Buenos Aires is a sprawling city of 13 million people crammed into 48 districts.  With numbers that large, a list of things to see and do could easily get overwhelming.  So to make your task less daunting, we’ve narrowed it down to 10 things every tourist should do in Buenos Aires.

10.  Walk Caminito street.

The seedy barrio of La Boca is home to Caminito street, a colorful oasis of artists, tango dancers and over-priced souvenirs.  The histrionic antics of people trying to lure you into their stalls and restaurants make this the most touristy area in Buenos Aires.  However, the brightly colored corrugated steel houses of early Italian immigrants (called conventillos) provide some of the most unique and picturesque architecture in the city.  The street is lined with paintings and sculptures, and there’s even a nearby wax museum (at 1261 Del Valle Iberlucea) that depicts scenes from colonial times to present (most likely devoid of the “tattooed gangsters robbing tourist” scene).

9.  Relax in the parks of Palermo.

Palermo is the largest barrio in Buenos Aires, yet despite its size it is considered the most exclusive neighborhood.  Much of Palermo is occupied by a vast system of lush green parks and gardens replete with shady picnic areas, walking trails, lakes and colorful foliage.  The complex is made up of the Botanical Gardens, Japanese Gardens, Zoological Gardens, Rose Gardens and the Parque Tres de Febrero (called the Palermo Woods) and also includes major attractions such as the world-famous polo grounds, a horse racing track, the Galileo Galilei Planetarium and a plethora of monuments.

8.  Shop for inexpensive leather.

Thanks to a fortuitous exchange rate (currently 3.8 pesos to 1 American dollar) and a carnivorous culture that supplies an abundance of cow carcass, leather goods like saddles, belts, boots and even cup holders are ridiculously inexpensive.  Custom-made leather jackets can be purchased for as low as $100 on popular shopping streets like Calle Florida, Avenida Santa Fe and Avenida Corrientes.

7.  Cross the Bridge of Woman.

The Puente de la Mujer is a pedestrian footbridge that spans the third dock in Puerto Madero.  This barrio is the only neighborhood in the world where all the streets are named after important women in Argentine history, and the Bridge of Woman continues that theme.  The bridge, an abstract representation of a couple dancing the tango, doesn’t provide much of a romantic view (unless you consider old cranes and brick buildings with Hooters restaurants and trash bobbing atop muddy waters romantic).  Adjacent to the bridge is the Frigate Sarmiento, a retired Navy vessel that circumnavigated the globe six times; it’s now a ship museum.

6.  Buy something old at the San Telmo antiques fair.

Even if you’re not a decrepit, silver-haired woman looking to complete her thimble collection, you’re bound to find something rusty to take home at the San Telmo antiques fair.  Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Plaza Dorrego packs in hundreds of stalls with vendors selling everything from inaccurate old maps to used military uniforms to offensive negro dolls to jewelry and watches that Grandpa Rigor Mortis doesn’t need anymore.  The entire street of Defensa, which runs through Plaza Dorrego, is also closed down on Sunday and lined with stands selling antiques, handmade jewelry, original paintings, retro clothing, and mate cups with fresh mate (a popular South American beverage).

5.  Check out the Floralis Generica.

The Floralis Generica, which may or may not translate to “the big metal flower,” is a 75-foot tall steel and aluminum sculpture of a flower located in United Nations Plaza.  The flower remains open during the day but wilts shut at sundown.  United Nations Plaza, adjacent to the University of Law building, is one of the few places in Buenos Aires you don’t have to worry about stepping in dog poop — dogs are off-limits.

