Oh shit…your parents are here

Oh shit…your parents are coming to Buenos Aires. This is not a drill.

Maybe you’ve been here a few weeks, or maybe it’s been a couple of years. Either way, there’s always a different kind of pressure when planning an itinerary for your parents. Especially if they happened to fall into the camp that wasn’t entirely thrilled with your decision to relocate to South America. 

While it can seem like a daunting undertaking at first, just remember that one of the reasons Argentina’s charming capital attracts millions of visitors each year is because of the sheer variety of diverse things to do, see, taste, and experience.

Of course, the ideal itinerary for your parents will depend on their specific interests, but luckily, this city truly offers something for everyone. So take a deep breath, put your thinking cap on, and use this as a guide to get the ball rolling.

Classic Argentine Entertainment

From a sizzling tango show to an edge-of-your-seat fútbol match, there are a few must-see Argentine entertainment staples that you’ve gotta check off the Buenos Aires bucket list. Sure, some of them are unapologetically touristy, but your parents will love them nonetheless and return home with plenty of stories. 

Teatro Colón: One of the premier opera houses in the world, explore this lavishly-designed venue during a day tour, or dress up and catch a mesmerizing, unforgettable performance.

Tango Shows: No trip to BA would be complete without a little tango. Check out a classic dinner and tango show, arrange one-on-one lessons with a pro, or pop into a milonga like La Viruta for a truly authentic experience.

Fútbol Game: Another can’t-miss experience is scoring tickets to an unforgettable fútbol match that is sure to put the football games your parents know to shame. Boca Juniors’ games are the most popular, but tickets get pricey so consider other teams like San Lorenzo and River Plate.

Weekend Ferías: Spend the weekend leisurely strolling through one of the city’s countless ferías, or outdoor markets, where you can find antiques, jewelry, souvenirs, clothing, leather goods, and more.

Guided City Tour: Your parents will feel right at home after a guided city tour through Buenos Aires’ top sites and notable neighborhoods – plus, you can choose a bike tour, graffiti tour, or many other unique option themes. The city’s Hop On Hop Off bus is a great, inexpensive way to see the lay of the land. Also consider the San Telmo tunnels or El Zanjon while checking out the Sunday market.

Museum Hopping

It’s a fact – old people love museums. And lucky for you, Buenos Aires is full of ‘em. Your parents will undoubtedly be impressed with the city’s curated art collections that rival the best museums in the world. Plus, it will give them a firsthand look into the cultural diversity of Argentina and South America in general. Here are some worth checking out:

MALBA: One of the city’s most popular museums, MALBA’s mission is to collect, conserve, study, and create awareness of Latin American art from the early 20th century to the present.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes: With 12,000 pieces, it’s the largest public collection in Latin America and showcases heavy-hitters from all over the world, including Rodin, Degas, Van Gogh, Rothko, Pollock, and many more.
Planetario Galileo Galilei: Nestled in Palermo’s verdant parks, this planetarium offers a unique experience including a 360-degree celestial show, various exhibits, and astronomical courses.
Museo Evita: Get up close and personal with one of Argentina’s most emblematic figures, María Eva Duarte de Perón, with this intimate collection of film footage, clothing, photos, letters, and more from the former first lady. Catch lunch or tea in the large garden tucked away behind it.
Museo del Humor: Parents with a funny bone will love the Museum of Humor in Puerto Madero, brimming with exhibits of Argentine comics, satirical, and political cartoons from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Unique Buenos Aires

After covering the basics it’s time hit up some of what makes BA special. The old school cafes, the bizarre and the original will keep your parents gabbing away to their friends for weeks to come.

Cemetario de Chacarita The runner-up when it comes to famous cemeteries in Argentina this massive 230 acre ground is not to be skipped. Cut the tourist traffic to a sliver of what Recoleta receives and spend a couple of hours marveling at this city of the dead. Tradition has it that you should light up a cigarette when visiting Carlos Gardel‘s grave.
Palacio Barolo This Gothic tower in the center of town follows a subtle theme of Dante’s Divine Comedy. The architect Mario Palanti was believed to be a Freemason as there are several tips of the hat to the secretive organization. Informative tours are run most days and if unique architecture is your thing, Buenos Aires has many more to see.
36 Billares: Skip the touristy Cafe Tortoni and head to shoot some pool and sip some beers in this old school cafe. Dating back to 1914 this pool hall still draws a loyal following from the locals and lies on the picturesque Avenida de Mayo.

Eating Your Way Through BA

Spoiler alert: Your parents are going to need to eat at some point, and they’re going to be looking at you for the best recommendations. Whether your parents are adventurous eaters willing to scarf down a street side choripán, or more conservative epicures in search of a fancier affair, Buenos Aires is going to deliver (and no, that’s not a PedidosYa joke). A combination of authentic cooking classes, award-winning wine tastings, underground eateries, and world-ranked restaurants are sure to keep your parents full, but hungry for more. 

Puertas Cerradas: These secretive, closed-door restaurants are all the rage, and while there are plenty of different variations, some of our favorites include Paladar, Ocho Once, Treintasillas, and Jueves a la Mesa.
Essential Restaurants: While closed-door restaurants have an undeniable cool factor, there are tons of time-tested favorites and new joints to check out. These are some of Allie Lazar’s top picks from Pick Up The Fork.
Wine Tasting: Chances are, your parents will be looking forward to sipping on Argentina’s world-renowned wines, so be sure to set up at least one wine tasting – we recommend somewhere classy but casual like Palermo’s Pain et Vin.

Fresh Air

One of the things I first fell in love with about Buenos Aires was the sprawling green spaces and public parks strewn throughout the bustling metropolis. Sometimes you need to trade the hustle and bustle of city life for a little fresh air, and Buenos Aires has tons of options for a quick escape. Here are a few thought-starters to sprinkle into your itinerary and break up the day.

El Rosedal: This extensive rose garden is home to nearly 8,000 roses and 93 different species. Spend an afternoon wandering the different bloom-lined paths and strolling along the serene lake – trust us, mom will love it. Did we mention it’s free?
Jardín Botánico: Spanning nearly seven hectares, this triangular park was declared a national monument in 1996 and is home to 5,500 species of plants in addition to sculptures, monuments, a museum, and five greenhouses.
Day Trip to Tigre: Get the blood pumping with a day tour to Tigre, less than an hour from Buenos Aires. There you can sightsee by bike, kayak along the Paraná River delta, and visit the neighboring islands.
Jardín Japonés: Visit one of the world’s largest Japanese gardens (outside of Japan), which is incredibly authentic, from the carp lake to bonsai trees and handmade artesanal goods. Drop by the onsite restaurant for tea and sushi.
Estancia for Polo and Lessons: Polo is another one of Argentina’s famed sports worth experiencing firsthand. Book a day trip to an authentic estancia where a pro will give you a full day of polo lessons before enjoying an exhilarating match.
Hipodromo de Palermo: “…his mother was a mudder!” With races running every 30 minutes most days of the week the horse track in Palermo has something for everyone. Mom gets to check out the horses, dad gets to gamble, great for photographers and plenty of space in the cafes.