Godoy Cruz: Cycling Routes, Wine Culture and Discoveries

Godoy Cruz is a destination for active days and cultural discoveries: a cycling route, a park with sports and recreational activities, railway history and traces of wine culture all shape the town. When choosing your vacation rental, it may therefore be important to consider whether you mainly want to spend time outdoors, explore museums and architecture, or discover the local gastronomy during your trip.

Cycling, art and recreation in the park

A 6-kilometer cycling route connects Parque Estación Benegas with the boundary of Capital at Calle Moreno. If you include this route in your day’s plans, you can also consider using the public bike-sharing system, En la Bici. It is free and sustainable, with stations in Mendoza and Godoy Cruz. Bikes are picked up at one station and returned to the nearest station at your destination.

Parque Estación Benegas is both a sports and recreation park and a venue for cultural events, including concerts and craft fairs. On the grounds, Estación de Niñas y Niños offers families theater performances, interactive games and workshops such as painting. You’ll find a variety of activities here, from exercise and relaxation to events and hands-on creative activities for children.

Railway history and architecture

The Museo Ferroviario de Godoy Cruz tells the railway history of Mendoza Province and Godoy Cruz through a range of railway lines, stations and services. The Ferrocarril Trasandino receives particular attention. Guided visits led by trained staff and specialists are scheduled Tuesday through Sunday, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. If you’re interested in transport history, the museum offers a first-hand look at the development of the railway in the region.

The architecture also tells the story of the town. Parroquia San Vicente Ferrer is one of Godoy Cruz’s most prominent religious temples and is located at Lavalle 60. Bodega Caro is housed in an 1884 building with distinctive exposed-brick architecture in the center of Godoy Cruz. The grounds of the historic Bodega Arizu contain an architectural complex designated as National Historic Heritage. A tour there offers insight into the history of the winery, which operated at this site for nearly a century, as well as the history of other wine-growing families in Godoy Cruz.

Public art and local cuisine

For art lovers, the Centro Patrimonial Artístico Cristoforo Colombo presents contemporary art installations and performances, along with free workshops. The history of Cine Teatro Plaza is also part of the area’s cultural heritage: on May 11, 2017, it was declared a Cultural Heritage Site of the Departamento de Godoy Cruz. Another feature is the Encuentro Latinoamericano de Muralismo y Arte Publico, held in the departamento since 2009. Its eight editions to date have left more than 250 murals; municipal ordinance 6119/12 recognizes Godoy Cruz as an open-air museum.

For dining, keep Avenida San Martín and San Martín Sur in mind: both are considered gastronomic centers of Godoy Cruz. They offer prepared dishes, international cuisine and simple, quick meals. The options range from more elaborate dishes to a casual meal.

Piedemonte and active excursions

The Piedemonte of Godoy Cruz is considered a tourism, ecology, sports and education zone. In the department’s designated special conservation zone in the Piedemonte of Godoy Cruz, mountain biking, mountaineering, hiking, trekking, birdwatching and recreation are permitted above 1,200 meters above sea level, provided the activities pose no risk to the ecosystem. This elevation and condition are useful points of reference for anyone planning a stay in the Piedemonte.

If you’d like to set aside more time for nature and exercise, the Piedemonte is another excursion option in its own right.

For an overview of the wider trip: Departamento Godoy Cruz.