Herald Favorites: Best ways to pretend youre not in the city (without leaving Buenos Aires)

When your left eye starts to twitch and you’re desperate for a quick escape from the city, but don’t have the time for a trip, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our favorite getaways and green spots, without even leaving Buenos Aires. Parks of Palermo Palermo has some green spaces that are super accessible, but shaded enough you can barely hear traffic. These three are worth checking out.  Jardín Japonés  Av. Casares 3450, PalermoWebsite: www.jardinjapones.org.ar Instagram: @jardinjaponesHours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Entry fee for Argentine residents is ARS$4,500, non-residents ARS$13,500 Surrounded by the Palermo Woods, this calm corner of Buenos Aires claims to be the largest Japanese-style garden outside Japan. It was built in 1967, designed by landscaper Yasuo Inomata, on the occasion of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan’s visit. You can wander among bonsai, azaleas, kokedamas, orchids, and stone lanterns. And watch the hundreds of colorful koi fish swimming in the ponds. The garden regularly hosts cultural events and also features a Chashitsu (tea house), an art gallery, and a Japanese restaurant. Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays About twelve acres of greenery in the heart of Palermo are reserved for Argentine flora, and another five feature species from the temperate forests of five continents, along with a collection of palm trees, cacti, and more. There are 1,580 plant species that live in the Botanical Garden —including an array of street cats. You’ll also find the Botanical Interpretation Center, the Children’s Nature Library, a butterfly garden, a large sculpture collection, and an English-style mansion that houses the administrative offices and the Interpretation Center. The main greenhouse is a large iron and glass building brought from France in 1897. Bosques de PalermoSarmiento Av. and Del Libertador Av.Website Popularly known as the Palermo Woods, this iconic green space includes forests, four lakes (Regatas Lake, Rosedal Lake, Planetarium Lake, and Victoria Ocampo Lake), 29 plazas, and many paths and promenades which stretch across 914 acres of the Palermo neighborhood. It’s an ideal place to spend the day relaxing or exploring. You can have a picnic under the shade of tall trees or by the lakes, stroll through the rose garden, rent a rowboat or pedal boat, go for a run or bike ride along the many paths, or buy a ticket to visit the Planetarium, the Sívori Museum, or the Japanese Garden. Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur Av. Dr. Tristán Achával Rodríguez 1550, Puerto MaderoWebsiteInstagram: @reservaecologicasurHours: Tuesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closes when it’s rainingFree entry At 865 acres the Ecological Reserve is the largest green space in Buenos Aires and one of the city’s favorite spots for walking, biking, jogging, hiking, or spending the day.  Forests, grasslands and lagoons make up this wetland ecosystem. And there are 2,000 species of plants, animals, fungi, insects, turtles, lizards, and coipos (native river rodents) that can be spotted along its six trails.  The space also draws birdwatchers worldwide — there are more than 343 bird species and you can spot at least 50 different kinds in just two hours. Riverfront sites along Costanera Norte Buenos Aires has historically turned its back to the river, but in recent years the city government has attempted to change that. There are currently a couple of parks along the river near Aeroparque Jorge Newbery that are worth visiting, especially if you have kids. Keep in mind that since they are rather new, trees were planted only recently so shade areas are still scarce. Parque Carrasco Av. Costanera Rafael Obligado and Jerónimo SalgueroWebsite  This park has a new hornero-themed playground (a type of South American bird) with swings, slides, climbing structures, bouncers, and play panels. It’s also a great spot to watch planes take off — they pass by all the time. There’s lots of green space to run, play, and have a picnic, with river views along the waterfront. There’s a basketball court, concrete tables and benches, and if you’re driving, there’s parking available. Parque Salguero Av. Costanera Rafael Obligado, near Salguero StreetWebsite Across from Parque Carrasco is Parque Salguero, another green space facing the Río de la Plata. This new public park was formerly a golf club — which had remained in private use for over 30 years. It now offers walking paths, picnic areas and activities for kids and adults. Villa Ocampo OK, technically you have to leave Buenos Aires City for this one, but Beccar is close enough and well-worth the trek. Villa Ocampo, the residence of writer and editor Victoria Ocampo, was an aristocratic meeting place for some of the most important writers and thinkers of the 20th century. Throughout its history, guests have included Albert Camus, Graham Greene and Pablo Neruda. Today, Villa Ocampo is owned by UNESCO and stands as an emblematic cultural site and a Historical Monument in Argentina. You can tour the amazing rationalist-style mansion, as well as explore the large beautiful park around it that is very peaceful and relaxing. They also host a number of literary events and workshops.