We are planning a trip to Buenos Aires Dec. 16 through Dec. 21. I am wondering what we should plan on seeing in and around the city.

Enjoy a steak and a bottle of Malbec in a local Parrilla

Recoleta Cemetery

A Tango Show

Plaza de Mayo

San Telmo (Sunday street fair if possible)

Palermo's Parks

Museums...Bellas Artes, MALBA and Evita museums...

La Boca (because it seems obligatory for all first time tourists)

Cafe Tortoni and/or La Biela

Concur with drdawggy. If you could let us know where you are staying, we can give better hits. If you like leather goods, then BA is the place to have a custom made leather jacket or coat. I was there for only 3 days but had one made for my wife in a day.
Also, Avenida Florida is a pedestrian steet which is worth a visit.

We are presently looking for an apartment for rent...there will be four of us, with the other two staying on for a couple more weeks.

Any suggestions on which areas of the city in which to rent an apartment would be helpful. Thanks!

zap:

Anything you want to know of a generalized nature can be found in a good guide book for the city -- of which I recommend the Time Out Guide to Buenos Aires highly.

It's easier for those that know the city to provide more specific information if you provide some details about your likes, dislikes, wants, needs, as well as any "dealbreakers" or things you just can't tolerate.

Choosing an area in Buenos Aires is akin to choosing an area in NYC -- it's not that there are many "wrong" areas -- it's just that there are those that are more right for your trip.

Oh I should add: the Time out is in addition to the Fodor's Each has their needed uses.

i also like the Dr's list....

i also would add the puerto area....its almost all new and fresh, but has a charm that is totally different than the traditional BA areas....its BA today...

I agree, dr dawggy has a great list !
And I agree about, 'do not miss' Puerto Madero. It is a wonderful way to view the city skyline, especially at night and the Ecological Reserve is there and worth a break in the noisy city day with some quiet and only bird noises to disturb you :- )

In addition to the parks in Palermo, I suggest the Parks in Recoleta.. as you walk out of the Belle Artes Museum, walk in their series of parks towards Palermo, each one is so beautiful and each is a little different..
And of course, Plaza Francia and Plaza Mitre.. Pup's favorite parks.

For time management, think about taking a walking or bike tour of the must-see spots of the city. Here are a few local companies that may be worth checking out:

http://en.urbanbiking.com/
http://www.ba-walking-tours.com/
http://www.easybuenosairescity.com/tours1.htm

Stay in Recoleta-- quite safe, attractive, distinctive ambience, superb area for walking to museums and to the cemeterey. Go to the Evita Museum via taxi; hire my guide Marcelo at www.ciceroneba.com.ar. His rate was reasonable for me when I traveled with him solo; it should be reasonable on your wallets since there are more than one in your party.

I rented my apartment from www.bairesapartments.com. I can't remember if an "ar" ends the website. I sent Martin an email with five apartments which interested me; I asked him which one of the five would he advise that I take in regard to location. He guided me well.

In terms of must sees and dos: Go to the Galerias Pacificfo for its ambience if not for anything else. It's a beautiful shopping center right off Florida Street. I went there and meandered all three or four floors, looking into shops, and taking photos in the outer areas. ...had my Swiss Army watch adjusted without the shop charging me anything. Ate lunch is a major restaurant that's there. ...enjoyed the immediate and surrounding area, esp. at the end of Florida which takes one to a beautiful park and the military building.
WALKING is a must esp. in the spring.

Go to San Telmo on a Sunday as previously mentioned. Buy a copy of DK Eyewitness Travel: Argentina. This is a superb source.

Lunch with avrooster...

A free stay at Crellston's B&B in the NW.....

Thanks, this is great advice. We are looking at an apartment in an area of Palermos which overlooks Las Heras Park. One block from Las Heras Avenue and close to Santa Fe Avenue.

That should be a good area, what do you think?

That sounds like a wonderful area to stay in. Just be careful of the noise factor - unless that is of no concern to you.

If you ask the rentors what floor the apt. is on, what direction the bedrooms face and if they consider it a 'noisy' apartment, it appears they will be honest about that.

I love that area. ~Marnie

Hi zap! That's a great area in Buenos Aires! I always suggest people stay either in the Recoleta district, or Barrio Norte or the Palermo area (which is very big)
San Telmo is the least recommended, it is not the safest area in town, even though it is a must see in our city. It's full of antique shops and on Sundays you can visit the fair. Beyond that... not a recommended are to stay at.

Have a great time in our city!

Zap:

I may be in Buenos Aires at the same time as you! My visit will be short as well.

No one has mentioned taking a day trip to Iguazu Falls. I wonder if 5 days is considered too short a visit to do that.

Leburta, there are several good day trips from BsAs, but I do not believe that Iguazzu Falls is one of them. It requires flying (perhaps an overnight bus) and you would spend more time traveling there than enjoying the incredible Falls.

Consider an estancia for a day or overnight, Tigre Delta for a day (short train ride to and fro) or Colonia by ferry for a day in Uruguay. All good day trips.

Enjoy your stay in Buenos Aires - 5 days is not a lot for all there is to see and do and just experience. ~Marnie

Leburta, a day trip to the falls is possible. However, it's not recommended for the reasons MarnieWDC has mentioned. 2 days is perfect, you can also have an overnight trip or as you suggested: a day trip. For this last option, you have to take the earliest flight to Iguazú (departing 9:20 am) and the latest to return (departing from Iguazú at 5:45pm). As I said, it's not the most convenient option but many people have done this (I mentioned this in several topics). In a daytrip you won't be able to explore the entire park but at least you can see the biggest attraction inside it: the Devil's Throat!
I hope this info has been useful!

Ah, I didn't realize that it was that long a trip. Perhaps a early flight to see the park and overnight stay before flying back to Buenos Aires late the next day? I'll have to explore the options you mentioned a little more.

Leburta, yes, that is what many people do. Fly the first flight out ( if you can, stay at the Sheraton in the Park) and fly back the next afternoon.

The Open Bus tours in BA are a good way to see town from up there on the nice new double decker bus to get a sort of orientation of the town and how spread out it is..