Chile Guide
Santiago
Parque O'Higgins
Perhaps the best reason to come to the spacious Parque Bernardo O'Higgins, a couple of kilometres or so southeast of the Quinta Normal, is to soak up the Chilean family atmosphere, as it's one of the most popular green spaces in the city. It was originally the Parque Cousiño, commissioned by Luis Cousiño, the entrepreneurial millionaire, in 1869, and the place to take your carriage rides in the late nineteenth century. These days working-class families and groups of kids flock here on summer weekends to enjoy the picnic areas, outdoor pools (very crowded), roller rink, basketball court and the gut-churning rides of Fantasilandia, an outdoor amusement park (April– Nov, Sat & Sun 11am–8pm; Dec– March, Tues– Fri 2–8pm, Sat & Sun 11am–8pm, closed when raining; CH$4000). It's easy to reach via public transport; take Line #2 to the Parque O'Higgins station, then walk three blocks. The park also features El Pueblito, a collection of adobe buildings typical of the Chilean countryside and housing several cheap restaurants, some craft stalls and a handful of small museums. The best of these is the Museo del Huaso (Tues– Fri 10am–5pm, Sat & Sun 10am–2pm; free), dedicated to the Chilean cowboy, or horseman, with displays of spurs, saddles, ponchos and hats, and a big photo of Pope John Paul II decked out in a poncho when he visited the museum in April 1987 (he came to offer Mass at the chapel next door). There's also a tiny shell museum, an insect museum and a not very exciting aquarium. For more information on Chile's huasos.