Things to do in Buenos Aires
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Galería Güemes
Here’s a fun fact for die-hard fans of The Little Prince : Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once lived in an apartment here in the glittering Galería Güemes, now a shopping gallery and theater complex. The French pilot/writer met his wife, an El Salvadorean painter, at a demonstration in the streets of Buenos Aires, and Night Flight was based on his experience flying post in South America.
reviewed
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Argentina, Amazon & Peru
48 days (Buenos Aires)
by Intrepid
Stay in an Amazon Jungle lodge near Puerto MaldonadoNot LP reviewed
from USD$5,040 -
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El Obrero
Ironically, the exterior of BA’s most famous bodegón (workers’ cafe; obrero translates as workers or working-class) is often illuminated by the flash of paparazzi bulbs as local celebrities pull up for high-profile dinners of roasted ribs and milanesa (fried steak). If your limo doesn’t arrive after dinner, don’t be tempted to walk – take a taxi, La Boca’s a tough ‘hood.
reviewed
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National Historical Museum
This national historical museum is located at the supposed site of Pedro de Mendoza’s original founding of the city in 1536. Major figures of Argentine historical periods, such as San Martín, Rosas and Sarmiento, are represented, along with a few artifacts and paintings. Exhibits are a bit sparse, but the security is great – be prepared to hand over your bag while you look around.
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Palacio Paz
This gorgeous palace, also called the Círculo Militar, was once the private residence of José C Paz, founder of the still-running newspaper La Prensa. Inside are ornate rooms, salons and halls with wood-tiled floors, marble walls and gilded details. Nearly everything was ordered from Europe and assembled here. Tours in English (AR$34) are at 3:30pm Wednesday and Thursday.
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Janio
Still one of the trendiest, most popular restaurant-bars in the neighborhood, Janio boasts an excellent corner location on Plaza Palermo Viejo. By day lounge at a sidewalk table watching the crowd, while at night the airy rooftop terrace is an excellent hangout. Nibble from the international menu while sipping a frozen margarita or cool whiskey shot – you’re with the cool crowd now.
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Palais de Glace
The name (and circular shape) give it away – the Palais de Glace was once the ice-skating rink of BA’s high society. The glamorous belle-epoque structure, built in 1910, also served as a tango ballroom before being declared a National Monument in 2004. Now the landmark building exhibits visual arts; on weekend afternoons, guided tours of the building (in English) start at 5pm (bookings required).
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Six Feet
Urban skater fashion has hit BA hard at this sporty hipster’s boutique heaven. Slip into a pair of reversible shorts, trendy stenciled T-shirt or Vans-type shoes. Quality is high and the designs are well thought out. It’s all men’s clothing, though tough chicks wouldn’t look bad in some of these fashions, either. Check out the outlet down the street at Gurruchaga 1653.
reviewed
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El Verde
What sets this downtown pub apart is its orientation toward a hip, older scene. You may not find anyone under 50 here, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s sporting a cane. Live music and dancing gets the old blood going, and this place can really rock – it gets as loud and hoppin’ as any of its younger counterparts. Boar heads on the walls add a touch of quirkiness.
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Plaza Asturias
The dated decor at Plaza Asturias assures you that this is no cutting-edge Spanish eatery – no foams, mousses or organic produce here, just heaping portions of shrimp, mussels and clams tossed with garlic and herbs. Try the pungent cazuela de mariscos (seafood stew; a flavorful antidote to the meat-heavy cuisine at other restaurants) that will jolt your palate and clear up your sinuses.
reviewed
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Winery
One of several slick chain stores that offer a large selection of Argentine wines. Some branches have attractive wine bars where you can taste certain selections; at this location sample up to 20 different wines by the glass (five for AR$30). The café and wine shop are upstairs, the modern lounge-restaurant downstairs. There’s another branch with just a café in the Microcentro.
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Parque 3 de Febrero
Also known as Bosques de Palermo, or Palermo Woods, this sweeping green space abounds with small lakes and paddleboats, pretty gazeboes, stands renting bikes and in-line skates, a monument to literary greats called El Jardín de los Poetas (the Garden of Poets), and the exquisite Rosedal (rose garden.) Watch your step at night, when Av de la Infanta Isabel becomes a transvestite red-light zone.
