Buenos Aires for Kids

Our Local Expert Says:

Don't worry about bringing your own picnic - the food vendors are plentiful, serving up local specialties such as choripan, a tasty sausage sandwich. There are also lots of drinks and ice cream available.

Description:

Originally owned by Governor Rosas, this park opened to the public in 1874. Visit the Jardín de los Poetas, with sculptures of famous writers such as Alfonsina Storni, Félix Amador, Paul Groussac and Enrique Larreta. Enjoy the Rosedal where the colorful roses are kept. Other features include pergolas, bridges, fountains, seats, street lamps and a magnificent array of sculptures. Many activities are available at the lake, including rowing and pedal boats. These woods are the preferred choice for local joggers and bicyclers.

Our Local Expert Says:

Be sure to stop into the pagoda at the far end of the gardens. There is a Japanese cultural center there, along with a tea and sushi house. Directly behind that is a nursery with all kinds of exotic plants and fish for sale.

Description:

Amidst Palermo lies this lovely oriental park filled with fish ponds, large stands of bamboo, a beautifully crafted arched bridge and a traditional Japanese tearoom. Inaugurated in 1967 by Japanese immigrants, its current layout was designed by famed landscape artist Yasuo Onomata to resemble the surroundings of a Zen temple. The garden's five acres are occupied for the most part by an artificial lake filled with exotic fish. This place feels especially intimate because, unlike most green spaces in Buenos Aires, it's sheltered by thick foliage. The flora is composed of over 150 different species, the majority of which have been brought directly from Japan.

Our Local Expert Says:

Be sure to buy the tickets (you will have three different options) that allow access to the marine life and reptiles so that you don't miss the penguins, giant tortoises, or walruses!

Description:

This is one of the most well-preserved areas of Buenos Aires, founded in 1874. At present the owners are Mexican and Argentine businessmen, who protect the conservation and the development of species that run a danger of extinction. In this place 2,500 animals belonging to 350 different species can be appreciated, from doves to white tigers. It has an open precinct for bears and a cage for condors. But do check out the living quarters of the elephant, similar to the sanctuary of Shiva. In 1988 an aquarium and an air-conditioned penguin colony were inaugurated here.

Description:

The botanical gardens take up a wide acreage in Plaza Italia, adjacent to the zoo and the La Rural complex. Visitors can stroll on lovely pebble paths through the variety of foliage, notably the prickly cactus garden and the steamy greenhouses. The real highlight of the gardens, though, is the cats. Hundreds of cats dwell in the gardens year-round, lazily basking in the sun and entertaining visitors. This is a wonderful place to bring kids.

Description:

Despite the name, it is not all about futbol in Locos por el Futbol. It is a family place in the heart of Recoleta that is always showing futbol games on dozens of TV sets. You are sure to find a good game to watch. There is also a nice futbol memorabilia shop right next to the front door. It is very complete, but a bit expensive. The food is very good and the high points are the pasta and pizza. An insider tip: if you happen to be in Buenos Aires at the time of the Superbowl, this is the place to go. Every year all American Football fans in Argentina gather here to watch the final game of the season. An excellent opportunity to make friends.

Our Local Expert Says:

Come during the week, when admission is half-price and crowds are much, much smaller.

Description:

When the summer heat makes pounding the pavement too unpleasant to bear, do what the locals do and head over to Punta Carrasco, a riverfront swimming complex featuring three pools (including one for kids only and one for adults only), bars, cafes, live DJs, volleyball and soccer courts, and enough beautiful Argentines to keep you busy all day. Try to find a coveted spot on one of the pools' crowded islands, and swim your drinks out there for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. You may want to carry in your own refreshments, as the lines become long during the day.

Our Local Expert Says:

Request the room that looks out onto the intersection of Corrientes and 9 de Julio. The view of the Obelisco is priceless.

Description:

The Bristol Hotel is situated right on the famed Avenida 9 de Julio, affording a great view of the Obelisk, the city's landmark. The hotel offers personalized and cordial service in a traditional atmosphere. Located a short distance from the nostalgic Avenida Corrientes, it is steps away from feeling the spirit of the tango at your feet. It has 130 well-equipped rooms and nine suites, and is conveniently located near many of the city's major sites and public transportation.

