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Ipanema Beach
Although the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon are one long beach, the postos (posts) along them subdivide the beach into areas as diverse as the city itself. Posto 9, right off Rua Vinícius de Moraes, is Garota de Ipanema, which is where Rio's most lithe and tanned bodies tend to migrate. The area is also known as the Cemetério dos Elefantes because of the handful of old leftists, hippies and artists who sometimes hang out there.
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Jardim Botânico
This exotic 137-hectare garden, with over 5500 varieties of plants, was designed by order of the Prince Regent Dom João in 1808. It's quiet and serene on weekdays and blossoms with families and music on weekends. The row of palms (planted when the garden first opened), the Amazonas section and the lake containing the huge Vitória Régia water lilies are some of the highlights. A pleasant outdoor café overlooks the gardens. Take insect repellent.
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Jardim Zoológico
Covering over 120,000 sq meters, the zoo at Quinta da Boa Vista has a wide variety of reptiles, mammals and birds - mostly indigenous to Brazil. Special attractions include the large walk-through aviary and the night house, which features nocturnal animals. The monkey house is also a crowd favorite.
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Joquei Clube
One of the country's loveliest racetracks, with a great view of the mountains and Corcovado, the Joquei Clube (Jockey Club) seats 35,000 and lies on the Gávea side of the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas opposite Praça Santos Dumont. Local race fans are part of the attraction - it's a different slice of Rio life. Tourists are welcome in the members' area, which has a bar overlooking the track.
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Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
One of the city's most picturesque spots, Lagoa has 7.2km of cycling/walking path around the lake. Bikes are available for hire near Parque Brigadeiro Faria Lima. There's also a helipad on the shoreline for those who want a bird's eye of the cidade maravilhosa. It may sound cheesy, but hiring a paddle boat is another way to enjoy the lake, especially when the Christmas tree is lit up across the water.
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Largo das Neves
A slice of small-town life in the city, this small square is the gathering point of neighborhood children and families who lounge in the benches by day. At night, the bars surrounding the square come alive with revelers crowding the walks. At times, MPB bands perform to a young crowd here. Largo das Neves is the terminus of the Paula Matos bonde line.
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Largo do Boticário
The brightly painted houses on this picturesque square date from the early 19th century. Largo do Boticário was named in honor of the Portuguese gentleman - Joaquim Luiz da Silva Souto - who once ran a boticário (apothecary), utilized by the royal family. The sound of a brook coming from the nearby forest adds to the square's charm. Occasional art and cultural events are hosted here.
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Largo do Guimarães
The square named after Joaquim Fonseca Guimarães (a local resident whose house became Hotel Santa Teresa just up the road) now forms the center of bohemian Santa Teresa. A festive Carnaval street party originates here, and a number of restaurants, handicrafts and thrift shops lie within a short distance of here.
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Leblon Beach
Leblon attracts a broad mix of single Cariocas, as well as families from the neighborhood. Posto 10 is for sport lovers, with ongoing volleyball, soccer and frescobal (played with wooden racquets and a rubber ball) games. There's also Baixo Bebê, between posts 11 and 12, where affluent parents with children migrate.
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Maracanã Football Stadium
Brazil's temple of soccer easily accommodates more than 100,000 crazed fans, but on certain occasions, such as the 1950 World Cup match, or Pelé's last game, it has squeezed in close to 200,000 (it has now been modified to hold fewer). If you like sports, if you want to understand Brazil, or if you just want an intense, quasi-psychedelic experience, then by all means go see a game of futebol , preferably a championship game or one between local rivals Flamengo, Vasco, Fluminense or Botafogo.
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Mirante do Leblon
A few fishermen casting out to sea mingle with couples admiring the view at this overlook at the western end of Leblon beach. The luxury Sheraton Hotel looms to the west, with the not so luxurious favela of Vidigal nearby.
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Monumento Nacional Aos Mortos da Ii Guerra Mundial
This delicate monument to the soldiers who perished in WWII contains a museum, a mausoleum and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The museum exhibits uniforms, medals and documents from Brazil's Italian campaign. There's also a small lake and sculptures by Ceschiatti and Anísio Araújo de Medeiros.
Read more about Monumento Nacional Aos Mortos da Ii Guerra Mundial
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Morro do Leme
East of Av Princesa Isabel, Morro do Leme contains an environmental protection area. The 11 hectares of Atlantic rain forest are home to numerous species of birds, such as the saddle and bishop tanagers, thrushes and the East Brazilian house wren. An hour-long tour is available by booking ahead. Tours meet at the Praça Almirante Júlio de Noronha.
