My husband and I leave for our first trip to BA in four weeks, and I'm looking for tips from the experts on how to spend our first day. We'll be in BA for six nights, staying at Art Suites. We arrive at 9 am and can't check in until 3, so I want to figure out the best way to spend our time between stowing our luggage & checking in (at which point we'll unpack, nap, shower, and pick a place for dinner that night.)

I'm asking for advice because I anticipate that we'll be tired (we're bad flyers who rarely manage to sleep much on overnight flights) and it's my husband's first time in South America, so I think it might be a lot to take in at first. Regarding our pace, we're viewing the trip as much-needed R&R, so we're not trying to cram the days with activities so much as we just want to walk a ton, eat well, and learn about/enjoy the city. (We're 30-something citydwellers who love to walk everywhere.)

That said, does it make sense to take some kind of city tour on Day 1? Or is that not a good idea because of possible flight delays? Is it better to say that we'll wander around Barrio Norte & Recoleta on our own? It will be a Saturday when we arrive, if that makes any difference to what we do.

Any tips, first-day routines, or ideas about what to see within walking distance of Art Suites would be appreciated! We're really starting to get excited about the trip.
Thanks!

I'd suggest going to the Art Suites first, to see if an early check-in is available, which would change everything. If not, they should be able to hold your luggage until your room is ready. Walk around the Recoleta, take a look at the cemetery or the artisan fair and have lunch at the Rodi Bar or at El Sanjuanino, which are not so touristy and comparatively cheap restaurants in a very touristy area. After that, your room should be ready.

Do not bring any expensive jewelry and keep money, your passports and any valuables in the room safe. Carry only a copy of your passports.

If you get an early check-in and feel like it, you could do that city tour. I don't think much advance notice is required.

San Telmo on Sunday is an obvious choice. There is A LOT in this forum about what to do in BA and all you have to do is choose which activities would be best for you.

Have a great time in our town.

Thanks, AVRooster! I have been keeping a list of suggested places to eat, and I will add them to the list. Since we have a kitchenette, I think we may also follow Scarlett's directions to a market and stock up on fruit and wine and snacks...I love going to food stores and markets in other places and look forward to that.

We are indeed hoping to wander San Telmo on Sunday; we've also been monitoring the forum (and reading up) for other good suggestions.

Thanks for your help!

I would take it easy the first day- and if you feel like wandering just go out and get to know your neighborhood- stop and eat and have a cafe and watch how the locals to do.

Also for the Sunday in San Telmo try the Eternautas tour - they do a cool one from Plaza de Mayo to San Telmo and it ends right in the fair - cool history and architecture lesson.

I would suggest taking it easy, asking the concierge for a restaurant, and just people-watching the first day.

We were pretty wiped after our flight, so we did nothing that required concentration. I think even a city tour would have required too much brain activity on our first day.

Thanks for the additional tips, ctong and rwolesjr. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who likes to take it easy on the first day.

The Eternautas tour sounds like a great tip; we'll check it out!

I was pretty wiped out when I arrived too. Went to the Cemetary, walked around the church next door and then stopped at a local cafe and sat and people watched. Went back and took a nap and then went out later that night. Very jealous that you are going as I have not yet found a way to go back. Had to spend my hard-earned vacation/money this year on a family get-together in Disney World. Argh........enjoy. Don't miss a tango show.

i agree that wondering is a good idea- you can find really great stuff and can go back whenever you want. i found that when i got here i was a bit tired but my adrenaline to see the city got me over that hump. also, half of the ba experience is sitting at a cafe and relaxing, so you could try that, maybe something like cafe tortoni right by plaza de mayo and the pink house, not very expensice if you just go for lunch or a coffee.

Cheers!