Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
164
home to the
Museo de C iencias Naturales
(
&
221/425-7744;
www.fcnym.unlp.edu.
ar; admission $3/£2; Tues-Sun 10am-6pm). This museum is affiliated with the National
University and has the feel of an oldVictorian institution, with its mix of stuffed animals,
archaeological relics, and other items displayed in the building's dusty, soaring, wrought-
iron interior. Nearby in the park, the
City Zoo
(
&
221/427-3925;
www.jardinzoologico.
laplata.gov.ar; admission $3/£2 adults, fr ee for childr en; Tues-Sun 9am-6pm), shelters
more than 180 kinds of animals. The
Teatro Nuevo Argentino,
Avenida 51, at avenidas
9 and 10 (
&
221/429-1700
and 221/429-1745), stages various productions and exhib-
its paintings and other ar t in its lobb y. B uilt into an old train station, the enormous
Dardo Rocha Cultural Center,
on Avenida 50, at avenidas 6 and 7 (
&
221/427-2101;
www.cultura.laplata.gov.ar for all institutions), houses the
Contemporary Art Museum
and the
Municipal Art Museum,
among many other institutions and an art cafe. Hours
and admission fees vary depending on the venue, but the place is always busy with some-
thing to do. A few miles from downtown is the amusement park, complete with a magic
castle, that inspir ed Walt Disney when he cr eated Disneyland in California. J uan and
Evita P erón built the
República de los N
iños,
at B elgrano and Calle 501
(
&
221/484-1409;
www.republica.laplata.gov.ar), as a learning and enter tainment cen-
ter for children. Many of the small-size buildings imitate government buildings in Bue-
nos Air es, with themes r elated to v arious nations. N aturally, the rides and attractions
make the place a great stop for kids.
6
City Tours
The travel company
For Export,
Calle 5 no. 1241, between avenidas 57 and 58 (
&
221/
425-9393;
www.forexport.net.ar), offers city tours in La P lata. Various themes include
the Panoramic City Tour, which lasts half a day; the F ull Day City Tour; and the R eli-
gious City Tour. They also arrange excursions outside of the city, hotel accommodations,
and car rentals.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel del Rey
An Argentine-owned three-star property, the H otel del R ey is a bar-
gain considering its location and ser vices. Rooms are of an av erage siz e; those on the
upper floors come with nice vie ws of the surrounding parts of the city. The hotel main-
tains its own full-service travel agency called Viajes del Rey, in the lobby, which makes it
easy to arrange excursions (
&
221/427-0177;
www.viajesdelrey.com.ar).
Plaza Paso 180 (at a vs. 13 and 44), 1900 La Plata.
&
221/427-0177.
www.hoteldelrey.com.ar. 40 units.
From $57 (£39) double . Rates include buffet breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Restau-
rant; bar; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning.
In room:
A/C, TV,
Wi-Fi, minibar.
Inn Corregidor
A few blocks off P laza Moreno, this hotel is v ery well situated near
many of La Plata's government buildings and tourist sites. Most rooms have a light, airy
feeling to them. There is a small health center on the premises. The hotel was previously
a Howard Johnson hotel and may be described by locals that way, but it is now indepen-
dent from the chain.
Calle 6 no . 1026 (at a vs. 53 and 54), 1900 La Plata.
&
221/425-6800.
Fax 221/425-6805. w ww.hotel
corregidor.com.ar. 110 units (109 doubles, 1 apt). From $93 (£63) double. Rates include buffet breakfast.
AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar ; health club; c oncierge; business center; 24-hr.
room service; laundry service; dry cleaning.
In room:
A/C, TV, high-speed I nternet, minibar, hair dr yer,
safe.
