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Museu do Bonde
The tiny one-room Tram Museum at the depot close to Largo do Guimarães offers a history of Rio's tramways since 1865 - when the trams were pulled by donkeys. A few photographs, trip-recorders and conductor uniforms are just about the only objects documenting their legacy. Uplifting music plays overhead. The term bonde, incidentally, means just that - bond - indicating the way in which the first electric trams were financed - through public bonds.
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Museu do Índio
Featuring multimedia exhibitions on Brazil's northern tribes, the small Museu do Índio provides an excellent introduction to the economic, religious and social life of Brazil's indigenous people. Next to native food and medicinal plants, the four life-size dwellings in the courtyard were actually built by four different tribes.
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Museu do Primeiro Reinado
A ten-minute walk east of the Quinta da Boa Vista, this former mansion of the Marquesa de Santos depicts the history of the First Reign (the reign of bumbling Dom Pedro I before he was driven out of the country). The collection includes documents, furniture and paintings, but the main attraction is the building and its interior, with striking murals by Francisco Pedro do Amaral.
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Museu H Stern
The headquarters of the famous jeweler H Stern incorporates a museum displaying a permanent exhibition of fine jewelry, some rare mineral specimens and a large collection of tourmalines. There is a 12-minute tour, which displays the process of turning the rough stones into flawlessly cut jewels as the gems pass through the hands of craftsmen, cutters, goldsmiths and setters.
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Museu Histórico da Cidade
The 19th-century mansion located on the lovely grounds of the Parque da Cidade now houses the City History Museum. In addition to its permanent collection, which portrays Rio from its founding in 1565 to the mid-20th century, the museum has exhibitions of furniture, porcelain, photographs and paintings by well-known artists. The park itself is free, open from to .
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Museu Histórico do Exército e Forte de Copacabana
Built in 1914, on the promontory of the former Our Lady of Copacabana chapel, the Forte de Copacabana (Copacabana Fort) was one of Rio's premier defenses against attack. You can still see its original features, including walls up to 12m thick, defended by Krupp cannons. The several floors of exhibits in the Museu, trace the early days of the Portuguese colony to the mid-19th century. There's a lovely café overlooking Copacabana.
Read more about Museu Histórico do Exército e Forte de Copacabana
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Museu Histórico E Diplomático
Housed in the neoclassical Palácio Itamaraty, the Museum of History and Diplomacy served as the private presidential home from 1889 until 1897. The museum has an impressive collection of art, antiques and maps. Visits are by guided 45-minute tours. Call ahead to ensure you get an English- or French-speaking guide. The museum is just a short walk west from Presidente Vargas metro station.
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Museu Histórico Nacional
One of Rio's best museums, the large National History Museum contains over 250,000 historic relics relating to the history of Brazil from its founding to its early days as a republic. Its extensive collection is housed on the old arsenal (built in 1764) and includes a full-sized model of a colonial pharmacy, enormous canvases depicting the bloody war with Paraguay, imperial carriages and tiny relics like the writing quill Princesa Isabel used to sign the document abolishing slavery in Brazil.
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Museu Internacional de Arte Naïf do Brasil
Vivid color and a playful perspective are two of the characteristics of arte naïf paintings; many of the artists of this style came from outside the establishment. Also known as primitivist, the paintings in this permanent collection are extensive: over 8000 pieces, executed by artists from 130 countries, dating from the 15th century to the present. It's the largest museum of its kind in the world.
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Museu Nacional
This museum and its imperial entrance are still stately and imposing, and the view from the balcony to the royal palms is majestic. However, the weathered buildings and unkempt grounds have clearly declined since the fall of the monarchy.
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Museu Nacional de Belas Artes
Rio's fine arts museum houses more than 800 original paintings and sculptures ranging from the 17th to the 20th century. One of its most important galleries is the Galeria de Arte Brasileira, with 20th-century classics such as Cândido Portinari's Café. Other galleries display Brazilian folk art, African art and furniture, as well as contemporary exhibits. Guided tours are available in English (call ahead).
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Museu Naval
Chronicling the history of the Brazilian navy from the 16th century to the present, the museum also has exhibitions of model warships, maps and navigational instruments.
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Museu Villa-Lobos
Housed in a century-old building, the modest museum is dedicated to the memory of Brazil's greatest classical composer - and founder of the Brazilian Academy of Music - Heitor Villa-Lobos. In addition to scores, musical instruments - including the piano on which he composed - and personal items, the museum contains an extensive sound archive. Classical concerts are sometimes held in the adjoining courtyard.
