Family Exploration of Argentina: Cities, Mountains & Wildlife - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Explore 

Welcome to Argentina! South America's second-largest country is home to a rich history and an abundance of natural wonders—perfect for a family adventure. Your flight lands in the capital city of Buenos Aires, and a private driver will collect you from the airport to transfer you to your hotel. After you and the kids have had a chance to rest and regroup, head out to explore this vibrant city.

For some educational fun, start at local museums like Museo Participativo de Ciencias (Science Participation Museum), which has interactive displays that encourage kids to participate in scientific activities and learning, or Museo de los Niños, a museum specifically designed for little ones, with exhibits that cover topics like science, technology, and the environment. And older kids or teens might enjoy a tour of MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires), which has a wide variety of art that includes works by famous artists like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.

If the youngsters in your group need to burn some energy, head to Parque Tres de Febrero, Buenos Aires' oldest park. This nearly 1,000-acre (400 ha) green space in the Palermo neighborhood features tree-lined pathways, peaceful lakes, and a giant carousel. The kids can take a spin on the carousel or explore the play areas while you enjoy the beautiful gardens. Later, stop by the Buenos Aires Eco-Park, formerly the Buenos Aires Zoo, where you'll find various species of birds and wildlife, as well as a butterfly enclosure. Tonight, enjoy a traditional meal at a local parrilla (steakhouse)  before heading back to your hotel. 

Day 2: Buenos Aires City Tour, Tango Show & Dinner

Get better acquainted with the city on a guided tour today. Your guide will collect you from your hotel, and you'll set off to explore the local neighborhoods and historical landmarks. Start at the Plaza de Mayo, home to the National Government Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral. Learn about the history of these important landmarks, then head to Plaza de la República and see the Obelisco (Obelisk), a 221-foot (67 m) monument built by architect Alberto Prebisch. You'll also visit the Cabildo (Old City Hall) and Nine de Julio Avenue, one of the city's main streets, named in honor of Argentina's Independence Day. 

Afterward, make your way to La Boca, an artsy district known for its brightly-painted houses. Soccer fans in the family will be thrilled to know that this is the location for the legendary Boca Juniors Football Club, where the great Diego Maradona played. Pass through Puerto Madero, a former port area that is now one of the most exclusive residential areas in the city, then finish in the neighborhood of Recoleta, where the star attraction is the Recoleta Cemetery. See the extravagant mausoleums where Argentina's most famous residents are buried, including actress and former first lady Eva "Evita" Perón. 

This evening, continue your family's education into Argentine culture with a tango show accompanied by dinner. Tango is considered the heart of Buenos Aires, and there is no better way to showcase the spirit and essence of the city than through this traditional music and dance. The show will take place at a local restaurant where, after enjoying a delicious meal, you'll see a spectacular presentation of this acclaimed dance performed by some of the city's best dancers, singers, and musicians. 

Day 3: Fiesta Gaucha Experience, Tigre Delta Tour 

This morning's excursion takes you to an estancia (ranch) called Santa Susana, located an hour outside of Buenos Aires. Learn the lifestyle and history of the Argentine gaucho (cowboy) as you spend the day at a working ranch that includes live horseback riding demonstrations, music shows, and dance performances of the tango and malambo. The kids will get a chance to meet the horses and other farm animals, and you can take a family horseback tour or ride in a sulky (horse-drawn cart) around the property. Enjoy a lunch of empanadas, barbecue, soft drinks for the kids, and local wines for the adults.

Day 4: Fly to Ushuaia, Explore

Your next destination is the quaint town of Ushuaia. At the appointed time, a driver will transport you to the airport for your flight—a quick hop of an hour and 15 minutes. The Yamanas people originally settled this small town, and they are the ones who named it Ushuaia, which means "protected bay." The town sits on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, nicknamed the "End of the World" because of its remote location on the tip of South America. 

After you check in at your hotel, the rest of the day is yours. If you want to explore at your own pace, the kids might enjoy a visit to the Thematic Gallery of the Historia Fueguina, where more than 120 character life-size figures take you through the history of the region. Or you can unearth the story of the scariest and most dangerous criminals at the Prison Museum. 

Take a hike up to the Martial Glacier, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Ushuaia, or for even more stunning views of the countryside, take a guided tour of the Beagle Channel. This waterway runs between Argentina and Chile, and in addition to breathtaking vistas of the mountains and city, the kids are likely to spot sea lions, penguins, and other marine wildlife. Relax at your hotel tonight after checking out the fresh seafood Ushuaia is known for, or stop in at one of the several microbreweries that you'll find here for adult libations and snacks for the kids.

Day 5: Tierra del Fuego National Park, End of the World Train Ride, Sea Lion Island 

Your family adventure continues with a visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park. The park encompasses more than 240 square miles (629 sq km) and was nicknamed the "Land of Fires" by early explorers. Here you'll find stunning natural landscapes that include Andean-Patagonian forests, mountains that rise from the sea, and lakes that seem to go on forever. The park also makes the end of the Pan-American route that begins in Alaska and stretches more than 9,000 miles (15,000 km) before ending in the park—hence its moniker, "The End of the World."

You'll start at the End of the World Train Station. Here, you'll have the opportunity to take a 60-minute steam engine ride into the park, which takes you past rivers, bogs, and the impressive Macarena Waterfall. Visit Ensenada, where the Andes mountains, sub-Antarctic forest, and the sea meet, and see the archaeological remains of the people who once lived here. Finish at Acigami Glacier Lake and Lapataia Bay, the end of the Pan American route. The park also has what is known as the last post office in America, where the kids can send postcards to family and friends from the end of the world! 

For more wildlife viewing, take a catamaran ride along Ushuaia Bay and to the Beagle Channel, where you'll sail around the Island of Birds and see various birdlife such as skúas, black-browed albatross, steam ducks, and gray gulls. Then you'll head to Sea Lions Island, where the kids can wave at the sea lions lounging along the shores. Finish your tour at Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, where your family will learn about the sinking of the SS Monte Cervantes that occurred here, as well as how the lighthouse came to be misnamed the "Lighthouse of the End of the World." 

Day 6: Walk with Penguins on Martillo Island

Make the most of your final full day in Argentina with a visit to a penguin rookery. You'll head out via bus to Estancia Harberton, located about an hour's drive from Ushuaia. The farm was the first in the area, founded in 1886 by the Anglican missionary Thomas Bridges. From here, you'll board a boat and take a 15-minute ride to Martillo Island. The island, which is on the Beagle Channel, is part of the estancia and is home to a large rookery of Magellanic penguins, one of only three Magellanic penguin rookeries in Tierra del Fuego. 

After you disembark, your guide will take you on a "walk with the penguins," sure to be the highlight of the day for the kids! See the penguins and their young in their natural habitat while your guide shares information on the penguins and their nesting areas. Families should keep in mind that visitors are not allowed to approach or feed the penguins, and silence is encouraged in order to prevent any disturbance to the bird's nesting habits or daily activities. 

Day 7: Depart Ushuaia

It's time to say goodbye to Argentina! After breakfast at your hotel, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport as you begin the journey back home or to your next destination. Safe travels!

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