Location: Retiro
Top Things to do in Retiro
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5 Specialty Museums in Retiro That You Shouldn't Miss
The birthplace of the tango is, like the dance itself, captivating, seductive and bustling with excited energy. Atmospheric old neighborhoods are rife with romantic restaurants and thumping nightlife, and Buenos Aires' European heritage is evident in its architecture, boulevards and parks. Cafe Tortoni, the city's oldest bar, will transport you back to 1858, and the spectacular Teatro Colon impresses just as it did in 1908. Latin America's shopping capital offers the promise of premium retail therapy along its grand, wide boulevards.
Restaurants in Buenos Aires
1. Centro Cultural Coreano
2. Palacio Paz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 368 reviews
Reviewed By 311queenj - California, United States
This was the private residence of one of the most prominent families in Buenos Aires. It is a fantastic tour on which you are led through an impressive foyer and into opulent French-styled rooms with gold gilding, chandeliers, sculptures, dark imported Italian wood, tall stained glass windows, marble floors and staircases, etc, etc, etc. This was definitely my favorite tour, with the Museo de Arte Decorativo trailing behind by a hair. Palacio Paz is located across the street from the Plaza San Martin and is about an 8 minute walk from the Galerias Pacifico mall in the Florida shopping area. The Teatro Colon is about a 15 minute walk away. Though the tour was in Spanish, the guide did her best to speak slowly and gesture to help visitors understand. I'm not fluent in Spanish, but I caught about 2/3 of the presentation and helped explain to a few non-Spanish speakers on the tour. The enthusiasm and passion of the tour guide was one of the strengths of this tour. She really enjoys meeting new people and sharing this gem - a window to the style and opulence enjoyed by the aristocracy of 1909. The tour lasts about 1.5 hours. The palace can ONLY be visited on a guided tour and is closed the rest of the day. The outside gate is locked and doesn't open until around 10am. At this time, visitors may inquire about tour times by speaking to the guard in the palace doorway, but visitors are not allowed entry until about 15 minutes before the tour. The tour costs about 850 pesos ($15 or so) and in my opinion, is worth it. Just show up a little before 11am and wait to be allowed into the lobby and hall where you pay cash (Argentine pesos) at the cashier window. People start to gather outside around 10:45am, so it's a good idea to come a little early. The tour group is maxed out around 15 people, so don't snooze and lose. *The sign outside indicates two tours a day, but when we inquired, we were told there was only ONE TOUR at 11am (in Spanish). I don't know if that is because we visited on Friday, January 3rd, right after the New Year holiday - it was closed Dec 31st, Jan 1st, and Jan 2nd - or if they've permanently cut their tours back to only one tour a day. Supposedly, there is an English tour once a week at 3:30pm on Thursdays, but we didn't confirm that since Thursday wasn't an option for us. Hope that helps! Enjoy Buenos Aires! *Note: Finding information on opening hours or tour times was near impossible to do by internet. Google opening hours are completely inaccurate, the Argentine government website simply explains the building, and does not post hours or tour information. Therefore, it is not possible to book a tour in advance, which drove me bonkers. Be aware that the "tours" offered through various tour companies online are mostly walking tours that breeze by the outside, stop briefly to explain its significance, and then briskly whisk tourists away to the next stop. These tours do NOT go inside. There is one VERY pricey palace tour which may actually include a tour inside, but why pay a few hundred dollars when you can show up and pay $15? You just need to know when. I think that may be why there is so little information about tours and opening hours. It's mad annoying!
3. Museo de Armas de la Nacion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
Reviewed By gdmyers - Fort Worth, United States
I really like military related museums and I saved this museum for my last day in BA. I was fortunate to hear a military band playing at a wreath laying ceremony in the nearby park at the monument of San Martin before my visit. The museum is hosted in 18 rooms of the same building that also hosts the Palacio Paz next door and is filled to the gunnels with mostly military hand weapons. You have medieval armor, swords and pikes, to a room dedicated to Japanese Samurai and much more. They also managed to fit in some smaller artillery pieces and machine guns. Several nice Thompson Sub-machine guns are on display too! The largest display of pistols I have ever seen in one place. While the museum is not large by most standards, it will take an hour or so to browse all the varid displays.
4. Museo de Informatica de la Republica Argentina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
The Fundación Museo de Informática, Computadoras y Accesorios Tecnológicos - ICATEC is the first computer history museum in Argentina. The Museum holds a significant and varied collection of computing hardware, software and media. From early calculating machines and home computers to giant mainframes, thousands of items bring the history of computing to life.
5. Museo Nacional Ferroviario Raul Scalabrini Ortiz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By DannyDJI - Beinsdorp, The Netherlands
Museo Nacional Ferroviario Raul Scalabrini Ortiz. We accidentally came across Museo Nacional Ferroviario Raul Scalabrini Ortiz while walking through BA heading for Patio Bullrich . The receiptance at Museo Nacional Ferroviario Raul Scalabrini Ortiz was very very warm . The gentlemen explained us how this unique museum was set up with the train related items . Museo Nacional Ferroviario Raul Scalabrini Ortiz is GREAT !!!
