Mexico City has grown from being the center of the Aztec empire to
a must-see destination attracting 259 million tourists every year.
History buffs enjoy its many museums and ancient ruins. Foodies enjoy a chance to shop
for fresh produce in open markets or find unique Mexican dishes. Adventure-lovers hike to the top
of its temples or take a trek to see volcanoes. Everyone else spends their trip relaxing in parks,
watching Lucha Libre matches, or exploring the city's neighborhoods. Many of its most memorable
sites are free or charge small admission fees. Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more info
on the many attractions this underrated locale and many others like it have to offer. So without
further ado, let's go ahead and take a look at some of the best things to do in Mexico City.
The Zocalo Also known as
the Plaza de la Constitución, El Zocalo is the main public square of Mexico City. It features
several nearby attractions. You’ll get a chance to see the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral,
and other federal buildings. You can also enjoy public events and festivals or concerts,
including the annual religious events during Holy Week and for Corpus Christi.
Visit at sunset to watch Mexican soldiers take down the flag in the middle of the square.
The Ruins of Templo Mayor This site was once the religious center of the
Aztec civilization as the city of Tenochtitlan. It was destroyed by Spanish conquistadors in the
14th century but unearthed again in 1978. Today, it’s been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Unlike most historical sites, it shows signs of the ways the building
changed as new leaders rose to power. The adjoining museum is full of over 7,000
artifacts and other cultural information, and new discoveries are added every year.
Chapultepec Forest This site is also known as
Bosque de Chapultepec. It's considered the lungs of Mexico City and is one of the largest
urban parks in the world at over 1,600 acres. Its three sections contain a lake, botanical gardens,
hiking trails, the former presidential palace, military monuments, restaurants,
an amusement park, a zoo, and more. You'll also see 3 of the city's best museums, including the
National Museum of Anthropology. You might even catch a glimpse of the ancient Chapultepec Castle.
Palacio de Bellas Artes The Palace of Fine arts, as it is
known in English, is a spot that is considered to be the cultural center of Mexico City,
and its romantic atmosphere makes it a favorite of couples. The purple jacarandas bloom in spring,
but it provides beautiful views all year round. It also offers various entertainment options
hosted in the national theater, including theater, dance, opera, and more. Its art museum contains
murals by Rufino Tamayo, and the National Museum of Architecture sits on the top floor.
Palacio Nacional The National Palace of Mexico City
is an ornate building that contains the entire executive branch of the Mexican government.
Its grounds are dotted with beautiful gardens, murals, and fountains.
It’s open to visitors Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m-5 p.m., and admission is free.
Xochimilco
This site offers a range of experiences to suit any visitor. Ride through the ancient canals on
a colorful boat known as a trajinera to see the wildlife preserve and floating gardens.
You may even be lucky enough to get a boat that includes a performance by a mariachi band
or sells food. For a spookier trip, take a tour of the hair-raising Isle of Dolls.
Whichever you choose, remember to respect the natural beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Coyoacan This spot is one of the most charming
colonias in Mexico City. Most tourists visit to see the Frida Khalo museum or for a chance to
visit the celebrated artist's home Casa Azul. You can also visit the Museo Casa Leon Trosky Museum,
Diego Rivera Museo Anahuacalli, and the Museo Nacional de las Cultura Populares.
When you're finished, walk around Coyoacan's gardens, courtyards, squares, and colonial
homes. Visit the central Plaza Hidalgo and stop by the Cafe El Jarocho to try some food.
Roma Norte-Condesa This section of Mexico City is
full of restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, and parks. It also hosts regular community events,
shows, and festivals. Be sure to check out Avenida Amsterdam, a horse track transformed
into an Art Deco street adorned with lush gardens. Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more info on
must-visit travel destinations. Keep watching to learn a bit more about some of the best things to
do and see in Mexico City, including historical sites, museums, and unique neighborhoods.
Teotihuacan This ancient
Aztec civilization sits an hour outside of the city but is easy to reach by public bus.
Visit in the early morning to avoid the large crowds of tourists that also want
to visit this historic site. The Sun Pyramid is the largest of its many temples, and climbing to
the top of it provides an impressive view. Grab a map to guide you to other sites such as the
Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the Palace of the Plumed Butterfly, and the Museo de la Sitio.
Tepoztlan This is one of over 100
Pueblos Magicos or magical towns in Mexico City. It has a local market with pre-hispanic foods.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take a 1.5-hour
hike up to Tepozteco for a chance to see the Coati, an adorable native mammal.
