Things to do in La Rioja
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A
Catedral
The enormous and spectacular neo-Byzantine 1899 catedral contains the image of patron saint Nicolás de Bari, an object of devotion for both riojanos (people who live in La Rioja) and the inhabitants of neighboring provinces.
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Casa de Joaquín V González
One of Argentina's greatest educators, and founder of the Universidad de La Plata, lived in the Casa de Joaquín V González.
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Museo Folklórico
The hugely worthwhile Museo Folklórico is set in a wonderful early-17th-century adobe building, and has fine displays on various aspects of the region’s culture. Themes include chaya (local La Rioja music) and the Tinkunaco festival, weaving (with bright traditional wallhangings colored with plant extracts) and winemaking. The lagar (stretched leather used for treading the grapes) is quite a sight, as is the room that deals with mythology, including a demanding series of rituals required to sell your soul to the devil hereabouts. The informative guided tour is excellent if your Spanish is up to it.
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La Vieja Casona
Cheerfully lit and decorated, this is a cracking place with a great range of regional specialties, creative house choices and a long menu of standard Argentine dishes – the parrillada here is of excellent standard. There’s a fair selection of La Rioja wines, too, and wonderful smells wafting from the busy kitchen.
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Corona del Inca
Runs summer excursions up to high, remote parts of the Andes in the west of the province. Also one of several operators who run excursions around the province, including visits to the Parque Nacional Talampaya, which invariably includes the nearby Parque Provincial Ischigualasto ('Valle de la Luna') in San Juan province.
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Café del Paseo
This is your spot on the corner of Plaza 25 de Mayo to observe La Rioja life. The cell-phone clique mingles with families and tables of older men chewing the fat over another slow-paced La Rioja day. It’s a fine place to try Argentina’s favorite mixed drink – Fernet Branca with cola.
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Convento de Santo Domingo
Built in 1623 by the Diaguita under the direction of Dominican friars, the picturesque Convento de Santo Domingo is Argentina’s oldest monastery. The date appears in the carved algarrobo doorframe, also the work of Diaguita artists.
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El Marqués
No surprises are on the menu here at this simple but effective local eatery. Pasta, pizza, omelets and grilled meats are well prepared and fairly priced. The fruit licuados are delicious.
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Museo Inca Huasi
A couple of blocks from the plaza, this curious museum, run by monks, has a notable collection of pre-Columbian ceramics from the region from a number of different cultures.
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La Aldea de la Virgen de Luján
Though serving good-value breakfasts and a fairly predictable range of dinner options, lunchtime is the place to be at this spot, when it offers a good range of regional specialties.
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K
Tomato
Chunky lomitos and decent pizza and pasta with big flatscreen TVs and outdoor seating make this a popular choice near the plaza. There’s good cheap Rioja wine on hand, too.
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Mercado Artesanal de la Rioja
La Rioja crafts are exhibited and sold at the excellent Mercado Artesanal de La Rioja, as are other popular artworks at prices lower than most souvenir shops.
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Convento de San Francisco
The curious neo-Gothic Convento de San Francisco houses the image of the Niño Alcalde, a Christ-child icon symbolically recognized as the city’s mayor.
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Stanzza
One of the best places to eat in town, this friendly neighborhood restaurant serves up imaginative seafood and Italian dishes in an intimate environment.
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New Milenium
If you’re up for a late night you can show the locals your latest disco moves at New Milenium, opposite the Colegio Nacional.
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Escuela Normal de Maestros
The neoclassical Escuela Normal de Maestros, the teachers' school situated on Pelagio Luna, dates from 1884.
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Noche de Brujas
Noche de Brujas is a popular central bar- boliche with a Halloween theme.
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Asia
If you’re up for a late night try the packed and cheerful disco Asia.
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