City Park in Santiago

By Leslie Brown

Metropolitan Park is the place to go if you want a zoology lesson or to trot up a rather large hill. You can stroll through the green or visit one of the many attractions in its vicinity. The National Zoo, which features about 150 different species, lies on the outskirts of the park, close to the Funicular. The Funicular is a tram that totes you to the top of Cerro San Cristobal, a tall hill that Chileans and tourists alike frequent. If you hope to see a panoramic view of the city from atop the cerros, head to Metropolitan Park early to beat the onset of Santiago’s daily smog.

For optimal local shopping, you can go about anywhere in the city. Spend the afternoon haggling with local shop owners and boutiques along the streets of Bellavista neighborhood, especially in the handcraft fair here. The fish and seafood at Mercado Central attract hordes of tourists, but for obvious causes. The hustle of the market fascinates newcomers and you can nourish yourself with a bit of local cuisine before scooting off to another site.

Santiago’s many museums will satiate the appetite of all aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, poetry fans and art aficionados. For a few pesos you can toe around one of Nobel-prize poet Pablo Neruda’s houses or gawk at the 70,000 exhibits on display at The National Historic Museum.

Santiago also serves a good base for exploring satellite areas. Outdoorsy folk should venture outside of the city to check out the hiking, rafting and fishing opportunities in Cajón de Maipo. The ski resorts that surround the capital city should be especially interesting to anyone who is a fan of fresh powder. You can also set up private or shared wine tour with companies that shuttle you to a few of the most popular red-wine vineyards. Or, organize a one-day trip to quaint Valparaíso, or beach resort Viña del Mar or pottery capital of the area, Pomaire, with most agencies as well.