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Tea Connection
Tea lovers in BA no longer have to settle for plain black leaves anymore. At this attractive corner café are 30 kinds of tea to choose from, including various kinds of black, red, green and infusion teas. The menu even instructs how long to soak the teabag and the ideal temperature. Sandwiches, salads, vegetable tarts and creative rolls all make good snacks, and breakfast is also served.
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Buenos Aires Bike Tour: Recoleta and Palermo Districts
4 hours (Departs Buenos Aires, Argentina)
by Viator
See two of northern Buenos Aires’ best-known districts – Recoleta and Palermo – on a fun and entertaining bike tour. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll enjoy…Not LP reviewed
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Complejo Tango
For those who wish to not only watch tango but also experience it, there’s this classy venue in Balvanera. Should you choose to accept it, your first hour here is a free beginning tango lesson. Follow it up with a tasty dinner, then a fine tango show – beware, however, as the performers go around towards the end, picking out audience members to dance with them (usually badly).
reviewed
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Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour
3 hours (Departs Buenos Aires, Argentina)
by Viator
Discover Buenos Aires’ must-see sights on this 3-hour sightseeing coach tour. You’ll hit all the top attractions and neighborhoods, including Plaza de Mayo,…Not LP reviewed
from USD$18.99 -
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Casa de la Cultura
Before the internet, apparently, there was glamour in the newsroom. Step through the huge cast-iron doors of the Casa de la Cultura (Office of Culture) into a vestige of the golden age of newspaper journalism. The lobby’s dark-wood kiosks and a display of old-fashioned printing equipment hark back to the days when the building was the headquarters of the daily La Prensa newspaper.
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La Cava de El Querandí
This contemporary, warm wine bar and restaurant reflects the change in attitude to Argentinean wines, which have gone from quaffers to amazing quality in a short period of time. Choose a brilliant red and settle in with some cheese and cold meats for starters followed by a steak. Their big restaurant next door is packed with locals for lunch and tourists at night for the slick tango show.
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Lola
Sophisticated and elegant, revamped Lola is as fresh as the flowers that adorn its tables. A BA institution, it attracts a cross section of BA's movers and shakers. Its French-focused menu unapologetically offers up classics such as duck magret, salmon with champagne sauce and tenderloin with mushroom sauce, but also treats salads and vegetables with the same respect - rare in this town.
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Empire Thai
The sultry lighting and sumptuous decor are your first clue that this place isn’t a traditional ethnic diner; the second is when you’re still hungry after finishing your noodles. Never mind – the scrumptious peanut satay and the moody New York ambiance draw a cool crowd, and flavors like coconut and lemongrass give your palate a rest from all the steak you’ve probably consumed elsewhere.
reviewed
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Status
Raw shark and a purple corn cocktail? It tastes much better than it sounds, Status’ devotees will guarantee you. This no-frills eatery, packing in a nightly crowd with roasted chicken and rice, fresh shark ceviche (lemon-marinated fish), creamy potatoes and cinnamon-topped pisco sours, is a gastronomic standout in a part of town that’s rife with traditional Peruvian restaurants.
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Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA)
Sparkling inside its glass walls, this airy modern arts museum is BA’s fanciest. Art patron Eduardo Costantini displays his limited but fine collection, which includes work by Argentines Xul Solar and Antonio Berni, plus some pieces by Mexicans Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. A cinema screens art-house films, and there’s an excellent cafe for watching the beautiful people.
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Buenos Aires Dining Experience: Empanada Making, Steak, Wine, Alfajores and Mate
3 hours 30 minutes (Departs Buenos Aires, Argentina)
by Viator
Experience the best of Argentine culture and cuisine, and meet people from all over the world by participating in Buenos Aires' only interactive dining…Not LP reviewed
from USD$99.99 -
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La Dorita
Back-to-basics La Dorita grills up well-priced steaks served in a casual atmosphere – televised fútbol games indoors, sidewalk tables outdoors. The parrilla (grill restaurant) is so popular with locals that it’s grown a bigger sibling, La Dorita Enfrente, on the same intersection. Order the house wine and a mini parrillada (mixed grill) of three different cuts of beef.
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Deep Blue
As the name implies, there’s plenty of blue around, including the many pool-table surfaces (though upstairs they’re orange). Corrugated metal ceilings and a rowdy DJ contribute to the feisty atmosphere, where beer taps are built into your table and the neon gives everyone a robotic sheen. For even more blurry vision order a few shots of the hundred-odd whiskies available.
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