park, or head out to the biggest of them all - the Botanic Gardens.

If you want to sweat it out a little, there's a 5.5-kilometre walking track around one of the city's jewels (when it's full). Head out to the southern suburbs and go for a mosey - or a sprint, up to you - around the lake. If you start at Apex Park there's space to drop the car off. But we won't judge if you park your car at Wagga Boat Club, head out for the walk and stop for lunch or a refreshment at the tail end of the loop.

Head down to Thirsty Crow Brewery in Fitzmaurice Street and get your hands on some local beers. And if you don't know your IPA from your sporting ale, don't stress - there's plenty of other things to choose from.

Saturday's the day for open houses so why not get around and check out what local market's looking like. At the very least, you get to engage in some hands-on real estate porn. And who knows, you might just find something you like. Here's what's open this weekend, and here's our house of the week.

One of Wagga's favourite little bars has a beautiful deal on the weekends. Picture this: you, your friends, the coolest background tunes, mimosas in the sunshine. It's the best $20 you'll spend all weekend, it starts at noon and goes through to 3pm. The sweet potato fries are bang on if you need a carb hit to help you recover from Friday night. Where, I hear you ask? Birdhouse. Every Saturday and Sunday.

The city's museums have plenty to offer - the National Art Glass Gallery near Wollundry Lagoon is a great place to start. There's the Wagga Rail Heritage Station Museum at the southern end of Baylis Street, opening at 11am on Saturday, and travelling exhibitions can be found at the Museum of the Riverina's historic council chambers site across from the Victory Memorial Gardens. Unfortunately the Wagga Sporting Hall of Fame's usual home is under redevelopment but you can take in the Good Sports: Wagga's Home-grown Heroes exhibition at the Museum of the Riverina.

It'll be hard to beat Wagga favourites The Mighty Yak at the Union on Friday night - and then Deja Groove on Saturday. On Saturday, The Vic has Rocket 88 from 8.30pm, Dan's in the beer garden at the Sporties, and trans band Transista Groove is live at Romano's at 8pm. Oh, and the Palm and Pawn has a great Sunday sesh from 3pm.

Wagga has more pubs than you can poke a stick at, so get your map out and take your pick. There's a huge playground at the Palm and Pawn in North Wagga, if family friendly's what you're looking for. It's laid back at the Sporties in Central, where happy hour makes for $6 pints for two hours on weekend afternoons. The green wall at the Vic makes for a pleasant atmosphere and the balcony at the Union is breezy and excellent. And we haven't even touched on the laneway cool of Romano's or the relaxing spaces at the William Farrer, Farmers Home or Black Swan.

Our beach is up there with the best in Australia, the experts said so. In the heart of the city you'll find the ninth-best beach in the country. So what if it's inland? We've got sand, we've got water, we've even got a wave.

Easter might be weeks away but like you need an excuse to go on a chocolate hunt. Jump in the car and head to Junee and hit up the chocolate factory. It's half an hour in the car each way and worth every minute.

If you feel like sweating it out, there's a little rock out the road you can hike up and end up feeling like you're on top of the world. Head south out of Wagga along the Olympic Highway and follow the signs for The Rock. You can't miss it.

You've got another night here, right, and it's not exactly cold? Jump in the car and head up to the Snowy Valleys for the day. Head for Tumbarumba and check out Paddy's River Falls. Take the longer way home and stop for a little hike around the historic gold mill ruins at Adelong and cool off in the creek at your leisure.

Now this one is a Sunday thing only, but it's worth sticking around for. Break out the covered-in shoes and go for a little train ride through the Botanic Gardens. It's only $2 a trip!