Neuquén Things to Do Tips by Orkaena

CASINO MAGIC, LURING THE GAMBLERS...

On july 27 2005 was inaugurated the new building of the Casino Magic, now it's larger and more lavish, increased number of roulettes, slot machines, shows, restaurants, etc,
But still having this indescribable architectural style designed in the north hemisphere where I realise people has a very different idea about us., something like a sui generis colonial-caribbean style, perhaps they don't know where and how is the Patagonia...
Anyway, bussiness are bussiness, and every night (and day) a crowd of gamblers invade the Casino spending their money (and sometimes the money of the others).
So, if you like gambling, here is your place in Neuquen.

Address: Planas st. 4005

Directions: Four kilometers to the west of the City Center, beside the National Road No 22.

Phone: 54-299-4452600

MNBA, MUSEO NACIONAL DE BELLAS ARTES

Inaugurated in 2003, the MNBA is an achievement of the city. Despite the ugly building (modern style, but horrible indeed) the paintings and sculpture masterworks displayed in there are like a fresh breeze blowing on us.
This week the MNBA of Neuquén (the other MNBA is located at Buenos Aires) show the masterworks of Juan Carlos Castagnino, a largely nationally and internationally recognized plastic artist.
Last year masterworks of Rembrandt, Goya, drawings of Picasso, etc. were here for the happiness of the amateurs and people in general.
A must, I guess.

Address: Mitre st. and Santa Cruz st. cross

Directions: City Center

Other Contact: nqncultural@muninqn.gov.ar

Phone: +54 - 0299 - 4491200

Website: http://www.muninqn.gov.ar/cultura

PATAGONIC WINES 3, BODEGA NQN

The Bodega NQN (NQN Winery) was the second winery founded after de BDFM, following the modern trend the production technology and processes of wines are the state of the art in his class. Like the others has international gold and silver medals achieved for their exquisites wines, outstanding the malbec.
Perhaps the restaurante of this cava is the finest among the others, and well worth a visit to enjoy the cuisine expressions and the stunning view of the vineyards through its large windows.
Here you can buy their wines at a very convenient price, just one condition, you should buy at least a box with six bottles, different original grapes if you do prefer.

Address: Ruta 7, calle 15, San Patricio del Chañar

Directions: 67 kilometers NW from Neuquen City, beside the Provincial Route #7

Other Contact: vinpat@vinpat.com.ar

Phone: +54 - 299 - 155 887801

Website: http://www.bodeganqn.com.ar/

PATAGONIC WINES 4, BODEGA DEL AÑELO

Bodega del Añelo (Añelo Winery) is the newest winery of the region, located at the outskirts of the little Añelo village they are developing the vineyards (huge task indeed) and their wines aren't so wellknown as the other three wineries I'd described before.
But the scale of the investments tell us that in a short time they will be a strong competitor.
They hasn't a restaurante yet, but the classical guided visit is available including the traditional wine tasting ceremony.

Address: Route #7, Añelo village, Neuquen

Directions: 92 kilometers to the NW of Neuquen city, beside the Provincial Route #7

Other Contact: info@bodegadelanielo.com

Phone: +54 - 299 - 4904242

Website: http://www.bodegadelanielo.com

PATAGONIC WINES 1, A VISIT TO FAMILY SCHROEDER

The Bodega Familia Schroeder (Winery of the Schroeder Family) is a new vineyard located at 53 kilometers to the north of Neuquen city, despite their short time in the wine bussiness they've achieved several international medals to the quality of their wines.
A very impressive bodega indeed, modern architecture, fancy design and decoration, the aesthetics for them is as relevant as the quality of their wines. You can visit this bodega in a guided excursion among the vineyard, the cava, the fossile dinosaur discovered during the building construction, ending with wine tasting and a delicious lunch at the restaurant located inside. Take a look in the website provided below.

Address: Calle 7 Norte, San Patricio del Chañar, Neuquen

Directions: Located at 53 kms N from Neuquen city.