Paso de Cortes This long pass sits between 2 volcanos.
Popocatepetl is active, while Iztacchiuatl is dormant. It takes a long hike to reach them,
but the trek is definitely worth it. It's best to bring a tent to stay overnight to give yourself
time to rest and a chance to see the beautiful sunrise. If you want a less strenuous visit,
you can book a room at Amecameca instead. Sign in to get a shuttle to the La Joya parking lot at the
base of Iztacchiuatl. Puebla
This is the 4th largest city in Mexico but still manages to feel like a small town. It's one of the
oldest areas in Mexico City and has plenty of historic sites and museums to visit. It's also
the best place to try tacos arabes, a dish that puts shawarma-like meat in pita-style tortillas.
Cholula This Pueblo
Magico sits outside of Puebla. It’s also known as the City of Churches because it
contains over 365 of them. One of the most popular is La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora.
The Great Pyramid of Cholula, the world’s largest pyramid by volume, sits directly underneath it.
Basilica de Santa Marie de Guadalupe The world’s 3rd-most-visited religious
site was built in 1531 on Tepeyac Hill to honor the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe.
A new basilica was built on the same plaza in the 1970s after the original was
damaged. Its features include an ancient church, gift shop, museum, and library.
Catedral Metropolitana Mexico's national cathedral sits
on the north end of Zocalo. It was built between 1573-1813 after the conquest of
Tenochtitlan. It contains five naves, fourteen chapels, several catacombs, and a painting by
Bartolome Estaban Murillo. It's open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. every day, and admission is free.
El Angel de la Independencia This bronze statue of the Greek
goddess Victoria is one of Mexico City’s most beloved symbols. It was built to honor Mexico’s
victory in its war for independence from Spain but stands today as a mausoleum for war heroes.
Monumento a la Revolucion This site is the largest
triumphal arch in the world. You can also visit the nearby museum and find
the remains of Mexican Revolutionaries Pancho VIlla and Lazaro Cardenas.
Parque Mexico This park sits in the Condesa neighborhood.
It’s full of greenery and surrounded by art deco buildings such as its blue-and-white clock tower.
Ciudad Universitaria This incredible UNESCO World
Heritage Site is large enough to be considered a mini-city. It contains university buildings,
a sculpture park, the MUAC art gallery, the Biblioteca Central, and more.
Kiosco Morisco This Islamic-inspired
bandstand offers daily lessons in martial arts and dance. It's also close to another notable site;
the Biblioteca Vasconcelos. Torre
Latinoamericana This site is a wonderful
place to get food and drinks in the city. It also offers spectacular views of the Palacio
de Bellas Artes and Parque Alameda. Plaza de las Tres Culturas
As the name suggests, this site brings together the three eras of Mexico City's
cultural history together in a beautiful way. It includes Mesoamerican pyramids,
the colonial Templo de Santiago, and the modern Torre de Tlatelolco.
Cineteca Nacional This theater has a large white exterior and houses
a range of Mexican cinema relics. It also hosts indie films and has regular film cycles. It's
a favorite of cinema fans but also a worthwhile site for anyone traveling to Mexico City to visit.
Arena Mexico
This is one of the best sites in all of Mexico City to watch a Lucha Libre wrestling match.
They’re hosted year-round and are popular with locals and tourists alike.
Markets
The Mercado de la Merced is the place to go for the feel of a traditional
Mexican market. There’s a wide range of fresh food for sale, but be careful to avoid getting lost.
The Lagunilla Flea Market has been in operation since the pre-Hispanic era.
It’s an important trading post but is limited to one lot and only open on Sundays from 9-12.
More Museums Historic Mexico City
has over 150 museums to keep you busy. This includes quite a few more than the ones that
sit at the sites we've already mentioned. The Museo Casa Luis Barragan sits at the
former home of architect Luis Barragan. It's colorful and full of natural light with an
impressive garden outside. It was also designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004. But, keep
in mind that you'll have to make a reservation at least two months in advance to get in. It's open
every day except Tuesday, and admission is $21. Museo Soumaya hosts a collection of over 66,000
pieces of art. The Museum of Memory and Tolerance is a hands-on education center built to teach the
consequences of intolerance and indifference. Mexico City has cultivated plenty of worthwhile
attractions over its long, rich history. It has enough delicious food, ancient monuments,
and modern entertainment to ensure that visitors never get bored.
Have you visited any of these famous Mexico City attractions?
Let us know in the comments below. Like and subscribe to
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