AVE you experienced the Nelson Mandela Bridge ride yet? If not, you're the loser because not only is it rather grand driving over the Bridge but also once over, Newtown is at your doorstep, and Newtown is where it's all happening these days.

Here are the directions. Proceed along Jan Smuts Avenue towards the CBD. As you top the crest in Braamfontein, take a big breath - the majestic Nelson Mandela Bridge is straight ahead of you. Enjoy the view of the tall cables and four massive support poles soaring into the sky. While sitting at one of the robots savour the western edge of the cityscape, with the glass diamond-shaped JSE building dominating the view, alongside other city skyscrapers.

Move through the robots but don't forget to look right at the huge blown-up artwork "Walkie Talkie", one of the entrants in the Cell C art competition last year. It takes up three sides of the building, so you can admire it going into the city centre, and coming out again.

As you move over the bridge, look left and you'll see another blown-up artwork - a landscape entitled "Lesheba 1". In all, the city has 65 artworks decorating its buildings.

Carry on over the bridge and keep your gaze straight ahead to view the next artwork surprise. It's the bright and colourful "4 The City" depicted in metal tools against a blue and red background.

Other buildings will come into focus: the spanking-new, striking ochre and grey Metro Mall, filled with minibus taxis and hawker stalls. There's a vast array of stalls, and indigenous restaurants in the food hall, all against a backdrop of murals painted by local artists.

You're about to reach Newtown. You'll know you're in Newtown because each curved intersection is lined with attractive woodenhead bollards on concrete bases - you can't miss them.

Don't get too carried away now because as soon as you're over the bridge you must turn right at the first robot, into Carr Street in Newtown. You'll notice the lovely old Park Station metal and glass shell, originally erected in Johannesburg in 1897. The vacant land on either side of the road is waiting development of 2 000 housing units, to be called Brickfields.

Take a left at the next robot, into Bezuidenhout Street. And now, if you're going to the Market Theatre, or to Kippies nightclub or the trendy, newly opened Moyo restaurant, you should take a right into safe parking behind Kippies.

Otherwise, cruise along slowly so you can take in the next two artworks. First is "Anna" by Gerard Sekoto. A couple of buildings along is the prophetic "Jo'burg Man". He's a giant worker walking through the streets of old Joburg. Very striking.

There's a bit of graffiti on the walls further on, but it's sure to be removed soon in the final refurbishment of Newtown. The next wall has a delightfully flowing mosaic pattern along it, partly obscured by some trees - looks great.

Now you're in the heart of the action, and it's only taken a few minutes from Braamfontein to get here. If you turn right into Jeppe Street you've got Mary Fitzgerald Square on your right, where you can park and visit the MuseuMAfricA. Just beyond the Square is the Oriental Plaza, where you can enjoy great samoosas and shopping. And watch out for two more artworks at the Plaza.

Or you can take the next turn, Ferreira Street, and park outside the Electric Workshop, and catch some of the music that happens there. Across the road is the Turbine Hall, also a cool music venue. Glance too at the artworks on these buildings - there are three on the Turbine hall and one on the Electric Workshop building.

The Electric Workshop is to become a science exploration centre in the coming months, so watch out for that for the kids. Next door is the Shivava Restaurant.

The Dance Factory is behind the Electric Workshop, where dance classes, workshops and performances take place. An exciting place. And across the road is the Horror Café, which has great jazz happenings, and next door is the SAB World of Beer, if you haven't had enough drinks.

If you're feeling in the mood for some wonderful craft, carry on up Bezuidenhout Street, turn right into President Street and go down a block to the Bus Factory and the Beautiful Things exhibition. There's a display of wonderful arts and crafts from around the country, available to buy in the shop. And there's safe parking right in front of the building.

Newtown is now well lit, with ample parking, security cameras and security guards on most corners.

And at night, the Bridge looks magical, lit right into the sky.

As Aggrey Klaaste, chairman of the Johannesburg Tourism Company, says: "Nelson Mandela is no ordinary man, and the Nelson Mandela Bridge is no ordinary bridge."

Related stories:

• Newtown: your guide