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The muddy Solimões and the dark-colored Negro rivers meet, and run together without mixing for a considerable length, about 4 km downstream of the city. You can book a dedicated tour for this, but when you enter/leave Manaus by boat towards Santarém/Belém, you will see it much better from the upper deck of that boat. It's about 30 to 60 minutes downstream from Manaus on a slow boat and you can easily spot it in advance due to the water being much brighter. Also in this area is a community of floating houses called Catalão that some tour operators may include as a cultural part of a package.
Amazonas Opera House
The Opera House was built during the heyday of rubber trade, using materials from all over the world, and was once visited by all the most famous opera divas and maestros. Regular guided tours in English, R$ 20. There are frequent free performances, often advertised on the SEC Facebook Channel; be sure to arrive at least an hour in advance to secure a seat. Also, check out the Largo de São Sebastião just to the east to experience this square with Opening of the Ports of Friendly Nations statue and historic buildings around. A together with the Theatro da Paz in Belém.
Original home of first Afro-Brazilian governor of Amazonas state who made modern Manaus.
City market
After a renovation, most stalls were moved to the nearby Feira da Banana and Adolpho Lisboa became a clean and organized market, albeit lacking some soul. The main hall sells mostly souvenirs, the smaller ones to the left and right fish and meat. The restaurants inside it are affordable (mains for R$13-20) and a great option on Sundays and holidays when the majority of cheap eateries are closed.
Rio Negro Palace
Built by a German rich-man in the "golden age", the palace eventually became property of the government, which transformed it in a cultural center. Visits are free, being escorted by a staff-member is compulsory. Around the estate are manicured grounds and paths that culminate to the south at Parque Jefferson Peres, an impressive plaza of fountains, canals, and statuary close to the Rio Negro.
Heliodoro Balbi Square
Leafy plaza that is abutted by the Provincial Palace and Police Square.
Provincial Palace
This grand architectural specimen is also host to several museums, including the Museu de Arqueologia, the Pinacoteca do Estado (plastic arts center), Museu Tiradentes da Policia Militar (military police museum), Museu De Numismática Bernardo Ramos (numismatics), and an art museum. Get all your museum-viewing done in one shebang.