São Paulo: Things To Do

Afro Brasil Museum Located in Ibirapuera Park, the Afro Brasil Museum is dedicated to a reappraisal of the history, memory, culture, and identity of black Brazilians. Ibirapuera Park; Ave. Pedro Alvares Cabral; Manoel da Nóbrega Pavilion, Gate 10; 011-55-11-5579-6099; www.museuafrobrasil.com.br
family | culture | museum | history

Butantã Institute This pioneering research center boasts an extraordinary collection of venomous vipers, spiders, and scorpions from around the world. There’s also an open-air snake pit where you can watch the animals in action. Centro ; Ave. Vital Brasil, 1500; 011-55-11-3726-7222; www.butantan.gov.br
family | museum | wildlife

Cross-country Running An association called Corpore, the Portuguese acronym for Paulista United Runners, organizes cross-country races about once a month. Jardim Paulista, Rua Bento de Andrade, 436; 011-55-11-3884-4188; www.corpore.org.br
outdoors | sports

Downtown Walking Tour The Centro, one of the few parts of town conducive to walking, offers the best concentration of older buildings and interesting architecture. Climb the Terraço Itália building for panoramic city views. Centro; Ave. Ipiranga, 344; 011-55-11-2189-2929; www.terracoitalia.com.br
family | architecture | views | history

Museum of Modern Art (MAM) The MAM offers an excellent collection of paintings and sculpture by Brazilian artists dating to the early 20th century. The museum's restaurant overlooks a sculpture garden. Ibirapuera Park; Ave. Pedro Alvares Cabral, Gate 3; 011-55-11- 5085-1300; www.mam.org.br
family | culture | art

Museum of Sacred Art Built in 1774, this colonial building houses religious icons and relics dating from the 17th century. Luz; Ave. Tiradentes, 676; 011-55-11-3326-1373; artesacra.sarasa.com.br
family | culture | history | religious

Urban Night Bicycle Rides An association of cyclists, Sampa Bikers, runs weekly 15.5-mile night biking trips in the city as well as trips outside of town. Vila Olimpia, Rua Baluarte, 672; 011-55-11-3045-2722; www.sampabikers.com.br
outdoors | sports

Zoological Museum This museum presents examples of Brazil’s rich biodiversity. Attractions include old paintings of fauna, ants preserved in amber, and a whale cranium. Ipiranga; Ave. Nazaré, 481; 011-55-11-6165-8100; www.usp.br/mz
family | museum | nature