Jessica & Emmanuel
Things To Do
Frida Kahlo Museum
Kahlo's birthplace and childhood home, and where she and Diego Rivera lived for a number of years. Contains artwork by Kahlo and Rivera, as well as the couple's collection of Mexican folk art, pre-Hispanic artifacts, photographs, memorabilia, personal items, and more. Wonderful display of Kahlo's recently-discovered clothing collection as well. Advance tickets strongly advised (unless you want to line up for an hour +) and can be purchased here: Tickets to Frida Kahlo Museum. (Open Tues & Thurs-Sat 10am-5:30pm, Weds 11am-5:30pm. Londres 247, Del Carmen, Coyoacan, 04100)
Palacio de Bellas Artes
An absolute must-see in the city, from both inside and out, it was the first art museum in the capital. This Art Deco masterpiece houses some of the most famous murals by Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo, and José Clemente Orozco. (Open Tues- Sun 10am-5pm. Av. Juárez, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc, 06050)
Biblioteca Vasconcelos
jaw-dropping "megalibrary" that turns book-browsing into a geometric adventure. Situated among lush gardens and covering an area of over 38,000 square meters, this floating matrix of books is known both for its size and the undeniable sense of import conveyed by the structure itself. (Open daily 8:30am-7:30pm. Eje 1 Norte, Buenavista, Cuauhtémoc, 06350)
El Zócalo
This impressive, open city square was the primary ceremonial center in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan prior to the colonial period. It remains an important gathering place and the historic site of many political demonstrations. In the center is a flagpole with an enormous Mexican flag ceremoniously raised and lowered each day and carried into the National Palace. (Plaza de la Constitución, Centro Histórico, 06010)
Bosque de Chapultepec
Encompassing the zoo, the botanical gardens, several man-made lakes, museums, a system of aqueducts developed by the Aztecs, and crowned by Mexico's one-time emperor Maximilian's castle, Chapultepec Park is unsurprisingly one of the largest city parks in the world. The center of all the action is right off the Paseo de la Reforma near the Museum of Anthropology, where most of the park's major attractions are located through the grand wrought iron entrance gates. (Bosque Chapultepec, Miguel Hidalgo)
Río de Janeiro Plaza
Stroll the beautiful turn-of-the-century and Art Deco mansions of Roma, either before or after a leisurely lunch at Rosetta. At the center of this lovely park is a bronze replica of Michelangelo's David in the center of a fountain, installed in the 1970s! Grab some sweets from the neighboring Dulceria de Celaya just down the street, gaze at David's glutes, and people watch on a park bench. (Plaza Río de Janeiro, Roma Norte, 06700)
Parque México
Simply one of the most idyllic spaces in the city is the Parque México. Just a few blocks from the Condesa DF Hotel, it is the most lovely locale for a morning meditation or a sunset stroll. In the Lindbergh Forum at one end of the park, you can watch children play soccer and dogs run off leash. It was built in 1927 on the former site of the horse race track of the Jockey Club de México, and is crowned by the iconic Fountain of the Jugs (no pun intended, as you will see!) by José María Fernández Urbina. Lush with Lebanese cypress, mimosas, and palms, this gem of the Condesa neighborhood is surrounded by cafés and local restaurants. Don't miss a stop at the local outpost of El Morro Churreria on the corner of Avenida Mexico and Avenida Michoacan. (Parque México, Hipódromo, 06100)
Teotihuacán
Teotihuacan, City of the Gods, is an obvious first choice for a day trip from Mexico City. The most well-known Meso-American site nearby to the capital, the Aztecs inhabited Teotihuacan from around the 13th century, though it’s a subject of debate who actually built it. The Pyramid of the Sun is the third largest in the world, and can be climbed for some pretty epic views of the pyramid complex and surrounding scenery. Stroll along to the smaller Pyramid of the Moon and find a good spot to watch the sunset, which lends an even more magical air to this impressive site. We recommend taking an Uber to get there: the ~$20 USD ride is about 45 minutes one-way, and it's easy to get a return Uber from the entrance. Hats, bottled water, and souvenirs available for purchase. Bring sunscreen and be prepared for lots of walking. Visit the neighboring La Gruta Restaurante, located in an underground grotto, for lunch. (Open daily from 9am-5pm. Ecatepec Pirámides, San Juan Teotihuacan)
Xochimilco
45 minutes south of the city by car, these "floating gardens" are a UNESCO World Heritage site where you will find the last remnants of a vast water transport system built by the Aztecs. Colorful gondola-like boats take visitors on cruises while food vendors, artisans, and mariachi bands float past. The atmosphere is festive, especially on weekends.