4.  Visit Evita’s grave at the Recoleta Cemetery.

The Recoleta Cemetery is like a microcosm of Buenos Aires: a gridded layout that’s easy to navigate, structures designed in the Art Nouveau style, and plenty of stray animals.  You won’t find any hedge stones in this cemetery; instead, you’ll find opulent mausoleums larger than my apartment, adorned with religious statues and stained glass windows.  Many famous porteños are buried here, but the only person you’ll remember from your high school history books is Eva Peron, the controversial First Lady of Argentina from 1946-1951.  Even though she’s buried 27-feet below ground in a concrete tomb capable of withstanding a nuclear attack, we’re pretty sure she rolled over when Madonna played her in “Evita”.

3.  Eat a steak in a parrilla.

Like any major city, Buenos Aires is a melting pot of gastronomy with basically every genre of food available.  But the ubiquitous parrilla (Spanish for barbeque) is by far the most popular dining option.  Argentina’s well-maintained grass-fed cows produce some of the most tender, moist and juicy cuts of beef in the world.  And with so much meat available, high-quality steaks and huge portions (we’re talking 2-pound slabs of beef) are incredibly cheap.

2.  Dance the tango.

Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango.  You can’t walk a block without seeing a tango hall, tango workshop center, tango music store or tribute to Carlos Gardel, “The King of Tango.”  This seductive dance form is a hallmark of Argentine culture, one that you must partake in to truly experience the porteño lifestyle.  Despite its current reputation as a classy dance, the tango has rather dubious origins.  A hundred years ago, brothels were like the DMV where men had to wait hours before a woman became available; so men started to dance with each other to pass the time, hence tango was conceived (hopefully the only thing conceived in the brothel).

1.  Walk historic Avenida de Mayo.

The best place to understand and appreciate Buenos Aires is on Avenida de Mayo.  The two-mile stretch between Plaza del Congreso and Plaza de Mayo features most of the city’s important historical and architectural attractions.  On one end is Congreso, the Argentine National Congress building that looks strikingly similar to The White House, and on the other end is Casa Rosada, the presidential headquarters or “Pink House” as it is commonly called because the facade was originally painted with cow’s blood that dried and turned pink.

A walk along Avenida de Mayo will also take you to the striking neoclassical Casa de Cultura, the Cabildo (the last remaining public building dating back to colonial times), the Metropolitan Cathedral (a church containing the remains of General Jose de San Martin, “The Father Of The Nation”), Cafe Tortoni (the most famous cafe in the city), and Palacio Barolo (designed to symbolize Dante’s “Divine Comedy” and topped with a lighthouse that represents salvation).  Half way through you’ll cross Avenida 9 de Julio, the largest avenue in the world, featuring a 220-foot tall Obelisk.

Tours and museums are available in many of these buildings, but plan your schedule around the march of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday.  The mothers continue to march in honor of the 30,000+ children who were kidnapped during Argentina’s Dirty War from 1976-1983, many of who still clutch pictures of their own missing children in the hope that they will one day return.

The Lesser Quarter is the best district in Prague to appreciate old world splendor.  The district has been relatively untouched for centuries, providing a great snapshot of historically authentic Prague.  In other words, expect lots of churches, palaces and parks.

The Churches of the Lesser Quarter

If there’s one thing Prague can’t seem to get enough of, it’s churches.  And like the other districts of Prague, the Lesser Quarter showcases another handful of churches that need to be seen (even if all the angelic imagery grows tiresome).

Church Of Our Lady Victorious is home to one of the most important statues in the Catholic world: the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague.  You know something’s important when it has its own website.  People come from all over the world to see this miracle-giving statue.

Church of St. Nicholas (Chrám sv. Mikuláše) is the most dominant and revered church in the Lesser Quarter.  This church is a fantastic example of the elaborate Baroque style of architecture, from the fresco in the 230-foot high dome ceiling to the copper statues adoring the high altar, to the golden cherubs lining the ornate pulpit to a magnificent organ that was played by Mozart in 1787.

The Palaces Of The Lesser Quarter

Megalomania is on display at the Wallenstein Palace and Garden.  Albrecht Wenzel von Wallenstein was a Commander-in-Chief during the 30 Years War in the 17th century who really let success go to his head.  After the war, he bought up 26 houses, 6 gardens and 2 other structures with plans to build a complex that would rival the Prague Castle.  It falls significantly short, but it’s still impressive.

