Next to the city's zoo and a stone's throw from the famous Maracanã football stadium, Quinta da Boa Vista is the second largest park in Rio de Janeiro. In the middle, proudly perched on the highest hill, the stunning, neo-classical former royal palace-turned-National Museum remains, whilst all around the local families from surrounding neighbourhoods play football and picnic. The wide boulevards are also home to hoards of four-wheel family cruising mobiles which can be rented by the half-hour (R$8), or alternatively take to the lake on a swan-shaped pedalo, or simply retire to the grassy hill and settle back with a book looking out across the sculpted gardens.