Buenos
Aires is widely known for its cultural activities. There are many museums,
theatres, cinemas and shows, as well as guided visits, tango lessons or free
concerts.
Cinema
and theatre are the most favourite activities chosen by locals. There are 170
theatres and more than 200 cinemas. Some international chains have opened big
cinemas like Cinemark,
Hoyt’s, Showcase and Village Roadshow. Films are shown in the original
language with Spanish subtitles.
The
Opera House is called 'Teatro Colón'. It's located on Cerrito
Street, a few steps from the Obelisk. It
was opened in 1908 and its stage has presented lyric singers, national and international ballet, and even
pop singers.
Some of
these artists were María Callas, Krauss, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti,
Alicia Alonso, Margot Fonteyn, Paloma Herrera, Nijinski, Nureievev, Barishnikov
and Julio Boca. Among the directors were Stravinsky, Toscanini, Von Karajan and
Zubin Metha.
Classical
music is presented in a wide range of concerts both at 'Teatro Colón'
and 'Teatro Coliseo'. The Buenos Aires Orchestra (Orquesta Filarmónica de Buenos
Aires) and
the National Orchestra (Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional)
offer some free concerts. National and international pop singers usually
present their shows at football stadiums.
Art is
present everywhere in the city, from refined sculptures and monuments in public
parks to beautiful architecture and modern buildings.
Among
the 100 museums of the city, the most famous ones are 'Museo Nacional de
Bellas Artes' and 'Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires
(MALBA)'. Different exhibitions are always presented at 'Centro
Cultural General San Martín', 'Centro Cultural Recoleta' and 'Centro Cultural Ricardo Rojas'.
Art
shops are very picturesque. Artisans usually sell their products at weekends in
different public parks.
There is
a famous street called 'Calle Museo Caminito', in La Boca
neighbourhood, with many artistic exhibitions
in the open air and lots of art shops.
The 'Feria de San Pedro Telmo' is one of the most important attractions in
the city. Every Sunday, more than 200 shops offer exclusive antique stuff,
porcelain, silver spoons and handicrafts at Plaza Dorrego (Humberto Iº and Defensa Streets). There are also many
singers and dancers in the street, and restaurants set their tables out in
the sun.
The 'Feria de Mataderos' is open every Sunday from April to November, 11
a.m. to 7 p.m., showing local art and popular traditions. A music and dance show
is usually presented along with gaucho rodeo runs, games, and prizes
for all ages. Of course, traditional food can also be tasted here.
Parks
The
natural park 'Costanera Sur' is a fantastic way of enjoying the
contact with nature without leaving the metropolis. There are some walking
trails and special tours under the full moon. You can watch the sunrise here, go
jogging, ride a bicycle or just relax and listen to the sounds of nature.
The Park '3 de Febrero' in Palermo is a great green place in the middle of the
city. The area began to develop in 1890 and it's nowadays a huge park with big
trees, beautiful sculptures, refreshing fountains and magnificent flower
gardens. You can also ride a 'mateo' (stagecoach) everyday here.
Near this park, the 'Jardín Zoológico' (Buenos Aires Zoo) is a nice outing for
children. It contains a wide variety of animals and many shows are presented
daily.
The 'Jardín Botánico' (Botanical Gardens)
is a vast area surrounded by different
species of trees, plants and flowers, original sculptures and majestic
fountains.
The 'Jardín Japonés' (Japanese Gardens) recreates the poetry and beauty of oriental
gardens. Plants, flowers, waterfalls and little bridges come together in a
colourful lovely atmosphere. Kids love watching the lake and the Karpa fish, brought originally from Japan.
'Tierra
Santa' is the first religious theme park in the world. More than a million
people have already visited and experienced walking around Jerusalem, discovering its architecture, learning about its history
and customs, as if being transported to Jesus times.
Nightlife
Buenos
Aires doesn't sleep and locals love that. There are many things to do at night:
concerts, dinner, theatre, cinema, open air shows, discos, drinking at pubs,
having a coffee, etc. Even during weekdays nightlife has a lot to offer.
Cinemas
are crowded on Saturday but not the rest of the days. Prices may vary according
to the cinema but the entrance is usually between $4 and $8. There is a 50%
reduction during early afternoon from Monday to Friday and all day long on
Wednesday.
It's
common for office co-workers to meet after work, specially on Thursdays. Bars
and pubs have special offers like 'happy hour', with reduced prices,
or 'two for one', which allows to buy two drinks for the price of one,
usually between 7 and 10 p.m.
Discos
close by 7 a.m. and in some of them the party goes on with 'after
hour' meetings up to noon. Young people love to visit more than one of
these places in one night and they even have breakfast before going to sleep.
Entrance to discos is about $10 and in most cases women enter for free. If
there's a live concert entrance may be around $15.
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