Buenos Aires, Argentina — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires (meaning fair winds in Spanish) has several enthralling attractions. Most siteseeing is best done by day, for aesthetic and precautionary purposes, and walking is the best (but by no means only) mode of transport in this intriguing city.
Visit the Cementerio de la Recoleta, home to the tomb of Eva Perón, the actress married to Argentina's President Juan Perón, or wander under the magnificent facades of the downtown area, favorable for its marvelous old European buildings. More enthusiastic sightseers can take a paddleboat from the promenade in Palermo and stroll through a prolific flower garden.
An absolute must for culture vultures is a trip to the Palermo Viejo district, with its charming cobblestone streets, bookstores, bars and boutiques, or an afternoon exploring the Caminito pedestrian street's arts and crafts in La Boca. Enjoy watching tango dancers in the cobblestone streets and take a tour of the La Bombonera Stadium, experience El Puerto de Buenos Aires during the day, or for a taste of history, visit the National Immigration Museum.
Visitors wanting to catch a show can do so at the Recoleta Cultural Center. Built in 1732, it was originally a convent connected to the Basílica del Pilar. Today it is a cultural center hosting concerts, live performances and screenings. The historical building also accommodates sculptures, paintings and photographs in different exhibitions, providing a fantastic sightseeing experience for any visitor to this exciting city.
Shopping in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires offers a wealth of authentic local treasures, from fine leather goods found in Murillo Street to Alfajores(traditional cake/cookies, often containing dulce de leche). Shops are generally open Monday through Friday from 9am to 8pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.
Florida Street and Lavalle Street are for pedestrians only, in the zona de calzadosthere are many shops that sell Tango shoes and the Palermo Viejo, in Palermo, has various shops that will appeal to young, artsy people. There are also numerous fairs and markets to be explored, including Recoleta Fair (located in the Francia Park) and the San Telmo market.
Feria Recoleta, in Plaza Francia, boasts an assortment of artisan goods. Take in the Plaza Serrano in Palermo Viejo and the Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo. Defensa Street is enticing as it comes alive with performers and vendors. Funky candles, street address plates and markers are available from Último Taller.
Shopping malls are a regular attraction and convenient shopping locations for many Porteños(people from the port). The most famous stores in Buenos Aires can be found in these vast malls, along with restaurants, cafés, arcades and movie theaters. Shopping malls are open 7 days a week from 10am to 10pm.
Buenos Aires Nightlife
Famed for its plethora of trendy clubs, fashionable music bars and attractive restaurants it's no wonder the city of Buenos Aires never sleeps. From the dimly lit tango bars and mainstream hard house dance clubs to the Teatro Colón and smaller independent theaters, there is something for just about everyone in this buzzing city.
In typical Latin fashion, dinner is very late and usually taken between 10 and 11pm and clubs only really get going at around 2am. Recoleta, Palermo, and Costanera are the trendiest neighborhoods for dance clubs and all the hippest locals can be found sipping on long drinks in the surrounding bars. It is not uncommon to find residents walking home at sunrise after a big night out on the town.
Culture vultures will simply adore the arts and culture scene here and plenty of Broadway-style hits can be found in both English and Spanish shows at most of the 30-odd professional and underground theaters in the San Telmo and Abasto neighborhoods.
Other than the usual run-of the-mill watering holes, there are also many bars in Buenos Aires offering shows such as flamenco dances, readings, tango and folkloric dance shows, and live acoustic music, providing a twist and bit of entertainment to accompany your usual evening drinks. The gay scene is Buenos Aires is thriving and rivals only that of Rio de Janeiro's in South America, with San Telmo being the main strip catering to this market with small gay bars and restaurants.
Attractions for Kids
For many children traveling in Buenos Aires, the chaos and hum and drum of the city can be quite intimidating, but look just a little further and you'll find an attraction tucked away in almost every corner and in just about every barrio(neighborhood). Buenos Aires is a great city to explore by foot, but for the more active, it is also extremely bicycle-friendly. Rent a bike and pedal your way round the leafy suburbs and side streets stopping off for the occasional attraction. Take the kids to the Nueve de Julio Avenue, claimed to be the widest avenue in the world, and admire the 220-foot-tall (67meter) obelisk in the center, marking the heart of Buenos Aires. Or for a slightly more cultural experience, take a stroll in Recoleta with the children past the Floralis Genérica, a working metal sculpture of a flower that opens and closes with the sun - the kids will be in awe! For those days when the sun isn't shining, head to one of the many indoor playgrounds or museums dotted around the city, such as the Museo de Los Ninos, or even the Galilieo Galilei Planetarium where children will have a great time stargazing and learning about the solar system.
