What are your top 20 sites to see in order of preference (museums, performances, landmarks, neighborhoods, parks, markets, fabulous restaurants....)in Buenos Aires?

After that, how about at Christmas and New Years? Anything special you love to see in BA around that time of year?

I"m replying to you alot!

On Christmas Eve and New Year's there are fireworks, but other than that, don't expect to see much fuss over Christmas. In terms of decorations, they were pretty minimal and discreet.

Also, while alot of shops did stay open, alot of stuff like museums and such closed on Christmas Eve and of course the other holidays.

Hi Skatedancer, Yep I am in heavy research mode. I like the research better on Fodors then reading a travel guide. Personal preference.

I hear you on being aware of shops being closed during big holidays. We went through that when we were in Crete during Greek Orthodox Easter. We are now aware of all that and make adjustments.

I hope I get some 20 best of best replies. Thanks for your support and great ideas!!

In no particular order:
Opera Pampa
Cafe Tortoni
San Telmo on a Sunday
Puerto Madero (apartment window shopping)
Recoletta Cemetery
La Payuca Parilla
La Boca
La Cabreza (another nice parilla - a little over-hyped)
Evita Museum
Just wandering the streets of Palermo
Colonia de Santiago, Uruguay - a day trip
Riding the old wooden Subte train on Linea A
A ride on bus no 29 - One peso takes you through all of the key areas of the city

And finally - meeting the the most famous of Fodorites - avrooster

AVRooster = definitely over-hyped!

MALBA is our favorite musuem.
San Telmo on a day other than a Sunday.

Gusss I will for sure have to make a return trip since I missed meeting the most famous of fodorites...

Not in rank order....

1. Opera Pampa

2. Recoleta Cemetery

3. Bellas Artes Museum

4. Pasaje Lanin

5. Jewish Buenos Aires Tour

6. A late night game of pool at 36 Billaries

7. Futbol at River Plate stadium--watch River or the Argentina national team in a World Cup qualifier or the Copa Libertator tournament.

8. Feria in Mataderos

9. A day of horseback riding at estancia los Dos Hermanos

10. Afternoon tea at Cafe Violetas

11. The lunch buffet at the Alvear Palace

12. A drink (martinis are excellent) at the Plaza bar, Plaza Marriott Hotel

13. Opera at Teatro Colon (currently closed for renovation).

14. Plaza de Mayo

15. San Telmo

16. Wandering the streets of Palermo Soho...boutique shopping, trendy bars and restaurants.

17. A search for the perfect ice cream or empanadas.

18. Evita Museum

19. Tango in some form...observing on the street, taking a dance lesson or two, going to a dinner show

20. A search for the perfect steak..la Cabrera, La Brigada, El Mirasol are all good places to start.

Bonus: The over-hyped AV Rooster.

About drdawggy's "Bonus":

After the "Brown episode", availability could be rather limited, to put it mildly.

The above is an "inside joke", for which I apologize, if someone does not understand.

Boy, this is a heck of a list. I gotta get back down there, pronto.

A Boca game, plus a search for the perfect steak (we do really love La Cabrera), a stroll around Recoleta's leafy streets, a slow lunch at a nice cafeteria downtown and some shopping for leather goods makes a heck of a trip. Have fun. BAires es padrisimo.

<<<< Bonus: The over-hyped AV Rooster>>>>

Yes! I/We keep hearing about this famous old dude! A legend (in the making, if not already!)
tptr

I would add:

Museo Xul Solar
A long walk puctuated by cafe stops along Avenida Santa Fe

For outside BA - Visiting San Antonio De Areco

Seeksocean:

I am still culling my own to do list, but this struck me as a good starting list to add to the others. Have fun in Bs As. ~MarnieWDC


http://baires.elsur.org/archives/30-...-buenos-aires/

The Fortabat museum at Puerto Madero is now open.

Dear DrDawggy and Crellston and Skatedancer (goes without saying!)...You are wonderful!! Thanks!

And thanks to the rest of you as well!! AVrooster..You are practically a 'rockstar' on Fodors!!Keep it coming.

One more thing..always one more thing...When we were in Crete during Greek Orthodox Easter, so many sites to see were closed down for the holidays. Since we will be in BA for Christmas, how many days should we anticapate on either side of Christmas for the city (museums, etc.)to be closed down?

For Christmas - are you talking 2009? whoa, you plan in advance! I agree Recoleta Cemetery is a must see, definitely take the ferry to Colonia, Uruguay, and my favourite in BA, the Armenian Cultural Centre in Palermo on a Friday night for dance lessons at La Estrella/La Viruta. Either salsa or tango, packed, awesome, easy. Buen viaje!

MarnieWDC

Great link. There are a few things on that list I have yet to try....but will go on my list for future travel.

Yes, 2009. Yes, I plan WAY in advance when I can and get great benefits that way. Best small hotels, great tour guides that have time for me and mine, etc. Plus, it's a lot of fun to start early on research.

I still am wondering what is usually closed that time of year (days before and a few days after Christmas). Help, por favor.

Marnie, That link really is amazing! Thanks so much!!! XOXO Seeks

Oh Ya, Still waiting to find out how many days before and after Christmas that BA 'shuts down'. It'll help in my rez plans. Thanks!