The 27 Best Things to Do in Mexico City
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The best things to do in Mexico City prove CDMX maintains its grip on the hearts of international travelers and for good reason: It's a vibrant and energetic (some would even say chaotic) place with museums, restaurants, archeological sites, parties, and architecture galore. Whatever your style, and speed, of travel—from early riser to night owl, or burn-the-candle-at-both-ends—there is something for everyone. These days, just know that a freshly elected female president, critical water supply issues, and debates raging over digital nomadism and gentrification have positioned Ciudad de Mexico at a turning point; being cognizant of those issues before you arrive will go a long way. For full-tilt fun, here are the best things to do in Mexico City—and what you need to know about them.
Read our complete Mexico City travel guide here, which includes:
Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Courtesy El Moro ChurerriarestaurantEl Moro Churerría
El Moro Churerría$Early evening is churro time in Mexico City—families, couples, and friends all go out for a taste of sweet fried dough and chocolate. You'll often find lines snaking around the block outside this beloved churrería (churro shop). There are shops in Roma, Centro Historico, Condesa, Polanco, and Cuauhtémoc. Most have spiffy interiors with blue and white tile, bright lighting, and long communal tables. Watch the cooks dip, fry, and sugar-coat your long, spindly churro, which is paired with hot chocolate in a flavor of your choosing. With your order of churros (just 20 pesos), you get a cup of hot chocolate for dipping and sipping. There are a number of flavors to choose from: Spanish (the traditional approach, sweet and thick), Mexican (a lighter version), French (has a touch of vanilla), special (semi-sweet chocolate with cinnamon), light (light milk and no sugar), Swiss chocolate (with whipped cream), and choco mocha.
GettyactivityMuseo Rufino Tamayo
Museo Rufino TamayoThe Tamayo Museum (Museo Tamayo) was founded by Ruffino Tamayo in 1981, when the Mexican artist donated his own works, in addition to a massive collection of international contemporary art, with the goal of showcasing 20th-century art for the public. The building, designed by Mexican architects Teodoro González de León and Abraham Zabludovsky, is made of reinforced concrete and white marble stone. You would assume such heavy materials would feel like an intrusion in the middle of Chapultepec Park, where the museum is located. But the low-slung design and natural tones allow the building to hide in and among the trees. Inside, glass walls and light wood floors make the gallery spaces feel contemporary, open, and spacious.
Max shen/GettyactivityTeotihuacan Hot Air Balloon Tour
Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon TourMaybe the only reason to get up at 4 a.m. in Mexico City, this reputable hot air balloon company operates a few miles outside of the sprawling pre-hispanic city of Teotihucán (a 50 minute or so Uber ride from Mexico City). They are curt and professional, with a well-run office. The guides have years of experience—which you certainly want when floating thousands of feet above the ground. Coffee, tea, and fruit are offered. Just don't miss your flight! There are no refunds. Also, it's cold up there. Bring extra layers, sunglasses, hats, and maybe gloves. Teotihuacán is impressive on foot but the true scope and scale of this ancient city emerges when you see the site from this vantage point. On its own, this beautiful, daybreak hot air balloon in the foothills of Central Mexico is perfect—add in the pyramids, courtyards, and excavation points which maximize the experience. It is simply, one of the most stunning views Mexico has to offer.
AlamyactivityLuis Barragán House and Studio
Luis Barragán House and StudioThis museum, the former home and studio of Pritzker-Prize-winning architect Luis Barragán, is frequented by architecture and design lovers. From the street, you'd never guess the personality that lies inside: The stark-gray façade humbly blends in with neighboring homes, but walk to the interior of the estate and you'll find striking walls in a kaleidoscope of bright colors, fountains, and pools. Visits to the museum are by reservation only and always accompanied by a guide. The house, located in the Hidalgo District of Mexico City, has been kept just as it was when Luis Barragán lived there, until his death in 1988. Visitors come to see his expertise in design, architecture, and color play. The tour lasts 45 minutes to an hour, and with all that color and interesting design, it's hard to get bored.
GettyactivityFloating Gardens of Xochimilco
Floating Gardens of XochimilcoDrive 40 minutes south of the city and you'll witness the closest approximation to the Valley of Mexico (in which Mexico City lies) before the arrival of the Spanish. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xochimilco, the extensive lake and canal system that once connected most of the settlements in the valley, is an incredible vestige of the area's pre-Hispanic past. Start at the Embarcadero Belem dock to experience the waterways. These canals, along with artificial islands called chinampas, are navigated by colorful gondola-esque boats called trajineras. Boats can be rented at one of the dozens of docking points throughout Xochimilco. You'll need a "boat captain," who, much like in Venice, will use a tall pole to navigate the trajinera through the canals. (Prices are generally fair, but you can negotiate.)
