Argentina or Bust!

Buenos Aires has beautiful architecture, great dining and wines, friendly people, big parks … what are you waiting for?

Bring your appetite—and your children—to Argentina’s capital.

Add to your Buenos Aires list of musts with these recommendations for wine, dine, arts and entertainment favorites.

Buenos Aires is the capital of the Argentine Republic. The name means ‘fair winds’ in Spanish. It is one of the largest cities in Latin America, with much to offer culturally as well as serving as the hub for travel to the rest of the country. Inhabitants of Buenos Aires are called porteños, “people from the port.”

Buenos Aires is definitely a walking city, with many diverse areas and attractions all within close range of each other. Check out the Cementerio de la Recoleta, where wealthy Argentines are buried along with Eva Perón. Or explore the trendy Palermo Viejo district’s bookstores, bars and boutiques. It’s a good companion of—or alternative to, depending on your travel style—the cobblestoned district of San Telmo for a nighttime excursion.

A trip to Buenos Aires is not complete without experiencing the tango. La Boca and San Telmo are popular places to view this national dance. But you'll also find performers on the streets, and the best place to see real tango is in the “milongas,” the tango halls where locals dance.

Founded in 2001 and started with just the permanent collection owned by its director, Eduardo Constantini, MALBA aims at promoting Latin American art in all its disciplines. Constantini donated to this post-modern gallery works of art that take us on a journey through the history of Spanish American art, from the beginning of its avant-garde movement at the turn of the century to the present. The collection is arranged in such a way to expose the similarities as well as the differences between the artists, other than in chronological order. There are workshops, children activities, temporary exhibitions and work experience for students. Own car park. Free admission.

In 1871, with the outbreak of Yellow Fever, these mansions were soon overtaken by squatters, creating the city's historic conventillos (tenement houses). Indeed, it was not until 1970 that an edict stipulated protection for property owners. Today the neighborhood of San Pedro Telmo is an important historic and popular corner of the city. Locals and tourists alike flock to the Plaza Dorrego on the oldest street in the city, for the antique market and vibrant street performances, including tango, held on Sunday from 10a to 6p. On the corner of Independencia and Balcarce streets is El Viejo Almacén, a traditional tango establishment.

This café has formed part of the Porteño landscape since 1858. A shrine to local tango culture, it houses the Academia Nacional del Tango and stages performances as well as literary events in the basement. Legendary literati such as the disquieting poets Argentine Alfonsina Storni and Spanish Federico García Lorca gathered here. Porteño bohemia and nostalgia fuse here over a game of chess, domino and billiards. Chocolate con Churros (hot cocoa and deep fried donut sticks) are a traditional Argentine breakfast.

Built in 1940, La Bombonera (The Chocolate Box) gets its name because of its rectangular shape. The stadium is formally known as the Estadio Alberto J. Armando, and is located in La Boca, in Buenos Aires. It is home to the Boca Juniors soccer club, one of the most talented and famous teams in the world. For tourists, seeing the excellent play and overwhelming atmosphere at La Bombonera is often the highlight of their trip. For locals, following the game is a cultural and social necessity. The stadium seats 57,395 people. There is also a museum featuring historical soccer memorabilia located inside, open 10a-6p daily.

After an exhaustive and careful restoration of this beautiful 1919 building, the biggest bookstore in Latin America opened in what used to be the old Grand Splendid cinema. Without altering the old structure—twinned with the Opera de Paris theatre—it still has its original features and magnificent friezes, like the one on the spectacular dome. There is now a cafeteria in place of the stage, where you can read books taken from the bookshelves. There are also reading places on the corners of the main floor and in the old balconies on the first floor, furnished with tables and comfortable armchairs, computers for searching or online purchasing and 150 square metres dedicated to children, "El Ateneo Junior", with interactive games and story telling. There is also a small music stage, CDs and DVDs for sale, art exhibitions on the third floor and facilities for watching DVDs.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see on any trip to Argentina, including for families with young children.