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Photo: Halley Pacheco de Oliveira, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Cultural Centre - at these days hosting a photo exhibition of the construction of Brasilia. Guided tours: Tu-F at 17:00.
The Moreira Salles Institute is a Brazilian nonprofit organization founded by diplomat and banker Walter Moreira Salles in 1992, with the establishment of its first cultural center in the city of Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais. Later, the institute expanded its operations to São Paulo (1996), in a mansion located in the Higienópolis neighborhood, and to Rio de Janeiro (1999), in a former Moreira Salles family residence, built in 1951 with architectural design by Olavo Redig de Campos and landscaping by Burle Marx. It is managed by the Moreira Salles family and is exclusively dedicated to the promotion, collection development, and implementation of cultural programs in the fields of photography, literature, iconography, visual arts, music, and cinema.
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There are two viewpoints in this hike before reaching the final destination of the peak. From the first, you will be able to see Rocinha, which is the largest favela in Latin America, and a clear view of Pedra da Gávea. From the second, you are able to see Serra da Carioca, Gávea, Corcovado (where Christ the Redeemer stands tall), and Pedra Bonita. Once reaching the highest peak of the Morro Dois Irmãos you are able to see all of South Zone (Zona Sul) ranging from Botafogo to Leblon, including a beautiful view of Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon (Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas).
There are shows, mainly for kids, in the planetarium on weekends. These are targeted at different age groups so it is essential to check the age the show you plan to attend is for or you may get stuck with one that is totally unsuitable. From Wednesday to Friday the space is also open without shows and there are around 60 hands-on scientific experiments to entertain kids.
Praia do Leblon
Jardim Botânico
Planted in the 1800s, it is both a park and a scientific laboratory. It contains a huge collection of plants from all over the world, not only tropical ones. If you take the bus note that Jardim Botanico is also the name of a neighborhood and the road on which it is found so make sure you go all the way to the entrance. The gardens are well kept and very lush. Not far from the cafe, you are likely to hear swooshing sounds. Look up and you can see small monkeys swinging from tree to tree.
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
A large lagoon in the middle of South Zone, with great views to Corcovado and Ipanema and Leblon beaches. You can run, walk, skate or cycle the 7.5 km around this freshwater lake and then retire to your luxurious Ipanema penthouse apartment, or just imagine it! Some have been known to swim in it although pollution levels are very high. Around Lagoa you can rent cycles, swan-shaped pedalos and, on the western side near where the helicopters take off, electric cars for younger kids.
Praia do São Conrado
On the other side of the Dois Irmãos mountain west of Leblon, this beach is popular with middle class people and favela dwellers alike. Good surfing and hang-gliding opportunities. Sometimes inappropriate for bathing. The south zone can be seen through a helicopter ride where you can marvel at the magnificent view of the most beautiful beaches in the capital of Rio de Janeiro, as well as flying over monuments such as Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer.