Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral) Av. Rep. do Chile 245 021-240-2869 A truly unique design.  The interior is ornately decorated and highly representative of the period.

Cinelândia This downtown landmark is lined by a sequence of movie theaters.  It houses a large open area that has become Rio's version of London's Hyde Park.

Convento do Santo Antônio Largo da Carioca 021-262-0129 The convent was completed in 1780, but some parts date from 1608. This is one of Rio's oldest structures. Its baroque interior contains priceless and ornate colonial art. The convent exhibits woodcarvings and a variety of wall paintings. It is a local custom that single women looking for husbands come to pray here!

Igreja Candelária (Candelária Church) Praça Pio X. 021-233-2324 The classic symmetry of Candelária's white dome and bell towers are a well-recognized site of Rio.

Museu Chácara do Céu (Museum of the Small Farm of the Sky) Rua Murtinho Nobre 93 021-232-1386 The museum features an impressive modern-art collection donated by the Raymundo de Castro Maya. His collection included 20th-century masters as Picasso, Braque, Dalí, Degas, Matisse, Modigliani, and Monet. The museum also offers a great view of the city!

Palácio Catete (Catete Palace) Rua do Catete 153 021-225-4302 The former official residence of Brazil's presidents is today the Museu da República (Museum of the Republic).  The museum features  presidential memorabilia, period furniture and paintings.

Museu Histórico Nacional (National History Museum) Praça Marechal Ancora 021-240-9529 The museum is made up of an intriguing collection of colonial buildings.  The archives include more than 300 rare documents and colonial artifacts.

Museu Nacional das Belas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts) Av. Rio Branco 199 021-240-0160 The museum houses works by Brazil's leading 19th- and 20th-century artists.

Planetário da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro Planetarium) Praça Padre Leonel França 021-274-0096 Rio's only planetarium should attract anyone interested in the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.  Classical music soundtracks accompany all shows. Visitors can also view the night skies through a telescope!

Parque Nacional da Tijuca (Tijuca National Park) Praça Afonso 021-224-324 This dense tropical rain forests provides a home for thousands of life forms. It is considered to be the largest city forest in the world.  The park is a paradise of gushing waterfalls, jungle trails, and tropical flowers.  Visitors can hike the trails as well as take a swim in one of the many majestic waterfalls

Quinta de Boa Vista Av. Rio Branco 021-254-2024 This natural park is a city-owned complex, which features the Jardim Zoológico zoo and the Nacional Museu, as well as hundreds of acres of lush park.  Canoes can be rented for paddling around the ponds, and shows are often performed on a stage located in the  middle of a lake.

Jardim Zoológico (Zoo) Av. Rio Branco 021-254-2024 The zoo offers a close-up of Brazil's native animals.  The zoo provides a home for  alligators, monkeys, snakes, big cats, an impressive tropical bird aviary, and elephants. Children can enjoy a ride in a little train throughout the park.

National Museum Av. Rio Branco 021-254-2024 The museum displays everything from prehistoric fish skeletons, artifacts from Pompeii, crafts by Native Americans and Amazonians, to traditional crafts.