GettyactivityPalacio Nacional
Palacio NacionalA distinguished building east of the Zócalo holds (for free!) (to the public!) (in open air!) some of the most stunning Diego Rivera murals in his canon. The building operates as the seat of the federal executive branch of Mexico’s government, so there are office workers milling about and you have to check your bag and show identification before entering the building. But once you turn the corner and come face to face with Rivera’s masterpiece you'll be awestruck. Diego Rivera's famous mural The History of Mexico showcases the Aztec era to the conquest to the Revolution to the development of industry. It's grandiose and captivating, a unique opportunity to learn about Mexico's past. Note that sometimes the building will close at odd hours during the day when there are visiting dignitaries and what not. Make sure and find out when they're open and time your visit. You can't miss this.
GettyactivityTemplo Mayor
Templo MayorTemplo Mayor (translation: main temple) was the centerpiece of Tenochtitlán, the ancient Aztec capital, constructed in 1325 in the marshes of Lake Texcoco. The temple was mowed over and replaced by a cathedral during the Spanish conquest in 1521. Incredibly, the push to excavate the temple didn't occur until the late 1970s. Today, the hulking stone ruins lie at the heart of Centro Histórico. Embedded in the blueprint of downtown, and somewhat consumed by the scrum of the streets and surrounding buildings, it's hard to imagine the temples in their original Aztecan glory. Fortunately, the open-air archeological site has a nicely organized museum right behind it. The various artifacts and renderings of the great city of Tenochtitlán contained within make it easier to picture. If you are interested in the history of Mexico City, Templo Mayor is a nice way to while away an afternoon.
GettyactivityMuseo Frida Kahlo
Museo Frida KahloAlso known as "Casa Azul" for its shocking cobalt blue exterior, this museum is the former home where Frida Khalo was born and raised. She lived (and eventually died) in the home, which she shared with her fellow artist/husband, Diego Rivera. While the collection of their own artwork is small, what's perhaps more impressive is the couple’s collection of folk art, pre-Hispanic artifacts, photographs, memorabilia, personal items, and more. There are only a few Khalo and Rivera paintings in addition to other contemporary artists of their era. But no matter, seeing the house itself and how she lived is why you're here. The home is carefully preserved and maintained; it's easy to imagine the spaces as they were during Kahlo's time. The small cafe is set in the home's beautiful gardens; it's a nice place to sit and reflect on a quiet day at the museum.
AlamyactivitySculpture Garden at the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo
Sculpture Garden at the Museo Universitario Arte ContemporáneoLocated on the outskirts of Mexico City proper, at the National Autonomous University of Mexico campus, the Sculpture Park is totally off the tourist track. Featuring a range of grand outdoor sculptures, the park is best explored by foot. The sculpture space, which looks like a giant crater, is one the top things to spot. It's built around lava (which can be seen in the center) and has wonderful views from the ledge. Because it's in a tree-filled garden, spend the afternoon wandering the space with no agenda. You'll stumble upon numerous interesting sculptures. Even if you don't love art or sculptures, the garden is still a lovely place to spend a few hours.
Jeff Greenberg/GettyshopPasteleria Ideal
Pasteleria Ideal$This iconic pastry shop has been operating since 1927. It has two locations in Centro where you can gawk at the dozens of varieties of traditional pan dulce (besos, orejas de elefantes, conchas, bigotes, to name just a few), cakes, cookies, multi-colored, jewel-like gelatinas, and on the second floor, a special section dedicated to special occasion, remarkable ornate, five-tiered wedding cakes. Jump into the bakery culture of Mexico City by pulling a circular aluminum tray from the stack at the entrance and a pair of tongs to select anything that looks good. The gelatins are particularly fun and gaudy. You'll find that the crowd is virtually the entire population of Mexico. Pasteleria Ideal is an institution beloved for its cheap, classic pastries.
