Parque General San Martín

Frommer's Review

Almost as big as the city itself, this wonderful park, designed in 1896 by Carlos Thays (who also designed the Palermo parks in Buenos Aires), extends over 350 hectares (865 acres) with 17km (11 miles) of idyllic pathways and 300 species of plants and trees. A tourist office, near the park's main entrance, provides information on all park activities, which include walking, jogging, bicycling, boating, horseback riding (outside the park's perimeters), and hang gliding. The stunning entrance gates were originally made for the Turkish Sultan Hamid II but ended up as a gift to Mendoza from England. Don't miss the rose garden, the Islas Malvinas soccer stadium (which was built for the 1978 soccer World Cup), or the hustle and bustle at the Club de Regattas. There's even a golf course . A national science museum and zoo (daily 9am-6pm) are located inside the park, and you can also camp here. The best hike leads to the top of Cerro de la Gloria, which, at 960m (3,149 ft.) above sea level, offers a panoramic view of the city and surrounding valley, as well as a bronze monument to the men who liberated Argentina, Chile, and Peru. You can hang glide from the top of the other hill, Cerro Arco.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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