Varginha combines parks with cultural venues that present the city’s history and the E.T. theme in different ways. At Parque Centenário, natural woodland, springs, a lake and paths shape the landscape; the Museu Municipal offers further ways to explore the city’s history. These specific features can help you decide which nature and cultural destinations best suit your interests.
Parks with different features
Parque Centenário covers 175,600 m². The grounds include a small natural woodland, and three springs feed the central lake. Paved paths are intended for walking and cycling. There is also a children’s playground and an outdoor gym. This means the park brings together landscape features and opportunities for exercise. Check the condition of the facilities before your visit, as it may change.
At Parque Novo Horizonte, a walking path runs around the lake. Its native forest is home to numerous birds and small wild animals. The lakeside path is a clearly identified feature for a walk; Parque Centenário, by contrast, offers paved paths intended for walking or cycling. When choosing between the two parks, you can therefore compare the paths described for each without treating them as the same.
The primary purpose of Parque Natural Municipal SĂŁo Francisco de Assis is to preserve ecologically important natural ecosystems and to support environmental education, nature-based recreation and ecotourism. The park is closed to visitors. Take this status into account when planning, and check whether it has changed before making plans for a future visit.
City history and cultural venues
The Museu Municipal de Varginha was established on April 26, 2000, as Casa de Cultura, to bring together documents and the history of Princesa do Sul. Its collection includes more than 7,000 historical objects donated spontaneously. Its program also includes workshops, professional development courses, talks on heritage education, and themed exhibitions. The collection, educational activities and exhibitions offer different ways to explore history and cultural heritage.
“O Caso do E.T. e a Identidade Varginhense” was registered as Varginha’s intangible cultural heritage on June 5, 2023. The title itself connects the E.T. theme with Varginha’s identity. The Theatro Municipal Capitólio opened in 1927; its eclectic decorative elements are attributed to Alexandre Valatti. The new Estação Ferroviária building was inaugurated in June 1934, providing another date in the city’s architectural history.
The Memorial do ET opened on November 9, 2022. At the Planetário do Memorial do ET, an immersive 360-degree projection features topics such as the universe, astronomy and space exploration. Check current visitor arrangements when planning a specific visit. Another distinctive structure is the Nave do ET: the elevated water tank built by COPASA was constructed on Praça Marechal Floriano in 2003.
Getting there and further natural context
Aeroporto de Varginha — Major Brigadeiro Trompowsky — is 5 kilometers from the city center. Commercial, domestic and private flights depart from there. Routes and schedules are subject to change; check current routes and times before your trip.
For a broader look beyond Varginha: in the state of Minas Gerais, 94 protected areas safeguard almost two million hectares across the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Caatinga biomes. Tourism is established in 17 natural parks in Minas Gerais. Minas Gerais offers a variety of natural landscapes for nature lovers.
Discover more destinations: Joanésia, Centralina, Cataguases, Porto Firme, Resplendor, Monte Sião, Boa Esperança, Lassance.
For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.
