Destination attractions things to do in sao paulo

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Does your idea of a fun vacation involve an overflow of beautiful ancient, historical and modern art? Do you love to party with tons of people in a mega-city that never sleeps? Then Sao Paulo, Brazil is the place for you. Many people think New York is the city to trump all cities, but Sao Paulo and its 20 million residents make the Big Apple seem rather small.

Known by many for its great coffee and investment opportunities, Sao Paulo is a remarkable city with much more to offer, including tons of cultural monuments, great food and never-ending parties. Because of its size and density, the city can be overwhelming and intimidating if you dont know what youre looking for before you go.

When people say that Sao Paulo is big, they mean it. Referred to as a megalopolis, the major city area of Sao Paulo is spread across 3,000 miles or 580 square miles. Because of its size, you might want to take a tour before deciding where you want to go. There are several companies that provide tours which range from 3 to 4 hours and take you to various spots. You can the see the old downtown section, Republic square, historical districts, ethnic neighborhoods, various stadiums, shopping districts, and famous parks or gardens. There is even a tour of the city given via the subway system.

The Sacred Museum of Art, located in an 18th century monastery, holds a great collection of South American colonial artifacts. It also has a beautiful and tranquil garden called the Jardin de la Luz; The Garden of the Light. The Sao Paulo Museum of Art is a major attraction in the city and holds both European and Brazilian art dating back centuries. With the finest collection in the entire city, it includes works by Van Gogh, Renoir and Degas. Another famous spot is Sao Paulos zoo, which spans over 200 acres and houses more than 3,000 animals, many of them endangered. The Botanical Gardens house over 3,000 plants from over 300 species, including an orchid house and several aquatic plans.

Tourists enjoy star gazing at the Planetarium through its 48-foot dome. In addition to almost 9,000 stars, you can catch a glance of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The planetarium is nestled in the Parque do Ibirapuera, the citys formidable rival to New Yorks Central Park with a really gorgeous lake. The city also holds three major museums; Modern Art, Contemporary Art and Aeronautics. Along with a restaurant and several cafes, you can find a childrens playground and joggers track.

If youre interested in viewing danger from a safe distance, take a trip to the Butanta Institute where you can see and learn anything there is to know about the tens of thousands of snakes kept there for study and observation. There are also several architectural sites of interest, including the recently restored Municipal Theatre, built between 1903 and 1911. The House of Roses is a French mansion turned cultural center that sits in between skyscrapers.

If shopping is your thing, Sao Paulos weekend markets and fairs are welcoming and fun. Youll find a great selection of precious stones, leather and more, but the most fun can be had in the people watching. Republic Square is a major tourist stop because its gigantic Sunday fair is loaded with arts and crafts, great ethnic food and live music. The Higienopolis shopping center is where the well-to-do shop for luxury items from the best stores. The mall, with five huge levels, is a work of art itself, designed with a mixture of classic European style and Japanese efficiency.

With five major theme parks, 272 cinemas and 102 theatres, Sao Paulo has more than enough for the leisure seeker to sit back and enjoy. Youll find the biggest stars on the world stage performing there every week. A major sports mecca, Sao Paulo also holds seven large sports stadiums and the Interlagos Racetrack, host to the only Grand Prix circuit venue in Latin America.

Lets face it, when most of us travel, we do it for the food. Eating is one of the biggest attractions in Sao Paulo, a city recognized around the world for its cuisine. They dont call it the world gastronomy capital for nothing. With over 12,500 restaurants youll get a chance to taste the best of almost any ethnicity you can think of.

If you just want to stop for a quick drink or check out a club for one of those parties the city is world famous for, youre in luck. Party is Sao Paulos last name and with over 15,000 bars spread across the city, they own up to it. You can choose among countless themes whether its All The Jazz, The Bourbon Street Music Club, Elemento or the very English and always packed Charles Edward. Dont think your club selection is a dud just because you dont see a lot of people there when you arrive around nine or ten. Most locals dont show up until midnight.

If quaint, quiet and small is your thing, Sao Paolo is probably not the city for you. However, if you like a good party, tons of great food and a culture immersed in art from the several immigrant communities that form it, youll want to check this city out.