The best attractions in São Paulo: family tips for families
Valuable Tips from Our Community of Traveling Parents to Make Your Family Trip Even More Special
by Caroline Sundfeld
Our community of traveling families holds a significant voice within our platform, as it brings us real experiences and insights that help many families with their doubts, anxieties, fears, challenges, and joys while traveling. It’s great to be able to rely on the experiences of other families who have been to a specific destination. We discuss various topics, including itineraries and tips, but we also share the pleasures and challenges of traveling as a family. In other words, we talk about what we love and establish this exchange routine very frequently.
Today, we chose to share tips about the city of São Paulo, which is much more than just buildings and hustle. On the contrary, it’s a place full of options to enjoy with the family. Discover some of the best activities and recommended outings in our Facebook Community. The city offers a variety of attractions if you’re thinking about traveling there and enjoying time with your family.
What to do?
Ipiranga’s Museum
The Ipiranga Museum offers the opportunity for the whole family to explore the history of Brazil. Children learn about the country’s past in a playful, fun, and interactive way, with exhibits that include artifacts, documents, and even a garden.
Paulista Avenue
One of São Paulo’s great icons, Avenida Paulista offers various attractions for children. In addition to the skyscrapers, the avenue is home to important museums, such as the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP). On Sundays, it is closed to cars, becoming an ideal space for walking, cycling, and enjoying family activities.
Language Portuguese Museum
Located at the Luz Station, the Museum of the Portuguese Language is a must-visit attraction for families. The museum provides a variety of activities that make learning our language more enjoyable and engaging.
Imagination Museum
It’s a playful and educational space designed especially for children and families. In this environment, little ones can engage in interactive activities that stimulate creativity and imagination, such as art rooms, sensory play, dedicated music areas, and exhibitions that bring culture, science, and art. It’s a cool space because it encourages children to touch, create, and interact with their surroundings—positive and crucial aspects in their development.
Football Museum
Located at Pacaembu Stadium, the Football Museum is a must-visit attraction for families who love soccer. Dedicated to celebrating Brazil’s passion for the sport and narrating the rich and diverse history of a discipline that is practically a national identity, the museum features interactive exhibits and uniquely captures the emotion and passion for the sport.
Ibirapuera Park
Opened in 1954, Ibirapuera Park is one of São Paulo’s most beloved tourist attractions. A true green oasis within the city, the space is perfect for enjoying with family. It boasts a spectacular area, housing museums and cultural spaces, recreational activities, cultural events, several lakes for paddle boating, and a variety of cafes and snack bars.
Liberdade Neighborhood
This, for sure, is one of the most unique and culturally rich places in São Paulo, and a great option for a stroll with the kids.
The Liberdade neighborhood is famous for its strong Japanese influence. As you wander around, you’ll come across shops, restaurants, and markets offering authentic Japanese products and cuisine. On weekends, Liberdade Square transforms into a craft fair, in addition to cultural events and the lush decoration that captivates those who pass by.
The neighborhood is strategically located near downtown São Paulo, making it easily accessible for both locals and tourists.
Catavento Museum
Opened in 2009, the Catavento Museum is an interactive museum dedicated to the promotion of science. It’s great for taking the little ones and teaching them about the importance of innovation.
Immigration Museum
This museum is located in the former Immigrants’ Hostel, which played a crucial role in welcoming people arriving in Brazil in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The exhibits provide a true history lesson, featuring photographs, documents, personal items, immigrant accounts, all with a focus on cultural diversity.
Pinacoteca
The Pinacoteca is one of the oldest museums in São Paulo, founded in 1905. It encompasses a vast collection of Brazilian art, ranging from the colonial period to contemporary works. Moreover, the architecture of the building itself is a feast for the eyes, and the garden surrounding the museum provides a pleasant environment for families.
MASP
MASP is one of the most important cultural institutions in Brazil and an icon on the international art scene. Located on Avenida Paulista, the museum’s collection is impressive, featuring artworks from various parts of the world and renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Portinari, and many others. It’s worth taking the little ones to explore this cultural landmark in São Paulo and Brazil.
Where to eat?
We Coffee
We Coffee is a coffee shop specializing in coffees, teas, sweets, and artisanal breads. It’s a great option to take your family and enjoy a special moment.
Futuro Refeitório Restaurant
Another cool place to take the family is the restaurant Futuro Refeitório. The atmosphere is airy, with an industrial style offering coffee, sweets, brunch, and vegetarian dishes, including dinner options
Vassoura Quebrada Burger
If the kids love Harry Potter, be sure to stop by Vassoura Quebrada, the first wizarding restaurant in Brazil. The decoration and the entire atmosphere are dedicated to this universe, making it a really cool experience for fans.
Dona Nuvem Ice Cream Shop
This ice cream shop is famous for its unique ice cream creations with eye-catching toppings, a great choice for the kids.
Osteria Generale
It’s a restaurant that resembles a typical Italian trattoria, with soccer jerseys hanging on the walls. Established in 1980 and renowned for its handmade pasta and sauces, it offers great entertainment for families who love soccer.
Municipal Market
Commonly known as “Mercadão,” the Municipal Market of São Paulo is another excellent option for a family outing. It’s a true gastronomic paradise and a must-visit attraction. There, you’ll find stalls selling everything: fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and even cheeses, wines, and seafood. And don’t forget to try the famous mortadella sandwich.
Mamaggiore Pizzaria
This pizzeria stands out for its variety of flavors, ranging from traditional to the most creative ones. In addition to pizzas, they serve pasta and other Italian dishes that complement the menu.
O Burguer
It’s a trendy burger joint located in the Moema neighborhood, perfect to combine with a visit to Ibirapuera Park
Cantina do Gigio
It’s a traditional Italian trattoria located near the Catavento Museum; you can seamlessly extend your visit and have a meal there as well
Sut-Mie Guibert is the founder and moderator of our community of traveling families, Family Trippers – Family Travels, a closed group with over 11,000 families looking to share their real experiences and travel tips to help other parents travel better. Co-founder of Family Trip Magazine and mother to Clara and Nina, she brings a new feature to each issue, recounting the discoveries of other parents around the world.
Flávia Oliveira, mother of Duda and Bernardo, also moderates the group with a great sense of humor and is a frequent traveler
Services
For more information: visitesaopaulo.com
Things the Way Family love to pack in their suitcase:
Gate
Eletronics for the travel: smartphone, drone, câmera, charger,…
Destiny
UV clothes, bikinis, caps, diving goggles, snorkel mask and other accessories…