Leonardo Design/GettyactivityMonumento a la Revolución
Monumento a la RevoluciónThis landmark, located in the heart of Mexico City, commemorates the Mexican Revolution and is the largest triumphal arch in the world. The main structure evolved over twenty-five years of stops and starts and a major redesign. It was finished in 1938, to comprise an eclectic blend of art-deco and Mexican socialist realism styles. A visit to the top observation deck only costs 110 pesos ($5) and there's a museum underground. You don't need much time to witness the glory of the monument. Saunter around, gawk at the creative architectural stylings of the structure, and walk under the arches. History nerds may be more interested in the small museum below, but more than anything it's an architecturally significant piece, and the observation deck has great views. If you keep your eyes peeled while exploring around town, you'll most likely catch a glimpse of the monument down a main street—but a quick glimpse isn't enough, and it's worth the quick 15-minute trip to walk underneath it.
GettyshopMercado Jamaica
Mercado JamaicaWhether you're looking for a bouquet to spruce up your hotel room or you just want to enjoy a nice walk marveling at the variety of species available, Mercado Jamaica is Mexico City's principal flower market. Visitors come to admire local florists' colorful, artful arrangements, but stay for the heavenly scent. Visit during Mexico's annual Day of the Dead ceremonies to see trucks full of yellow and orange Mexican marigolds, or cempasuchil, waiting to go on their way to ofrendas in local homes and cemeteries. Tourists and locals alike mingle about at the market, and if you're tight on your budget this vacation this is just the stop for you as the flowers are as affordable as they are vibrant.
DBTravel/AlamyactivityCárcamo de Dolores
Cárcamo de DoloresThis historic but infrequently-visited site was constructed in 1951 as a hydraulic water system connected to the city's main water lines. It no longer acts as a municipal water work but rather a museum and cultural landmark, underscoring the city's complicated relationship with water. In the lesser-traveled section of Chapultepec, it is currently under renovation and closed to the public, though the massive Rivera sculpture of the Azteca water god Tlaloc out front can still be admired. The building was designed by architect Ricardo Rivas and would be worth a visit in its own right but is made even more appealing by a sprawling Diego Rivera mural that was originally under water! Drained and water diverted, the murals are even more show-stopping. A kooky mix of mid-century public works and contemporary art live here in the city's green lung.
Courtesy Eat Like a LocalactivityEat Like a Local
Eat Like a LocalEat Like a Local, a Mexico City–based company, runs culinary tours that immerse visitors in the city's vast food scene. With a maximum of six people, the tours (which cover street food and markets) feel intimate and casual. These tours attract a diverse crowd of travelers united by their common love of food. Although there's some walking, the destinations are sometimes accessed by Uber. Rocio has long been a food blogger, and her knowledge about Mexico City's food scene is on point. She's also passionate about connecting tourists with locals, and impacting Mexico City in a positive, sustainable way. There's a set itinerary, but she's flexible—so go on, order another mezcal or pork carnitas, if you like. You don't have to be a foodie to do this tour; just come to to experience the true flavors of a city.
- Cavan Images/Gettyrestaurant
Baldío
Baldío$$Baldío tags itself as the first "zero waste" restaurant in Mexico City, based on and fostered by the similarly themed restaurant in London, Silo, by the restaurateur Douglas McMaster, who helped them get the ball rolling here. The restaurant's mission is admirable, a completely no-waste restaurant, while next to impossible (there is toilet paper in the bathrooms, they wash the lettuce, etc.) they come pretty close. Orders are written on ceramic tiles (instead of printers that print out tickets), the bar maintains a few cocktails on tap (to decrease the use of ice), and the menu is constructed with local vegetables, herbs, wild greens, and fermented ingredients. A dish of roasted jeruselum artichoke in a caramelized whey sauce with crumbled chicharron is earthy and robust. A clear and focused pork-stock broth with shreds of jicama and mushrooms, excellent. Sometimes there are challenging flavors from herbs, mushrooms, and foraged bits and bobs.
Francesca Yorke/GettyactivitySelf-Guided Centro Historico Cantina Crawl
Self-Guided Centro Historico Cantina Crawl$Cantinas are the traditional watering-holes of Mexico. Historically male spaces, women were prohibited entry by law until 1988! Today, cantinas are somewhat more inclusive, though still dominated by day-drinking working class men. Some are ornately decorated with Porfirian-era wooden bars and elaborate stained glass windows, while others sport plastic tables and chairs. Many in downtown sit on corners, with double-swinging doors to block the debauchery happening inside from the general public. Locals and regulars alike hit the cantinas, which maintain a storied baseline for the drinking culture of Mexico City. Musicians pass through, sorrows are drowned, and gains celebrated. Many cantinas serve food, some better than others, and will often gift snacks and small plates if you consume around three drinks, though each spot has its own rules. Here's our unofficial one to you: the more friends you bring and make, the better.
