WHY WE LOVE IT HERE | Buenos Aires is a magnetic city to visit with our without kids. I have had the great pleasure of being welcomed into her midst on two separate occasions. Hot and sultry days are spent cafe and museum hopping, indulging in helado or cooling off by the pool, giving way to balmy and still evenings. The elegant boulevards and parks are great for strolling, while the Argentine culture of late night dining practically demands a collective afternoon siesta.
BEST TIME TO GO | Escape winter in the northern hemisphere and come enjoy Argentina's glorious summer from Nov-Mar
WHAT TO PACK | This time of year is hot and humid. Rompers, shorts, dresses in cotton or linen will be the most versatile. BA is definitely a stylish and flamboyant city with lots of great shopping so be sure to save room in your suitcase to bring home a few treasures.
TIPS | Airbnb's local guides are great but we also loved this tour company for customized and family-friendly tours.
We also loved the Eco Laundry Company for laundry drop-off - it was a treat to have someone else deal with the constant (read: never ending) cycle of cleaning of baby things
SLEEP
The Argentines do architecture and interior design right - with plenty of stylish self-catering apart/condos available for rent, it makes living like a local a total breeze. Plug yourself right into the community as though you have lived their your entire life. Depending on your length of stay, we recommend a rental if you plan to spend a week or longer - this is one of our favourites in Palermo. Shorter visits are best spent at Home Hotel
With so many amazing restaurants and cafes to choose from it can be hard to decide on just one. A brunch at Birkin Café is a must - on a quiet leafy street in Palermo, its Pacific-Northwestern inspired coffee menu and fresh smoothie bowls or vegan brunch options are a welcomed respite from BA's otherwise meat-forward menus. If possible, try and score a shaded table on the patio.
A city overflowing with leafy parks and elegant long boulevards to stroll, energize with a walk around some of BA's most famous barrios - from San Telmo's Sunday market for souvenirs to the colourful buildings of La Boca and the Recoleta Cemetery.
Head to Puerto Madero for a true taste of Argentina. Churipan, also known as, grilled sausage on a bun drenched with delightful chimichuri, are a must-have street food item. Hit up the Que Parrillon stand any time of day (the beauty of a churipan is that it defies the rules of appropriate time-of-day consumption).
A playful city full of parks and parkettes to but our family favorite has to be Parque de los Niños, offering 32 hectares of riverfront grounds, play structures and sand pits. During the summer months it is transformed into a beach complete with parasols, chaise lounges and beach volleyball. Be sure to hire a kite for some sweet photo ops and big grins.
Oui Oui is a laid back french cafe tucked away on a sweet little street in Palermo Hollywood. Lunch here is casual but hearty. Save room for one of their famous chubby alfajores with your coffee or hit Un'Altra Volta for dessert instead - serving up the best gelato in Buenos Aires.
Bio - for organic vegetarian fare this was one of our favorite haunts
Be sure to check out the Hipodrómo Argentino de Palermo. The Argentines seem to be as obsessed with their thoroughbreds as the Brits. The racetrack and beautiful 19th century grandstand are a temple to the sport. Try to synch up your visit when the horse races or polo are on. The track is quite beautiful and an afternoon spent here is fun. Plus what kid doesn't love watching ponies play sports? ..... Exactly!
We became quite the connoisseur’s of coffee and cakes throughout our lazy days in BA. We loved satiating our caffeine cravings at Prospero Velazco in Palermo Hollywood for proper Italian coffee and miniature cakes as well as Lab, an uber-cool hipster hang-out: coffee shop and roastery also in Palermo.
The MALBA - Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires. Atticus loved taking in all the sights and sounds of the interesting installations and beautiful works. Highlights as always were the gift shop and cafe where we had a lovely alfresco lunch.
The Buenos Aires Japanese Gardens are one of the largest gardens of its type in the world, outside of Japan. A peaceful place to spend a morning or afternoon and get inspired.
Las Cabras - was our neighbourhood parilla, many a meat-fest took place here during our month long stay in BA. It's noisy and bustling and perfect for a family meal. No one will mind the inevitable greasy fingers or hunger tantrums that break out. It's the perfect multi-generational dining experience.
For some of the sexiest vegan food on this side of the equator, you can't find better than Sacro Restaurant. All dishes and produced in house while the organic ingredients are sourced locally and seasonally dependant.