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4. Middle of the World city – the area surrounding the Middle of the World Monument/Museum is a small “city”, a replica known as the “colonial city. “ It contains craft and souvenir shops, restaurants, and galleries.” The central plaza is often host to various special events – traditional concerts and dances, civic presentations, holiday celebrations, etc. – on weekends and holidays. Additionally, this replica of a city has a church, a municipal building, a market and houses of a traditional style where Ecuadorian crafts are sold and restaurants are located. The city also contains miniature replicas of the Quito Historic Center and the Malecon 2000 in Guayaquil. It is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
5. Intiñan Solar Museum – located just down the road from the “official” Middle of the World, this museum claims to mark the actual location of the equator as given by later GPS measurements. The fun and highly interactive museum allows visitors to perform tricks supposedly only possible at the exact equator, such as balancing eggs on their end and watching water spiral down different directions on each side of the equator. Other attractions include a collection of totem poles and the chance to blow a blowpipe. Admission is $2 and is open on Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm, and on Friday to Sunday from 9 am to 7pm.
6. The Geodesics Avenue- on the way to the monument of the Middle of the World are 13 stones representing the scientists that arrived to the site to measure the one quadrant of the earth in 1736. Charles Marie de La Condamine was in charge of the French Mission. Pedro Bouger along with other scientists, as well as Jorge Juan and Anotonio de Ulloa from Spain were part of this mission. Additionally, the Ecuadorian, Pedro Vicente Maldonado is included.
7. Pucara de Rumicucho- located only 5 km from the Middle of the World the name of this site is translated to the “corner of stone”. The site was a construction for Inca military use with its fortresses raised over a strategic elevation to defend this part of the Tahuantisuyon territory. Scholars believe that an ancient religious astronomic center of Pre-Incan cultures existed at the top of this hill. During the summer solstice people from different ethnicities visit Pucara de Rumicucho to receive and enjoy the energy that the sun gives out. The cost of admission is $1 and hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm; Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm
8. Inti Ñan Museum- an educational strategic spot through which the Equator passes by, this museum demonstrates various experiments, designed to demonstrate the energetic forces that occur in this place. Among those experiments is the test of balancing an egg on a nail. The museum offers the opportunity of becoming closer to the Ecuadorian cultures. One can find indigenous Andean style homes, animal exhibits, and the tools utilized by ethnic groups of other regions of this country. The cost is $2 and it is open Monday through Sunday.