JULIO CESAR AGUILAR/GettyactivityLucha Libre at the Arena Coliseo
Lucha Libre at the Arena ColiseoThe Arena Coliseo is a giant venue that hosts sporting and entertainment events, seating as many as 23,300 spectators. It's best known for hosting Lucha Libre wrestling matches. The stadium is sprawling, and although some seats are certainly better than others, it all depends on how much money you're willing to fork out. If you're here because you're a true Lucha Libre fan, make sure to sit in the front row; if you're here to have a fun night out with friends, the cheap seats will do just fine. Teens will enjoy this experience more than younger kids. No matter who's in the ring, know this: Each wrestle will be as entertaining as the next. Lucha Libre is all about the show, so you're guaranteed a good time no matter what. Come for a fun night out—one you can't get anywhere else besides Mexico City.
Richard Ellis / Alamy Stock PhotoactivityThe Centro Histórico Boleadores
The Centro Histórico BoleadoresThe boleadores are dotted around the perimeter of downtown's main square (and almost every other park and plaza in the city) but you'll have a great view of the cathedrals, flagpole, and Palacio Nacional if you get your shoes shined here. Climb up on the elevated perch of the boleador's chair and they will make your boots shine anew. At 50 to 100 pesos ($3 to $6), it's one of the cheapest shoe-shine experiences around. Boleadores are an important part of Mexican street culture and a fixture of pedestrian avenues, a living-breathing mid-century heritage that is not in danger of dying out. But with the proliferation of cheap plastic shoes and mass-market tennis sneakers, "limpiabotes" are a hand-crafted service for giving leather shoes a new life.
Miguel Tovar/GettyactivityMuseo Anahuacalli
Museo AnahuacalliAwesome, grand, and out-of-the-way, Anahuacalli is part studio, part museum, and part shrine for Mexican art that Diego Rivera built as an architectural piece uniting past, present, and future to the natural environment. Rivera's personal and expansive collection of pre-Hispanic figurines, carvings, and totems accumulated over a lifetime. The museum itself was constructed around a swath of rocky terrain Rivera and Khalo had purchased for a farm. The main collection features nearly two thousand figurines representing Olmecs, Toltecs, Nahuas, Zapotecs, the people of Teotihuacan, and those of northeastern Mexico as well as Rivera's sketches for murals. There are also temporary exhibits of more modern Mexican artists, with a recent rotation of 30 textural works by Robert Janitz—paintings, large-format sculptures, and an NFT.
Courtesy TripAdvisorbarPatrick Miller
Patrick MillerFrom the outside, it looks like a dumpy warehouse hidden behind a black gate. But come here on a Friday (the only day it's open), and you'll find a raging dance party that belies appearances. An eclectic mix of party-goers—from office stiffs with unbuttoned collars to hipster EDM addicts—come out every Friday night to show off their moves in dance circles. Expect to hear equally wide-ranging music, from '80s and '90s classics to sub-genres of disco, such as Hi-NRG, Italo, and electro. There aren't seats in this expansive indoor warehouse, throbbing with lasers, spotlights, and disco balls. But there is an upper level that snakes around the space, where you can take a breather and watch the dance circles form down below. You come here for sweating it out on the dance floor and amazing people-watching.
GettyactivityMuseo Nacional de Antropología
Museo Nacional de AntropologíaThis massive building in Chapultepec Park is the most well-known museum in Mexico City (second only to the Museo Frida Kahlo). Though it was designed in 1964 by late Mexican architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, the mammoth concrete building still looks as avant-garde today as it did then. (How exactly does that giant concrete slab float above a pond?) The architecture is perhaps as impressive as the exhibits; some people come just to see the building. The museum is home to the world's largest collection of ancient Mexican artifacts, spread across 23 rooms. Some of the most iconic Mesoamerican artifacts discovered to date can be found here. If you want to understand Mexico's history, then a visit here is a must.
GettyactivityPlaza Garibaldi
Plaza GaribaldiThis outdoor plaza, a few blocks north of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, is a cultural meeting point and hangout for Mexico City's roving mariachi bands. Come day or night (though the best time to go is after 11 p.m.), to watch the bands soliciting bar patrons, cars, and passersby to buy a song. Mariachi music, which originated in Jalisco, reached its zenith from in the mid-1900s, when mariachis regularly appeared in Mexican films. They would frequently hang out and play in the bars surrounding this plaza, which deteriorated over the years but has seen recent resurgence thanks to a city-driven effort to clean up the neighborhood by installing new sidewalks and street lamps. Swing by on a late-night jaunt after a couple of drinks to witness an important part of Mexican culture.