Visitors can wander the Main Hall, the Mythological and Astronomical corridors and a massive garden with a fountain, grotto and aviary.  Today the building is home to the Senate of the Czech Republic.

The Nostitz Palace is an elegantly refined 17th century building that used to belong to a wealthy Prague family.  Today it’s home to the Dutch embassy and the Ministry of Culture.  Concerts take place here in the summer.

The 17th century Vrtba Palace is a magnificent palace that’s overshadowed by its even more magnificent garden.  This unique Baroque garden creeps up the slope of Petrin Hill for fantastic views of the city.  The garden, with its elegant staircases and flower beds and statues, is a UNESCO protected monument.

The Parks, Gardens And Squares Of The Lesser Quarter

Kampa Park takes up most of Kampa Island and it seems like they should change the name to “Dog Park.”  It’s like everyone who owns a dog in Prague takes their pet here.  I don’t know how people in Prague train their dogs, but these were some of the most quiet, obedient dogs we’ve ever encountered… not one was on a leash.  This peaceful park is also home to the Museum Kampa.

The Grand Priory Square is home to palaces such as the Grand Prior of the Knights of Malta and the Buquoy Palace, which is now the French embassy.  It’s also home to a very slow moving mill in the Devil’s Stream.  But this area is more famous for its graffiti.  The Lennon Wall has been an artistic playground for symbols and poems of love and peace since John Lennon’s death.

Maltese Square showcases centuries of architectural styles in a compact area.  Numerous palaces line the square, including the Nostitz Palace and the pink Rococo Turba Palace, home to the Japanese embassy.  In the center of the square is a statue of St. John The Baptist.

The Ledebour Garden is located at the base of a steep slope rising to Prague Castle.  The elegant garden features numerous staircases and terraces overlooking Renaissance-inspired garden designs.  Oddly enough, if there’s one thing the garden is lacking, it’s flowers.

Hyde Park is 350 aces — less than half of New York’s Central Park — of open space packed with a myriad of plant life, statues, memorials, horse trails and a lake called… the Serpentine River?  We don’t get it either.

A fun way of getting to Hyde Park is by taking the scenic route up Constitution Hill road.  They may as well name the culmination of this road “War Memorial Central”.  Near the end of the road, there’s a memorial to Commonwealth soldiers, and beyond that is the Wellington Arch in Hyde Park Corner.

Napoleon built the humongous Arch du Triomphe to celebrate his victories.  George IV built the much smaller Wellington Arch to celebrate his victories over Napoleon.  It really doesn’t scream “We won!”  It’s more of a “We sometimes won, but the point is we tried” monument.

There’s also the Royal Artillery Memorial, the New Zealand War Memorial and the Australian War Memorial.  I’m officially memorial-ed out.  The Grand Entrance to the park is at Hyde Park Corner, next to Apsley House.

On a nice, clear day, Hyde Park is a picturesque park that provides a breath of fresh air from the congested city.  It’s also a great place to relax and watch locals walk their dogs, feed the birds or watch runaway dogs chase the birds.

The soft dirt trail on the southern perimeter of the park is called Rotten Row, but really there’s not much rotten about it (except maybe some horse manure).

The park also houses a rose garden, the Diana Princess of Wales memorial and London’s Holocaust memorial.  The prize for most unusual tree in Hyde Park goes to the Weeping Beech, also called “the upside-down tree.” For a little more action, you can rent a boat or pay to go swimming in a partitioned section of the Serpentine.

If all that still sounds too uneventful, you can always head over to Speakers’ Corner where you can watch people engage in heated debates on anything from politics to religion to conspiracy theories to aliens.  Hey, London is expensive, so you can’t beat free entertainment, right?