You will need more than one afternoon to see and do all that Quito’s Centro Histórico has to offer. The hilly cobblestone streets take you back to the era of the Spanish Empire, with large central plazas, sprawling green parks, beautiful colonial buildings and elaborate Catholic churches. With so much to gaze at, you might find yourself just wandering through the pleasant neighborhood without setting foot inside one of the historic buildings. When you do, however, you will be instantly amazed. Check out the gold ornamented Iglesia de La Compañia, or wander through the President’s Palace in Plaza Grande. Pay a visit one of Centro Histórico’s many interesting museums, with exhibits on colonial and indigenous art, military memorabilia and relics that chart the country’s checkered history from pre-Inca times to the present. Even if you are sleeping in another part of Quito, it is worth your while to spend time embracing one of Ecuador's most historic locales.