Other Contact: info@familiaschroeder.com

Phone: +54 - 299 - 155086767/155880359

Website: http://www.familiaschroeder.com/

PATAGONIC WINES 2, BODEGA DEL FIN DEL MUNDO

The Bodega del Fin del Mundo (Winery of the End of the World) is the eldest cava among the newest ones. located at 60 kilometers to the north of Neuquen City has a modern architectonic design too, with a huge vineyard that produced some of the best patagonic wines, with several international gold medals achieved for their products.
It hasn't yet a restaurant like the others, but I guess they should get one in a short time.
You can do a guided visit to the vineyard, the cava, and finishing this amazing visit with an unforgetabble wine tasting.

Address: Routes 7 and 8 cross, San Patricio del Chañar

Directions: 60 kilometers to the north of Neuquen city, at the intersection of the Provincial Routes 7 and 8

Other Contact: info@bdfm.com.ar

Phone: +54 - 299 - 4855004

Website: http://www.bodegadelfindelmundo.com

STEPPING ON THE TOP

The province of Neuquen is plenty of volcanoes, almost all of them are an extraordinary landmark filling the landscape with their magnetic beauty.
The Lanin volcano (3770 mts a.s.l.) is one of the most perfect cones I've ever seen, and this amazing mountain offer us a splendent opportunity to climb, the view from the top is from another world.
This isn't a high grade of difficult climbing, just to be reasonably healthy and a good pair of legs is enough, the trekking to the top lasts around 6 hours, and there are two "refugios", one at 2.450 meters (belongs to the army but is free access) and the other located at 2.600 meters (belongs to the Andean Club of Junin, fee access too).
This volcano is visible from a long dictance (watch the pic beside, taken from more or less 150 kilometers, with a 300 mm zoom of course) and is the excellence landmark of the touristic attractions of the province of Neuquen.

Address: Volcan Lanin, Neuquen

Directions: Located at 300 kilometers S.W. of Neuquen city.
You can hire an excursion from the city, make a contact with the telephone numbers and website below

Other Contact: http://www.neuquen.com.ar/nqn/tu

Phone: +54 - 02972 - 425808

Website: http://www.sanmartinandes.com/ascenso/laninup.htm

SKI SPORTS ON THE VOLCANO

At 382 kilometers to the northwest of Neuquen city is located the Copahue volcano, with an amazing ski resort on his slope. The Caviahue Ski Center with the Farallon Hotel.
This hotel even has thermal waters pool inside, sauna, restaurant, live music on weekends, snow kindergarten, and all the services related with snow sports. The view is from another world and the snow storms are guaranteed... ;-))
This wonderful volcano rests on the mirror of the Lake Caviahue, a strange lake without life because his extremely acid waters due to the sulphure aported by the inner volcano activity, but despite this fact the lake is unforgettable, believe me.
Do you like nordic skiing? or alpine skiing?
or horse riding in an untamed wild environment? or hot springs mud baths? So, this is a perfect place for this preferences.

Address: 382 km NW of Neuquen city, Argentina-Chile border

Directions: Drive the national Road 22 to the west till Zapala city, then turn to the north by Provincial Road 21 to Las Lajas village and at last to the west again by Provincial Road 26. You're now admiring the Caviahue Lake and the Copahue Volcano.

Other Contact: info@caviahue.com

Phone: +54 (2948) 495053

Website: http://www.caviahue.com

HANDCRAFTS

Every saturdays and sundays the main avenue of Neuquen displays a Handcrafts Market and a bit more, like live music and street performings.
I strongly recommends the handcrafts shops at the open air, with amazing masterworks of the mapuche culture or deeply influenced by them. Prices aren't expensives but you should bargain in every cases, like the rules say.

Address: Avenida Argentina 100 to 300

Directions: Downtown Neuquen city, surrounded by picturesques bars and pubs with tables on the street. Pedestrian avenue for a while.

FISHING!

Two clear waters mountain rivers contains the city, the Neuquen river (coming from the northwest) and the strongest Limay river (coming from the southwest ).
Here you can enjoy fishing diverses kinds of trouts and salmons, for sure they will fight a lot with you and perhaps they will win. Great experience.

Address: The riverside of Neuquen or Limay river.

Directions: Outskirts of the city, of course... what are you thinking about...

Phone: trouts dont get phones...