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Mosteiro de São Bento
This is one of the finest colonial churches in Brazil. Built between 1617 and 1641 on Morro de São Bento, the monastery has a fine view over the city. The simple façade hides a baroque interior richly decorated in gold. Among its historic treasures are wood carvings designed by Frei Domingos da Conceição (and made by Alexandre Machado) and paintings by José de Oliveira Rosa. On Sunday, the High Mass at includes a choir of Benedictine monks singing Gregorian chants.
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Museu Aerospacial
This museum maintains expositions on Santos Dumont (the Brazilian father of aviation), Air Marshal Eduardo Gomes, the history of Brazilian airmail and the role of Brazil's air force in WWII. There are lots of old planes, motors and flying instruments. Highlights are replicas of Santos Dumont's planes, the 14 Bis and the Demoiselle . You can also arrange guided visits if you call at least three days in advance.
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Museu Amsterdam Sauer
Next door to Museu H Stern, the Museu Amsterdam Sauer also houses an impressive collection of precious stones - over 3000 items in all. It also has two life-size replicas of mines. Like H Stern, the Amsterdam Sauer store is the place to lay down some serious cash if you're looking for precious gems or well-made accessories.
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Museu Carmen Miranda
Carmen Miranda was once the highest-paid entertainer in the USA. She's the only Brazilian to leave her prints in Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Although she's largely forgotten there, the talented Brazilian singer still has her fans in Rio and has become a cult icon among the gay community. For those interested in getting to know one of Brazil's stars of the '40s, the small museum dedicated to her is an excellent starting point.
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Museu Casa de Rui Barbosa
The former mansion (completely restored in 2003) of famous Brazilian journalist and diplomat Rui Barbosa is now a museum housing his library and personal belongings, along with an impressive archive of manuscripts and first editions of other Brazilian authors, such as Machado de Assis and José de Alençar. Barbosa played a major role in shaping the country's socio-economic development in the early 20th century.
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Museu Chácara do Céu
The former mansion of art patron and industrialist Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya, the museum contains a small but diversified collection of modern art - formerly Ottoni's private collection, which he bequeathed to the nation. In addition to works by Portinari, Di Cavalcanti and Lygia Clark, the museum displays furniture and Brazilian maps dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Beautiful gardens surround the museum, and a panoramic view of Centro and Baía de Guanabara awaits visitors.
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Museu da República
The Museu da República, located in the Palácio do Catete, has been wonderfully restored. Built between 1858 and 1866 and easily distinguished by the bronze condors on the eaves, the palace was home to the president of Brazil from 1896 until 1954, when President Getúlio Vargas committed suicide here.
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Museu de Arte Moderna
At the northern end of Parque do Flamengo, the Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM) is immediately recognizable by the striking postmodern edifice designed by Alfonso Eduardo Reidy. The landscaping of Burle Marx is no less impressive.
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Museu de Arte Sacra
The small Museu de Arte Sacra is in the basement of the Catedral Metropolitana. It contains historical items such as the throne of Dom Pedro II, the baptismal basins used at the christenings of royal princes and the golden roses Princess Isabel received from Pope Leo XIII after signing the law abolishing slavery in Brazil.
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Museu de Ciência da Terra
With curved staircases and statues looming out front, this majestic building went through a number of incarnations before it finally ended up housing the Earth Science Museum. The museum mostly appeals to children, who still marvel at some of the life-sized dinosaurs on display. The four-room exhibit gives a quick overview of the natural history of Brazil since the Big Bang. Other rooms showcase the museum's extensive collection of minerals, rocks and meteorites - 5000 pieces in all.
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Museu de Folclórico Edson Carneiro
Created in 1968, this museum is an excellent introduction to particularly northeastern Brazilian folk art. Its permanent collection comprises 1400 pieces, and includes Candomblé costumes, ceramic figurines and religious costumes used in festivals. The museum also features a folklore library and a small shop, selling handicrafts, books and folk music. The museum lies next door to the Palácio do Catete.
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Museu do Arte Contemporânea
Designed by Brazil's most famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer, the MAC has a wild curvilinear design that blooms like a flower (or more prosaically, a flying saucer) against sweeping bay views. Unfortunately, the exhibits inside the museum are somewhat less inspiring. To get to the MAC from the Niterói ferry terminal, turn right as you leave and walk about 50m across to the bus terminal in the middle of the road; a 47B minibus will drop you at the museum door.
