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1. Parque da Catacumba
- Art in the Park
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- Picnics, Parks & Gardens
- Zona Sul
- Nile Expert Tip: A small park, Parque da Catacumba won't take up more than a couple of hours of your time. Head here in...
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2. Parque Lage
- Gorgeous Gardens and Grounds
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- Picnics, Parks & Gardens
- Zona Sul
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3. Rua do Lavradio
- Step Back in Time
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- Shopping
- Centro
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4. Museu Nacional (Quinta da Boa Vista)
It's a little off the tourist track, but this attention-grabbing pink palace is well worth the Metro...
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- Museums
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5. Jardim Zoológico
- Walk on the Wild Side
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- Zoos/Aquariums
- Zona Norte
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6. Recreio Beach
- Surf, Sand and Sunbathing
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- Attractions
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7. Ilha de Paquetá
- Boating and biking on the other side of the bay
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- Attractions
- Centro
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8. Igreja da Candelária
- Magnificent, a landmark of Rio
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- Landmarks
- Centro
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9. Ilha Fiscal
- Fairytale palace by the docks
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- Landmarks
- Centro
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10. Museu da República -- Palácio do Catete
It's gratifying to find a museum that works so hard to grab your interest. Located in a gorgeous baroque...
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- Museums
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The Best of NileGuide
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While there's no shame in visiting Rio's big tourist attractions (in fact shame on you if you don't make time to visit Christ or chill out on Copacabana beach), but sometimes it's nice to take the road less traveled and check out some off-the-beaten-path things to do in Rio.
Rio's less-visited sites often reward the visitor with spectacular views, and very often cost absolutely nothing to visit. Parque Catacumba, a little-visted spot close to the much more touristy Lagoa, is a good case in point.
There is no charge for wandering the cobbled streets of beautiful Santa Teresa, and it is just 60 centavos to ride the ancient yellow tram up to the neighborhood from Centro.
Meanwhile, the residential neighborhood of Catete remains largely off the tourist track, but is well worth a visit for its historic Palace and handsome, if crumbling, colonial architecture.
Still fewer tourists visit Rio's North Zone, but it's well worth taking the Metro out to the neglected suburbs to discover off-the-beaten track Rio attractions such as the National Museum, set in fabulous gardens, and the city zoo.
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