Havana has some wonderful neighborhoods and sites to explore along with some excellent museums from art to history and rum. Make sure to visit:
Cojimar and Hemingway’s Finca Vigia: Not to be missed is Ernest Hemingway’s home in Cojimar. There, Hemingway wrote two of his most celebrated novels: For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. A Movable Feast was written there as well. You can’t enter the home, but weather permitting, you can view all of the rooms from the open windows and doors. You can also see his pool and yacht Pilar.
Vedado neighborhood: Vedado is a more modern part of the city of Havana than the areas to the east. It was developed in the first half of the 20th century, during the Republic period. Today many of the newer hotels and paladares are found in the area.
Museo de la Revolucion: Located in the former presidential palace, this museum features the story of the period from the revolution in 1959 to the post-1959 history. Avenida Belgica. Behind the museum in a glass enclosure you will find the Granma, the yacht which took Fidel Castro and the revolutionaries from Mexico to Cuba for the revolution, a surface to air missile, a US spy plane from the Cuban Missile Crisis plus various vehicles and tanks.
Cemetario Cristobal Colon: Cemetary of Christopher Columbus is one of largest in Central America. I enjoyed seeing the elaborate marble sculptures, mausoleums and gravestones.
Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas/Partagas Cigar Factory: Somewhat touristy, this new location for the famous cigar factory is a great place to see how cigars are hand rolled. They moved recently from the original factory after there were some structural issues. Their nearby store is a good spot to buy cigars plus local rum and coffee. The ban on bringing back Cuban cigars to the US has been lifted.
Museo del Ron Havana Club: This is a fun tour to learn the history and the process of how rum is produced. The best is the tasting at the end. Avenida del Puerto #262 esq. Sol. They have a store where you can buy their products as well a bar where you can enjoy a cocktail and listen to live music.
Piscolabis Bazar/Cafe: This is an attractive store for home decoration and accessories plus a small cafe. It is located in old Havana at San Ignacio #75.
If time permits walk the Malecon along the water and then visit the Grand Plaza de la Revolucion and see the Ministerio del Interior which is completely covered by a huge bronze wire sculpture of Che Guevara.
The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary on Cathedral Square is very beautiful. Stop in if you have time.