Description:

This park consists of 350 hectares of land that can be visited every day of the year. Forty years ago the plans were to build a sports complex and residential accommodation, but as time went by, the local fauna and flora reclaimed the land and it became a natural reserve by the river. It is divided into four zones, of which the most relevant ones are the woods, where many different types of birds live, by the river; the lagoons and marshlands, inhabited by ducks, storks and swans; and finally the River Plate banks.

Our Local Expert Says:

.Eating in el Caminito can be very expensive and of poor quality because you are mostly charged for the tango performances during your meal. You might consider sitting at an outdoor café for a drink instead, and you can watch all of the street shows for free.

Description:

This open-air "museum" brings the brushstrokes of painter Benito Quinquela Martín to life in its colors, sculptures and ceramics. In fact, more than a museum, it is an art market where a constant exhibit of works inspired by the surrounding port area and neighborhood are sold. A stroll through here is sure to thrill the tourist for its uniqueness and air of bohemia. Humble dwellings painted in vibrant colors frame the pedestrian street known as el Caminito and immortalized in a tango tune of the same name. Its first inhabitants were the working-class Genoese immigrants who settled along this path, which led from the river to the railroad tracks and is now home to innovative artists. Italian cantinas can be found in the surrounding vicinity near the port area.

Description:

Criollo cuisine, from the north of Argentina, is an obvious stimulus for foodies to step into the Caminito Tango Show. Another reason being the Tango, which is Argentina's famed dance form. The entrance fee includes supper and drinks.

Description:

Located only 30 miles from downtown Buenos Aires, the expansive Temaiken zoo occupies 85 acres of beautifully forested land. Strolling through the paths of this amazing park you can appreciate almost 5000 animals belonging to over 400 species living in carefully reconstructed habitats. Be sure to check out the fascinating Aquarius. It's divided in three main sectors (marine coast, fresh water and Seawater) and harbors an impressive array of fauna, from sharks and manta rays to tapirs and turtles. Temaiken also has a comfortable food court and world-class infrastructure, making it the ideal option for a great family outing.

Description:

From the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century, this place functioned as a prison, measuring around twenty thousand square meters. In February of 1961 the City Hall of Buenos Aires acquired the ground, but abandoned it until 1982. In that year, the Plaza Juan Gregorio Las Heras was born, and it became a place of recreation and dissemination of information, receiving visitors in large numbers. In recent times, they have implemented a series of activities for the family. In one sector, a school of soccer for boys on synthetic pasture functions every day. There is also a terrace for skaters and sufficient space for children to ride on their tricycles. There is a merry-go-round that is still quite popular with the tots. In other sectors of the park, classes of gymnastics, yoga and aerobics are held.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Abasto shopping mall (the Museo de los Ninos is located on the top floor of the mall) has a huge, great food court with all kinds of cuisine; many of the options function as actual restaurants with table service, unlike mall food courts in the US.

Description:

This is the first thematic and interactive museum in the Mercosur aimed at children from 3 to 12 years old. The purpose is to combine learning and playing, taking city life as a theme for experimenting and having fun. The activities that take place here and the environment in which they are carried out conform to new learning techniques designed to bring out the child's creativity while having fun in the process. There are competitions, drawing, painting and ceramics exhibitions by the children and more.

Description:

The slogan of the museum is "Touching Allowed". Children have a great time moving, switching and pressing levers, buttons and pedals along the way, getting a true "hands-on experience". The idea behind the project is that kids learn the basic notions of science, while playing different games. Throughout the museum, they can experiment with laser beams, see how a huge camera works and even fly. The museum is divided into thematic modules. There are, for example, sectors dedicated to visual perception, electricity, magnetism and food. All these ingenious games are intended for kids between six and fifteen years of age, but adults can also participate, have fun and may be learn some too. To participate in all the fun activities there is a single entrance fee that of AR$5.

