Mexico City
travel guide
what to see / do:
Castillo de Chapultepec / The Castle of Chapultepec is an 18th century palace where the president used to reside, now it’s a museum for the public. Admire the classical architecture, manicured gardens and expansive forest views from the top of the Chapultepec hill. This is a cultural must-see!
Bosque de Chapultepec / Chapultepec Forest - walk around one of the largest and greenest forests in Mexico. There’s always action around here from live performers or immersive art pop-ups.
Hot air balloon ride over the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Instead of climbing these super steep pyramids and breaking a sweat in a cute outfit, why not go air balloon riding over this historic landscape. I personally have not done this, but heard great things & definitely adding it to my next bucket list item.
Palacio de Bellas Artes translates to Palace of Fine Arts and is the cultural center of Mexico City, home to various avenues of art including music, theatre, dance, and opera. Also home to very famous artwork by Mexico’s own muralist Diego Rivera.
Pro Tip: Across the street from Bellas Artes is a Sears, (YES, a SEARS!) facing the front of the fine arts building. Make your way to the rooftop cafe to enjoy coffee, pastries the best views of the cultural art center.
Zócalo & the Palacio Nacional are a part of a prominent plaza located in the historic center of CDMX. You can find it walking distance to Bellas Artes. Here you can find live Aztec dance performances and lots of action all around.
Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico opened in 1899 originally as a department store, now turned hotel has a beautifully preserved antique interior you have to see, including Tiffany glass stained windows for a ceiling!
La Condesa, La Roma & Juárez neighborhoods are hands down some of the hippest hoods in CDMX. Luckily they all neighbor each other. Here you can find, vintage shops, bookstores, small businesses and chic restaurants. Definitely book your airbnb here or stay at effortlessly cool Hotel Condesa DF.
Lucha Libre at Arena Mexico (near Condesa) where screaming obscene profanities is very much welcome here. Take your friends, order some beer and root for your favorite luchador. Bring cash pesos here!
Casa Azul in Coyoacan, visit the former home of iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo & once Diego Rivera. They lived in the Bohemian part of town and lots of their personal items are still on display. If you don’t know who Frida Kahlo is, I don’t know you.
Saturdays are for sailing through Xochimilco on a colorful chalupa (riverboat) with your favorite friends. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the xylophone, live mariachi, & freshly made tacos from the other colorful floats gliding by. BYOB recommended!
Museo Nacional de Antropologia this massive museum showcases the largest collection of ancient artifacts from Mexico’s rich history. You can find the ancient Mayan rock calendar here. Be warned, there is LOTS to see here!
Soumaya Museum has a stunning architectural design and houses several historical works of art, including a very large collection of Rodin. The building alone is a sight for sore eyes, financed by the richest man in Mexico- Carlos Slim. You can’t miss it!
The Angel of Independence is a major symbol and meaningful sculpture to the Mexican people. Located in a round glorieta on one of the main downtown roads called ‘Paseo de la Reforma.’
where to eat / drink / shop:
bars: licoreria limantour / fifty mils / hanky panky / king cole bar at the st. regis hotel / la opera / xaman bar / patrick miller / supra roma rooftop / bar oriente / tokyo music bar / mama rumba / kane roma / terraza cha cha chá / cha cha cha cafe (coffee bar in condesa)
restaurants: la gruta / tacos el califa / restaurant rosetta / rosetta bakery / blanco colima / bella aurora / contramar / churrería el moro / la opera / las chalupitas / pujol
shop: coyoacan street market / antara / paseo de la reforma 222 / el parián / cafebrería el péndulo / goodbye folk vintage / flora salvaje estudio
