The four-story National Museum of Ethiopia is home to one of the country's oldest and most famous inhabitants: Lucy, the skeleton of a 3.2 million-year-old hominid discovered near Hadar in 1974. Although she is undergoing study and is therefore not accessible to the public, the museum displays a reconstruction of the skeleton as well as the model of an even older skeleton, known as Selam, discovered in 2006. You can also explore artifacts, clothes and jewelery from the various cultures that have inhabited Ethiopia; a modern art exhibit is another highlight. The museum requires a small entrance fee. Addis Ababa's Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum provides a more somber experience, detailing the history of bloodshed, torture and famine under the Derg military junta that ruled Ethiopia in the 1970s and 1980s. While admission is free, donations are accepted.
Of the more than 40,000 churches and monasteries in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa's Holy Trinity Cathedral ranks among the most important. At the cathedral you'll find the tomb and throne of revered former emperor Haile Selassie as well as a collection of religious and imperial artifacts. St. George's Cathedral, named for the legendary dragon-slaying saint, also merits a visit, having been built by Emperor Menelik II in honor of a victory against Italian colonizers. The Church of St. Mary, painted in Ethiopia's national colors of green, yellow and red, lies in the Entoto Hills on the northern edge of Addis Ababa. From behind the church you can find a panoramic view of the city below. Next to the church is a former palace and a museum that can be visited.
Housing almost 15,000 businesses spread out over a sprawling space of almost a half a square mile, Addis Ababa's massive Mercato stands as one of Africa's largest open-air markets. More than 200,000 shoppers visit the Mercato every day, with Saturdays being the busiest day of the week. Among the maze of shops, you'll find spices, coffee beans, jewelry, shoes, swords, pottery, baskets, paintings and countless other items. Even if you do not plan on shopping, the Mercato merits a visit just to watch the diverse array of shoppers and traders it attracts. Because of its size and confusing layout, you might wish to employ a guide for your visit. The Mercato is closed on Sundays.
Ethiopia is not just the birthplace of early mankind, it's also the home of what keeps civilization running: coffee. To pay tribute, you can visit Tomoca, a coffee house located on Wavel Street. Locals rank the small cafe among the best in the city. Enjoy a coffee, macchiato or espresso at one of the cafe's three tables while admiring a map detailing Ethiopia's coffee regions. For dining, check out Bole Road, a long strip of restaurants and nightclubs. Habesha is one of the strip's more noteworthy restaurants, featuring traditional Ethiopian food -- flavorful meat and vegetable dishes soaked up by spongy injera bread -- along with music and dancing.
