Attractions in Mexico City

ATTRACTIONS IN MEXICO CITY
When most people think about traveling to Mexico we think about tacos and tequila, mariachi and margaritas, about the
beautiful beaches — Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, etc — or the colonial towns
of Oaxaca and San Cristobal, or the stunning ruins and pyramids in Mexico, but there are also plenty of things to do in
Mexico City.
Built on the ruins of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, Mexico City is one of the oldest and largest cities in the
Americas. Colonial architecture, iconic artwork, spicy cuisine, and a rich cultural heritage offer visitors an endless array
of activities that will satisfy any appetite.
To get you started here are my top recommendations for what to do in Mexico City (but there are plenty more
attractions!).
HISTORIC CENTER: CITY OF PALACES
The Aztecs built their empire on Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico—a great island city connected by ca nals and
protected by fortresses. When Spanish conquerors arrived in Tenochtitlan in the 16th century, they destroyed the
island, drained the lake, and constructed a “city of palaces” over the ruins. Past and present blend together in the
Historic Center of Mexico City—its museums, cathedrals, and temples reveal a storied past. The Zócalo, the city’s main
public square, is second largest in the world after Moscow’s Red Square and within a short distance of several significant
sites. Highlights include the Palacio Nacional, home to the president’s offices. The colonial building is located at the site
where the palace of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma once stood, and it’s decorated with murals by Mexican artist Diego
Rivera. The Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, built over a period of more than 200 years, is the largest in the
Americas and combines Renaissance, baroque, and neoclassical architectural styles.
XOCHIMILCO: WHERE THE FLOWERS GROW
In the south of Mexico City, a network of canals weaves through a series of man-made islands in Xochimilco, the so-
called “Venice of the New World.” Xochimilco, meaning “where the flowers grow,” is aptly named for its chinampas, or
floating gardens. Farmers constructed reed rafts on the lake, slathered them with mud, and cultivated fruits, vegetables,
and flowers right on the water. Over time, the gardens rooted and became islands. On weekends, trajineras, brightly
decorated flat-bottom boats, carry passengers through the canals. Small boats also navigate the waterways, delivering
drinks and snacks to lively passengers.
TEOTIHUACAN: CITY OF THE GODS
Mexico boasts more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the Americas, like the ancient
archaeological site of Teotihuacan, located 45 minutes northeast of Mexico City. Lining the Avenue of the Dead, the
monumental Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon stretch across the valley in geometric
patterns—a model of urbanization and city planning that guided subsequent cultures. The towering structures represent
only 10 percent of the total surface, a testament to one of the largest and most powerful cultural and artistic centers in
Mesoamerica. In fact, this site is so awe-inspiring, some people believe it was built by aliens.
ART: MESOAMERICA TO MODERN MEXICO
Palacio de Bellas Artes is a stunning work of early 20th-century architecture located in the Centro Histórico. The palace
hosts temporary art exhibits and features permanent murals by some of Mexico's most celebrated artists, including
Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and Rufino Tamayo. The Dolores Olmedo Musuem’s beautiful five-building complex
features a collection of pre-Hispanic, colonial, folk, and contemporary art, including a large collection of works by Frida
Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
FOREST OF CHAPULTEPEC: AN OUTDOOR OASIS

Chapultepec is Mexico City’s largest park and home to several significant historical sites. Near the park’s main entrance
stands the Monument of Young Heroes, which honors six young cadets who refused to surrender at the Battle of
Chapultepec in 1847 during the Mexican-American War. Follow the road to the top of the hill overlooking Mexico City,
where Chapultepec Castle houses the National History Museum. Other attractions in the sprawling park include
botanical gardens, a modern art museum, Tamayo Museum, and National Museum of Anthropology. Outside the main
entrance of the anthropology museum, costumed entertainers perform the ancient rite of the voladores (fliers), in which
four instrument-wielding men swing around a tall pole as if they were flying.
COYOACÁN: PLACE OF COYOTES
One of Mexico City’s “magical neighborhoods,” Coyoacán has vibrant cobblestone streets, colonial churches, and
bustling markets that transport visitors back in time. The main plaza, Jardín Centenario (Centenario Garden), showcases
a fountain honoring the coyote—the animal that gave Coyoacán, “the place of coyotes,” its name. Across from the plaza,
the early 16th-century San Juan Bautista Cathedral towers into the sky, while vendors peddle toys and snacks outside.
Sit down for some classic Mexican cuisine at Los Danzantes, and enjoy the scene. A 15-minute walk from the plaza leads
to La Casa Azul (the Blue House), the former home of Mexican icon Frida Kahlo, which was converted into a museum
after her death. If you’re feeling inspired, all sorts of Frida Kahlo-shaped earrings, T-shirts, and purses can be found in
the Bazar Artesanal Mexicano, along with a multitude of other traditional handicrafts.
Seriously, visit Mexico City and prepare to be blown away.

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ATTRACTIONS IN MEXICO CITY

HISTORIC CENTER: CITY OF PALACES

XOCHIMILCO: WHERE THE FLOWERS GROW

TEOTIHUACAN: CITY OF THE GODS

ART: MESOAMERICA TO MODERN MEXICO

FOREST OF CHAPULTEPEC: AN OUTDOOR OASIS

COYOACÁN: PLACE OF COYOTES

Seriously, visit Mexico City and prepare to be blown away.

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