Top 9 Things To Do in Mexico City

When many people thing of visiting Mexico, they may think of beach or resort towns like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, or Cabo. But I’m not a resort girl — I prefer to visit places where I can get more of the local culture and go exploring on my own. Which is why, back in 2018 when Southwest Airlines still flew there, I spent some of my hard-earned points on a solo trip to Mexico City.

What I never expected was how much I’d love it! Mexico City is a busy, beautiful, vibrant city full of delicious food, gorgeous artwork, and friendly people. So when Matt and I had the opportunity to visit this past spring — and stay for three weeks — we jumped at the chance.

But Mexico City’s population is larger than New York City’s. And it’s nearly twice the size geographically! Which means it can be hard to know where to start with exploring the city, especially when your time is limited.

To help, I put together this list of 9 things you must do during your Mexico City trip.

1. The Zócalo

The Zócalo is a massive plaza — the historic center of Mexico City, and you definitely won’t want to miss it. Unfortunately, during our trip it was completely blocked off for some sort of event, so we couldn’t really enjoy it. But I remember being impressed by the architecture and its grand scale during my first visit. It’s been a gathering place for the local community since the city was Tenochtitlan, the center of the Aztec empire.

2. Palacio de Bellas Artes

Even if you never go inside, the Palacio de Bellas Artes is something you can’t miss. It has has to be one of the most beautiful buildings in Mexico City, which is fitting since it’s home to the fine arts — music, dance, theatre, and more. It’s impressive enough from below, but if you want the iconic shot like the one at the top of this article, here’s the secret: Go across the street to the Sears building (yes, that Sears) and take the elevator to the top floor. Head to the windows, lean over some microwaves on display, and snap your pics.

There’s also an open-air café on the 8th floor, which did look really nice and had a great view, but there was a loooong line of influencers already waiting to get in… so we skipped it.

3. Chapultepec Park and Zoo

Chapultepec Park is like the Central Park of Mexico City. You could probably spend a few entire days there and still not run out of things to do! Even just walking around the green spaces and gardens is enough to keep you busy, but you’ll also find Chapultepec Castle, the Niños Héroes monument, the Danza de los Voladores, and more. Plus, there’s the Chapultepec Zoo, which is free for all visitors! And it’s one of only a few zoos in the world that has giant pandas.

4. Anthropology Museum

This one needs its own section, even though it’s also in Chapultepec Park. But the Mexico City Anthropology Museum is MASSIVE! I think we spent about 3 hours there, and we didn’t even see half of the exhibits. This museum is truly world-class and full of so much interesting information about different cultures and regions in pre- and post-Hispanic Mexico. Unfortunately, if you’re not a Spanish speaker, you probably won’t be able to read a lot of the exhibit information yourself, though you could also hire a personal English-speaking guide.

5. Coyoacán and the Frida Kahlo Museum

Like the Roma Norte neighborhood where we stayed, Coyoacán is popular with tourists. When you visit, you won’t have a hard time understanding why! Its cobbled streets, numerous plazas, colorful art, and leafy green parks illustrate its bohemian identity.  And of course, a few blocks from the town center is the Frida Kahlo Museum, a must-visit for any feminist, artist, or history lover! Be sure to buy your tickets online in advance. (If it keeps rejecting your payment method, try a debit card rather than a credit card. Not sure why, but it works.)

6. Artisanal Markets

Coyoacán is also a great place to shop for art and handicrafts made by local vendors — the Mercado de Coyoacán is easy to access, not far off the main square. But you can find plenty of other artisanal markets throughout the city. My favorite is probably the Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela, only about a 15-minute walk from the Palacio de Bellas Artes. With more than 200 stalls, you’re sure to be mesmerized by the creativity and colorful artwork.

7. Day Trip to Teotihuacan from Mexico City

I’ve written about this at length — literally, three posts about two trips I’ve taken to Teotihuacan in the past four years. 😂 But if you’re spending more than a day or two in Mexico City, it’s a must-visit! If you don’t know much about the history or aren’t planning on hiring a guide, I recommend visiting the Anthropology Museum first. Whether you want to go to Teotihuacan with a group, on your own, or by hot air balloon… it’s totally worth it.

8. Devour Tacos

Would it be a trip to Mexico City without dedicating at least part of your time to finding the best tacos the city has to offer? In Roma Norte, we were lucky to have plenty of great options nearby. Our favorites were Tacos La Güera La Roma, El Gato Volador, and Taquería Orinoco. Don’t be afraid to try something new!

9. Drink Mezcal

When you think of Mexican liquor, you might think of tequila. But mezcal is actually far more important in the Mexican culture and lifestyle. (And tequila is a type of mezcal, anyway.) You’d be hard pressed to leave Mexico City without encountering mezcal at some point, so why not embrace it? Pretty much any restaurant will serve mezcal and mezcal drinks. But if you want to go all in, try this mezcal tasting Airbnb experience.

(Bonus) 10. Eat Insects

I’m not an extremely picky eater, but there are certain things I won’t touch (Like blood pudding in Ireland, or morcilla in Spain. Mentally can’t get there.) Generally, though, travel makes me brave. And so does alcohol. So… at the mezcal tasting experience, when our 10 mezcal shots were served alongside chapulines (dried grasshoppers), worm salt, and chicatana ants, I gave them a try. When in Mexico, right? If you spend more than a few days in Mexico City, you’re sure to come across chapulines at the very least. Don’t be afraid! They’re really not too bad.

Find more things to do in Mexico City.

 

Okay… I think this is plenty to keep you busy during your visit to Mexico City! It’s so big that I’m sure I’ve still only scratched the surface. Let me know in the comments what questions you have, or whether you have other recommendations!

-Cathy

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Originally Published on September 13, 2022.