The Museum of Portuguese Language is a multimedia exhibition hall solely dedicated to the promotion of the Portuguese language. It is the only one of its kind in the world and is located in downtown Sao Paulo above the Luz Train Station. Over two million people have visited the museum since its opening. Conceived in 2001 and opened in 2006, it is easy to understand why it is one of the most popular museums in Brazil. Never before has language been presented in such an engaging and captivating way. Hand-on activities, art and technology merge to create a unique experience for visitors. The center allows natives to truly understand their language and how Brazilian culture influenced it. As you tour the facility, you can enjoy the writings of Portuguese writers, a video of the history of the Portuguese language projected onto walls, or an interactive game that explains the origin of a word. There is also a presentation regarding the history of the building. Temporary exhibitions are a regular occurrence. Familiarity with the Portuguese language is a must to truly enjoy the experience. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and from 10 am to 10 pm the last Tuesday of the month.

Viaduto Santa Efigania was opened in 1913 and links Largo de Sao Bento with Santa Ifigenia. Although never proven, it was once rumored to have been built by the famous Gustav Eiffel, creator of the Eiffel Tower. The viaduct was restored in 1978 and in 1982 was painted with the colors of the rainbow.

The Altino Arantes Skycraper, also known as the Banespa Building, is an important part of Sao Paulo history. For almost 20 years, it was the tallest skyscraper outside of the United States. It was also the tallest concrete building in the world until the Marina City I was built in 1962. Built by designer Plínio Botelho do Amaral, the design was based on the New York Empire State Building and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. It was inaugurated by Governor Elect, Ademar de Barros in 1947.

The main entry of the 35 floor and 17,591 square mile building features a crystal chandelier, with 10,000 pieces, that is a replica of the building. A museum, that chronicles the building’s history, is also available for tours. Panoramic and breathtaking views of the city are possible from the top floor. Some of the jewels visitors will see are the Serra do Mar Mountains, Jaraguá Peak, skyscrapers on Paulista Avenue, and many of the main buildings in downtown Sao Paulo.

The building is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. Tours of the top floor are limited to five minutes. Identification is required for those who wish to tour the building. In addition, foreign patrons must furnish a passport. An average of 5,000 people visits each year.

São Paulo Stock Exchange is located in the historic district of Sao Paulo. In September 2006, it opened a place for tourists to learn more about the history of this huge Stock Exchange and visit the museum that displays objects used by stock exchange from last century.

The Municipal Theatre is an important theater and cultural institution in Sao Paulo. Built in 1911 by Brazilian architect Ramos de Azevedo and Italian architects Claudio Rossi and Domiziano Rossi, the Neoclassical and Baroque design is based on the Paris Opera building.

The building was built to fill the need for a theatre that would fulfill the desires of its residents. The previous theatre, Teatro São Bento, had suffered fire damage and was no longer a viable option for artistic performances. Therefore, the people demanded and received a theatre worthy of performances equivalent to those in Europe. Famous artists such as Anna Pavlova, Duke Ellington, Isadora Duncan, Vivien Leigh, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, and Rudolph Nureyev have graced the stage.

Municipal Theatre is most famous for being the location of the Week of Modern Art, an event that put Sao Paulo on the artistic map. Sao Paulo was an important cultural city, but relatively unimportant on an artistic level. The Week of Modern Art event made Sao Paulo a leader and major influencer in the modern art movement. Currently, the building is home to the Sao Paulo Municipal Symphonic Orchestra, Lyric Choir, and the City Ballet of Sao Paulo.

For those who love all things Japanese, the Japanese Quarter in the Liberdade District is the place to go when in Sao Paulo. The area is similar to the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles. Although originally a local meeting place for the community, this area has grown into a venue that is popular with tourists and residents alike.

The Japanese have been a part of Brazilian culture since the early 1900s when they arrived to work on the numerous coffee plantations. The quarter reflects their influence and contribution to Brazilian society. Visitors will enjoy the authentic Japanese comics, food, and costume plays.

Three major cultural events are the Liberdade Fair, the Chinese New Year, and the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri festival in July. The Liberdade Fair features crafts, local goods, and Japanese cuisine. The Sendai Tanabata Matsuri festival celebrates a love legend and features beautiful Tanabata (paper and bamboo) decorations.

The quarter experienced a decline in the 1940s when all things Japanese were suppressed by the government. In addition, all Japanese residents had to leave the area and could not return until World War II ended. During the 1960s and the 1970s, the area came to life again, in part because of the installation of the subway system. The Chinese and Korean people now make their home in the quarter along with the Japanese. The nearby Sao Paulo Metro provides transportation.

The Avenida Paulista is a very important street in Sao Paulo and home to the city’s financial districts, cultural institutions and many business centers. Often compared to New York City’s Fifth Avenue, it used to be home to the mansions of the wealthy. Some of the businesses on this road include the Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Banco Central do Brasil, and Itaú Unibanco.

The boulevard is one of the most expensive real estate locations in Brazil. It is also the location of many television and radio station antennas due to its high elevation. More than 800,000 commuters travel it every single day. There is also a subway that runs underneath the street.

Visitors should make sure to visit the Casa das Rosas, a former mansion, which is now a cultural center. In addition to the Sao Paulo Museum of Art, visitors should also make sure to walk to the nearby Parque Siqueira Campos. At Christmastime, many mansions and the surrounding buildings are decorated for the enjoyment of visitors.

Popular events that take place on the avenue are the Sao Paulo Gay Pride Parade and the Sao Silvestre Marathon. In addition, many football celebrations take place on at this location.

Established in 1947, the Museum of Art features fine art from Brazilian, English, French, African, Italian, Asian, and Latin American disciplines. The exhibition hall contains a collection of 8,000 items that features greats such as Renoir, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Warhol, Rubens, Rembrandt, Raphael, Boticelli, and Monet. It is one of the most extensive and largest collections of Western art in Latin America and the Southern Hemisphere. The current museum was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II during her 1968 visit to Brazil.

Located on the famous Avenida Paulista, the museum is locally known as the Museu de Arte. Designer Lina Bo Bardi is responsible for the two grand red lateral beams that grace the building. The beams support the building and enable the view of other buildings to remain unobstructed.

The building is much more than just a museum. A library, film gallery, photo gallery, two auditoriums, store, restaurant, and workshop rooms are available for public use. Concerts and other events are frequently held in the marketplace. Visitors should make sure to attend the antique market that happens every Sunday in the bazaar. Art courses are held for all who wish to attend. They are open daily from 11 am to 5 pm.

The Football Museum, located in the Pacaembu Stadium, is a 7,000 square mile facility dedicated to all things football. For a true fan of football, this exhibition hall is the thing to see. What makes this center unique is that it is dedicated the national sport of Brazil and presents the game with no team bias whatsoever. The museum does an excellent job of telling the history of football and intertwining it with the history of the world.

Whether you are a fan of football, or not, you will enjoy an awesome multimedia experience as soon as you enter the building. The rooms are divided into sections that display different elements of the football experience. Banners, flags, and other fan items decorate the rooms. Photographs of football greats such as Pelé, Rivelino, Gilmar, Romário, and others line the walls. Video recordings of fan reactions play as you tour the movie theater.

There are also recordings of sports journalists such as Juca Kfouri, Daniel Piza, and Marcelo Tas announcing goals. The museum pays homage to the world cup and patrons will enjoy viewing the goals of football stars in the multimedia room. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.