Neuquén
 

Hi - looks like I'll be traveling for a few days to Neuquén (city) in March. Are there any hidden wonders and delights I should look out for?

I don't know anyone who's ever been, so I'm turning to you, FT experts, for advice. :D

Thanks to all!

You by chance in the Oil & Gas Industry......? Either that or you're in the Wine Business.... :p

That's a frightening combination of industries in one location.

If you can get a couple days off, I suggest you get a car and drive to Bariloche, and then back through the "Ruta de los 7 Lagos", including getting near the Lanin volcano.

Or maybe hydroelectricity/heavy water production ...

Not really. California is one of the many examples of areas that have plenty of both industries. This is, btw, no different in Mendoza. Nobody is producing quality grapes next to a Refinery, but they can still be in the same State/Province.

Yes, I forgot the power and Nuke industries..... ^ :D

We were there a few years ago and spent a night in town with friends before embarking on a fishing trip to the lakes.....he's in the oil industry.
I'm afraid it was a bit run down back then although we did dine at a very nice restaurant. Not a town I'll be in any rush to go back to though.

Hi - thanks for the replies!

I don't directly work in the oil industry, but I work with people who do, so that's the reason for the trip.

It'll be a very quick visit - just a couple of days - so unfortunately I won't have a chance really to leave the city. From what I can tell it's not the most exciting place in the world, but I figure there's got to be something of interest - be it a museum, a mall, or whatever - in town, no?

Or am I being overly optimistic? :p

Yes unless it's changed a lot over the years I think you are. :)

I'm sure your contact will point you in the right direction as to what there is to see and do. Do report back as I'd like to know how you get on.

Will you spend any time in EZE on your return...? That may be the closest to a Museum or Mall.....

Heh, yes I'll be spending a few days in EZE (more AEP, actually :p) and will probably be hanging out a bit at Alto Palermo and points nearby.

If you need anything grape-juice related, please email or PM me.... ;) ^

Neuquén Province has many amazing outdoor locations. The entire Andes range to the west is several national and provincial parks which link to create a single 700km park before arriving to the south at Bariloche in the Rio Negro province. Highlights include, the town of San Martin de Los Andes and the Lanín volcano

The capital city is a small growing city, and the downtown center is nice to walk around. Some cultural opportunities, including the National Bella arts museum
Cine Teatro Español

Very good restaurant which changes the menu every 3 days: Casa Tinta

Neuquen is a palindrome

:D ^

Great summary and very valuable info !!! Thanks for sharing.... ^

Thanks very much for the tips! I appreciate the ideas.

One additional question - anyone know of a decent, reasonably priced, 3-ish star hotel downtown? For some reason I'm only pulling up a handful of hotels on the major international booking sites. Despegar.com shows more, but they seem to be going through issues with Cristina's amigos, aren't they? I'm nervous about booking with them in case they get shut down and the reservation turns to dust...

I've made a reservation for now at the Austral, but it's refundable so if I can find a better idea I can easily cancel.

If you do find a hotel on Despegar, I think you can also search to directly book using that hotels web site.

It is difficult to find hotels or other housing. The price for quality places can be higher than Mendoza or Buenos Aires because there is less inventory. I have mostly rented nice (and not so nice) tourist apartments by the night/week/month. PM me if you would like a suggestion.