Hi there, I'm local from Lima, Peru. I've lived here all my life.
If something I'd like to tell you, yes... Cusco is fascinating. There's millions of things you'll be able to do. For example, Porn Girl suggested horseback riding.
When I went to Cusco, we went horseback riding, but with really shitty horses! I guess it was bad luck. However, riding an authentic Peruvian Paso Horse is one of the most valued peruvian tradition. I suggest you find them around.. I did a quick search and found
perolchico.com, which could be kinda expensive but soooo much better than those other horses... (peruvian paso horses, however, are more of a coast tradition).
While in Lima, I must say one of the most valued activities you can do here is EAT! Yes sir, peruvian food is among the best in the world and Lima has the best restaurants to prove it. There's "expensive" (for us, not for you!) restaurants like Astrid & Gaston that serve andean-fusion cuisine. Others, like "La Mar" (impossible to get there: too full, always), that serve the best seafood (don't leave lima without trying Ceviche, or Tiradito...). There's other "Cevicherias" that serve extremely good plates like: Punto Azul, El Gol Marino, Alfresco etc. Of course, drink several PISCO SOURs while eating. You guys will end up really drunk LOL!!
Another cool thing I'd take someon in Lima is probably the center, yes. But there's a district called Pueblo Libre ("Free Town") who's center is very nice. There, you could go to a bar called "Antigua Taberna Queirolo" where they serve exquisit pisco sours and you'll enjoy excelent atmosphere.
For further partying you could end up in Barranco... the bohemian district.
Always paying attention to those taxi drivers, sometimes they are jackasses. Try not to take buses/combis, they're more like an amusement park's ride.
But like someone said, there's no danger unless you end up somewhere real dangerous (but we all know EVERY city has dangerous zones and no one ever ends up there).
I'm telling you guys all this stuff so you don't end up enjoying "Larcomar" which is a very commercial food court/mall with nothing but commodities you could find in the U.S. too. I always see lots of tourists around there and I can't understand it. DON'T GO TO LARCOMAR, there's nothing there!!
GO EAT EAT EAT, the best restaurants are in town. The best food is here.
(other food suggestions: CHOCLO (giant corn) with cheese @ cusco, LOMO SALTADO, Anticuchos, etc).
But be careful with your stomachs, this food is kinda spicy!!
Shit, I think I got excited.
Contact me if you need ANYTHING: nicolaskisic at musichabitat dot com