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Paço Imperial
The former imperial palace was originally built in 1743 as a governor's residence. Later it became the home of Dom João and his family when the Portuguese throne transferred the royal seat of power to the colony. In 1888, Princesa Isabel proclaimed the Freedom from Slavery Act from the palace's steps. The building was neglected for many years but has been restored and is used for exhibitions and concerts; its cinema frequently screens foreign and art-house films.
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Palácio Tiradentes
The stately Tiradentes Palace overlooking the bay, today houses the seat of the legislative assembly. Visitors can wander through exhibits on the 1st and 2nd floors that relate - through photographs and documents - some of the historic events that took place in the nearby chambers between 1926 and the present. One of its darkest hours was when the National Assembly was shut down in 1937 under the Vargas dictatorship - it later served as his Department of Press and Propaganda.
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Pão de Açúcar
One of Rio's dazzling icons, Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf) offers a vision of Rio at its most disarming. Following a steep ascent up the mountain, you'll be rewarded with superb views of Rio's gorgeous shoreline, and the city planted among the green peaks. For prime views of the cidade maravilhosa, go around sunset on a clear day.
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Parque da Catacumba
Inaugurated in 1979, Catacumba is the site of Brazil's first outdoor sculptural garden. The site of a former favela (which was demolished to create the park), Catacumba sits atop Morro dos Cabritos, which rises from the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. It's a choice place to escape the heat while strolling through some fascinating works by artists such as Roberto Moriconi and Bruno Giorgi. Superb views await those willing to climb to the top of the hill (385m).
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Parque das Ruínas
Connected to the Museu Chácara do Céu by a walkway, this park contains the ruins of the mansion belonging to Brazilian heiress Laurinda Santos Lobo. Her house was a meeting point for Rio's artists and intellectuals for many years until her death in 1946. Today, the park stages open-air concerts periodically. Don't miss the excellent view from the top floor. There's a small outdoor café that makes a great spot to recharge.
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Parque do Catete
The small landscaped park on the grounds of the Palácio do Catete provides a quiet refuge from the city. Its pond and shade-covered walks are popular with neighborhood strollers and children. Special performances in the park include concerts and plays.
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Parque do Flamengo
Officially called Parque Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, Parque do Flamengo was the result of a landfill project that leveled the São Antônio hill in 1965, and now spreads all the way from downtown Rio through Glória, Catete and Flamengo, and on around to Botafogo. The 1.2 million sq meters of land reclaimed from the sea now stages every manner of Carioca outdoor activity. Cyclists and rollerbladers glide along the myriad paths, while the many soccer fields and sports courts are framed against the sea.
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Parque do Marapendi
At the end of Av Sernambetiba in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, this biological reserve sets aside 700,000 sq meters for study and has a small area for leisure, with workout stations and games areas.
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Parque Ecolôgico Municipal Chico Mendes
This 400,000-sq-meter park was created in 1989 and named after the Brazilian ecological activist who was murdered for his work. The park protects the remaining sand-spit vegetation from real estate speculators. The facilities include a visitors' center and ecological trails leading to a small lake. Animals protected in the park include butterflies, lizards, tortoises and the broad-nosed caiman.
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Parque Garota de Ipanema
This small park next to the Arpoador rock features a tiny playground, a small concrete area popular with skaters and a lookout with a good view of Ipanema beach. On weekends in summer, there are occasional concerts here.
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Parque Guinle & The Palácio Das Laranjeiras
Designed by French landscaper Gochet, the park has a European air, and has a small lake, lanes and lawns. Overlooking the park is the resplendent Palácio da Laranjeiras, built between 1909 and 1914 by architect Silva Telles. Today it is the official residence in Rio of the state governor, and contains the same artwork, furniture and ornamental objects from when the palace was built. You can tour parts of the palace by guided appointments.
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Parque Lage
This beautiful park, at the base of Parque Nacional da Tijuca, is about 1km from Jardim Botânico. It has English-style gardens, little lakes and a mansion that now houses the Instituto Nacional de Belas Artes, which often hosts art exhibitions and occasional performances. The park is a tranquil place and particularly popular on weekends when the Café du Lage whips up a delightful brunch. Native Atlantic rain forest surrounds Parque Lage.