Description:

Eating at Las Cuartetas is quite an experience. Don't expect a fancy atmosphere or trendy background music, in fact almost nothing changed there since the 1940s. The waiters don't speak English and forget about a bilingual menu. But before you get scared, rest assure that Las Cuartetas is unanimously hailed as the best pizzeria of Buenos Aires. You would be hard-pressed to find such a simple yet fantastically savory pizza anywhere in the world. Give this place a try and just focus on the food. You won't be disappointed. Las Cuartetas does not accept credit cards

Our Local Expert Says:

Request the room that looks out onto the intersection of Corrientes and 9 de Julio. The view of the Obelisco is priceless.

Description:

The Bristol Hotel is situated right on the famed Avenida 9 de Julio, affording a great view of the Obelisk, the city's landmark. The hotel offers personalized and cordial service in a traditional atmosphere. Located a short distance from the nostalgic Avenida Corrientes, it is steps away from feeling the spirit of the tango at your feet. It has 130 well-equipped rooms and nine suites, and is conveniently located near many of the city's major sites and public transportation.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Sunday fair also features a huge variety of clothes and accessories from local designers at a fraction of the price of similar things in Palermo. Be sure to venture down side streets to have a look in the stalls.

Description:

The San Pedro Telmo Antiques Fair is held every Sunday and the streets of charming San Telmo are extremely lively during the fair. Tourists can have a gala time, as there are tons of activities to choose from. Enjoy live performances by musicians or tango with the dancers. If you are in the mood for some shopping, check out the antiques and handicrafts sold here.

Description:

Parque Lezama is located at the southern border of San Telmo, and is a wonderful way to spend a sunny afternoon. With a view of the bright blue onion domes of the Russian Basilica, lazy tree-lined paths, antique marble fountains, and groups of men crowded around the built-in stone chess boards every afternoon, this park recalls a past time when time moved a little bit slower.

Description:

On a very busy corner, between Santa Fe and Pueyrredón Avenues, Duero is a restaurant-cafeteria characterized by its spaciousness, luminosity, and a variety of inexpensive fast foods. As it is located in a commercial area, it provides a good ambience to take a rest after a shopping promenade. In the air-conditioned premises, besides a cup of coffee or a milk shake, you can order stone-baked, or regular style, pizza. Their specialty is the pizza Duero (serves 4 people).

Our Local Expert Says:

Peru Beach, located a few stops up from the beginning of the Tren de la Costa line, is unique in Buenos Aires (a city lacking for places to enjoy the river) for having a sprawling riverside park and beach, where sunbathers gather on nice days.

Description:

It is a transport and leisure complex that stretches for 15 kilometres by the River Plate, from Olivos to the Tigre delta, stopping at eleven stations, each one with its own history and special theme. The original British carriages have been totally refurbished, to provide the highest comfort to the traveller. There are all kinds of shops, food establishments and fruit and regional product markets at each stop, which manage to share the space without altering the original architecture of a bygone Buenos Aires. Each carriage is air-conditioned and has a tourist guide and a maximum capacity of 80 passengers.

Our Local Expert Says:

Off-season (April-October) tickets are half-price.

Description:

A dream park where roller coasters exist side by side with modern Hollywood style special effects, circus performances, live concerts and much more. Choose from traditional rides such as bumper cars, as well as the many events that take place in specially designed indoor and outdoor spaces. There is also an amphitheatre, an IMAX cinema, a short catamaran excursion down the river, dancing water fountains and light shows. There are many dining options to cater to all tastes and budgets. This park is the only one of its kind in Latin America.

Description:

During April, it takes place one of the most important cattle and agricultural fairs in the country, at the Predio Ferial de Palermo. Here, farm animals are the main characters - cattle in particular. The most famous races, alongside many more other countryside products, are exhibited in the specially built pavilions. Machinery, fruits, farm clothing and accessories, are on display for the delight of city dwellers and country folk. Some animals are auctioned and the most outstanding exemplars from the estancias (cattle ranches) are given prizes. There is parking and a restaurants pavilion, built in French style.