Jakarta is not a sightseeing city in the traditional sense, but it rewards those who look beyond Jalan Jaksa. The old Dutch quarter around Taman Fatahillah is the obvious starting point -- colonial architecture, museums, and the atmosphere of what was once Batavia. The Wayang Museum and the Maritime Museum are both worth an hour.
The Monas (National Monument) dominates Merdeka Square at 137 meters tall and offers panoramic views from the top. Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, faces the colonial-era Gereja Katedral directly across the street -- a deliberate symbol of Indonesia's religious pluralism. For families, Ancol Dream Park on the waterfront has an aquarium, theme park, and beach.