6 Best Sights in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Steps away from Botafogo metro station is a museum in the former home of the 19th-century Brazilian statesman, writer, and scholar Rui Barbosa, a liberal from Bahia State who drafted one of Brazil's early constitutions. The pink mansion, which dates from 1849, is itself worth a visit. Stepping inside instantly transports you to the period when writers and other intellectuals inhabited this street's grand houses. Among the memorabilia and artifacts on display are Barbosa's 1913 car and legal, political, and journalistic works. The extensive libraries are testament to Rui Barbosa's love for literature. The well-tended gardens stretch for 9,000 meters (29,527 feet) and are filled with small pools and fountains, making them a pleasant place to take respite from the rush and crush of the city. There's a good children's library, regular kids' workshops and events, and free live music performances.

A grand colonial building set in spacious gardens is the setting for this museum dedicated to the life and works of Heitor Villa-Lobos, Brazil's best-known classical composer. Among the items related to Villa-Lobos's life and works are handwritten compositions, conducting batons, and numerous photographs.

This slick, ultramodern exhibition space also houses Rio's Telecommunications Museum. The museum itself delivers a unique multimedia adventure—lots of monitors, blinking lights, and media artifacts. After you've been oriented in the use of the MP3 headsets, a light- and mirror-filled airlock-like room awaits. The sights in this tiny exhibit space will likely mesmerize you, and if you don't speak Portuguese, the English guide will explain what you can't figure out from the visual cues. The other floors of the Oi Futuro building house cultural spaces devoted to theater performances, film screenings, and art exhibits. There's also a café whose rooftop terrace is a pleasant place to enjoy an iced cappuccino on a balmy day.

The landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx designed this waterfront park that flanks the Baía de Guanabara from the Glória neighborhood to Flamengo. Frequently referred to as "Aterro do Flamengo," the park contains playgrounds and public tennis and basketball courts, and paths used for jogging, walking, and biking wind through it. On weekends the freeway beside the park is closed to traffic and the entire area becomes one enormous public space.

For safety reasons, avoid wandering the park after dark and stick to busy sections even in daylight hours.

Though it's pretty, Botafogo Beach doesn't attract swimmers and sunbathers. Locals joke that the fish here come ready-coated in oil for frying, but don't let that stop you from jogging along the sidewalk if you're staying nearby. Early risers are often rewarded with a stunning sunrise from this shore. Amenities: none. Best for: sunrise; walking.

This small curved beach with a terrific view of Sugar Loaf is much busier earlier in the morning than on a sunny afternoon. That's because Flamengo Beach is a great place to go for a walk, jog, run, or stroll, but not such a great place for a dip in the (usually dirty) water. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: walking.