Santiago
Parks
Parque Metropolitano - The Parque Metropolitano, situated on three hills, is many things in one. To get to the top of Cerro San Cristobal take the funicular (aerial tram) to Plaza Caupolican. On the way up, you might want to stop off at the zoo, the Jardin Zoologico. The zoo gets a negative review, but it has local animals, such as puma, vicuna, deer, condor and tropical birds. On Cerro San Cristobal the 115ft. high statue of the Virgin Mary is a famous Santiago landmark. The Terraza Bellavista has good views of the city.
Take the Tupahue teleferico (gondola) for even better views of the Andes in the distance. If it's a hot day, the teleferico has an intermediate stop at Estacion Tupahue with a public swimming pool close by. (Take the teleferico up or down from Avenida Pedro de Valdiva.) The kids could also just spend the afternoon on hiking trails within the park or biking.
Parque Quinta Normal - This is a popular family park, with picnic tables and an artificial lake where you can rent rowboats.
The Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (Natural History Museum) has Chilean mummies, a giant whale, fossils, minerals and artifacts Easter Island. Museo Ferroviario (Railway Museum) - The Museo Ferroviario is an open air museum with steam engines that once hauled trains through the Andes.Parque O'Higgins - Parque O'Higgins in the southwest section of the city has playgrounds, a swimming pool, skating rink and amusement park. In the Plaza de la Artesanias kids can see artisans making handicrafts. El Pueblito is a reconstruction of a typical Chilean village, and the Museo del Huaso has exhibits about farming in Chile.