GettyactivityTorre Latinoamericana
Torre LatinoamericanaThis 44-story skyscraper, built in 1965, is the tallest building in Centro Histórico. The tower miraculously withstood both the 8.1-magnitude earthquake of 1985 and the 7.1-magnitude quake of September 2017, making it a rare feat of engineering. The Torre defines Mexico City's cityscape (much like the Empire State Building in New York) and is a useful tool for orienting oneself in downtown. There is a mirador, or observation deck, on the top floor of the building, with 360-degree views of the city, which are truly jaw-dropping. If it's crowded, head one floor below to the newly renovated bar/restaurant, which has equally impressive views and is almost always empty. You have to pay for the observation deck but if you ask the doorman for the bar, you'll be whisked up in a separate elevator, away from the line and for free (well, the cost of a beer).
barSalón San Luis
Salón San LuisThe dance floor at this old-school salon, cloaked in red light, comes alive as locals, tourists, and old-timers twirl and shuffle to the tunes of a live band. Try your hand at salsa, merengue, cumbia, and norteña numbers as waiters in crisp whites with black bow ties circle the room serving liquid courage. There are tables, chairs, and booths, but when the salon is crowded and the band is rocking, everyone is on the dance floor. The excellent band makes it their mission to get everyone out of their chair and onto the dance floor. There's nothing quite so electric as dancing salsa to the sounds of a live trumpet. Try and learn the steps; there's no shame in bad dancing. The pros might even show you a thing or two.
Juan Carlos/GettyactivityIglesia San Ignacio de Loyola
Iglesia San Ignacio de LoyolaThis infrequently-visited modernist church is tucked away in plain sight in a residential part of Polanco. Designed by famed architect Juan Sordo, it was completed in 1961 and features a sharp triangular structure covered in handmade yellow ceramic tiles. Show up during open-hours and you can tour the grounds inside and out. Inside, you'll feel struck by the spirit-lifting reflection. The Jesuit temple is encased by multi-colored stained glass windows that catch vibrant fractals on sunny days, with an effect almost like being trapped in a kaleidoscope. It's a place of worship, quiet contemplation, but also a haven for architecture nerds. The church is a local icon for Polanco residents. Visitors are respectful and curious. It's a beautiful, rarely seen spot without pomp and circumstance but a worthwhile stop while walking around the neighborhood.
Courtesy La Rifa ChocolateríarestaurantLa Rifa Chocolateria
La Rifa Chocolateria$Indigenous to Mexico, cacao has been consumed in the country and played an important role in Mesoamerican societies since 19th BCE; La Rifa continues the tradition with a small roaster on-site. There are a handful of tables sprinkled in the tree-shaded plaza out front, optimal perches for spending an hour or two. Ask to see the production in the back and they will most likely give a tour. Mexico is proud of their chocolate heritage, and at La Rifa it shows. Locals, hippies, chocolate fans, and a few food tours stop here. The main event is sipping chocolates. The water-based chocolates are closest to how cacao was consumed, pre-Columbian, before the introduction of the Spanish (and thus cows and milk). The cacao also gets transformed into various fermented and “washed chocolates,” high-percentage single-origin bars, chocolate tamales, and cookies. La Rifa is a great place to pick up souvenirs for all of your friends back home.
Courtesy AhuehuetebarAhuehuete
Ahuehuete$$This six-seat collection room is a distillate library, a stunning space housed in a centuries-old building in one of Mexico City’s oldest neighborhood. The Porfirio Díaz-era bar and backbar were found in a Puebla antique store and are over 100 years old (once you book here, you'll be notified of the exact location) It'll cost you $75 per-person for a six-spirit sampling, light snacks, and water. Inside, there are only six seats and a knowledgable barkeep/tour guide crafting a rich journey for you and your fellow spirit geeks. While tequila and mezcal are some of Mexico's greatest exports, there are dozens of other plant-based spirits like bacanora, sotol, raicilla, and charanda, distilled in micro-batch quantities in rural communities that never make it into commerical circulation—nor are they intended to. The team behind Ahuehuete has been collecting bottles throughout the years, traveling to rural villages to find interesting batches for their private collection.
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