Experience Mexico City To The Fullest
See The Sights & Experience Mexico City
Explore the Heart of Mexico at Zócalo Plaza
An absolute must for travelers exploring Mexico City. Its central plaza is one of the largest in the world and the city’s most famous area. Here you’re surrounded by beautiful cathedrals and ornate government buildings that you can tour. Sometimes it takes days to see everything the plaza has to offer! Show up at 8:00 AM to see the flag ceremony, where the enormous Mexican flag is raised to full staff. There are even pyramid ruins here that you can learn about when you visit. Add it to your custom top 10 in the Tripio app and start wandering.
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Experience Mexico City: Visit the Mausoleum and Monument to the Revolution
Standing at 220 feet tall, this is the world’s tallest triumphal arch and serves as a monument to the heroes of the Mexican Revolution. Now one of the most famous landmarks in the city, but not many know what history is housed inside this iconic structure. Inside the base of each pillar lies the tombs of four of the revolution’s heroes. You can take a tour or go up the glass elevator to the observation deck at the top if you’re in the mood for an adventure.
Experience Mexico City: See the Most Beautiful Building in Mexico – the Palacio de Bellas Artes
This huge, Art Nouveau-style marble building is one of Mexico City’s main cultural centers and a gem in terms of fantastic architecture. Here you can attend a concert or see the popular Ballet Folklórico de México. Go on a tour to see the beauty within the building, or see the museum’s murals that were painted by various Surrealist artists, as well as some by the famed Diego Rivera.
Visit One of Latin America’s Largest Churches – the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
No vacation to Mexico is complete without adding a cathedral to your itinerary. Visit this enormous, Gothic and Baroque-style cathedral situated in the city’s historic center. You’ll be wowed by the ornate architecture as you step through the doors. This cathedral took a whopping 250 years to finish building. There are a variety of historic paintings, sculptures, and furniture to view when you take a tour. You may get the chance to attend Mass during the week to hear the large organ playing. There are also catacombs you can view underneath the cathedral, where Mexico’s archbishops are buried.
Experience Mexico City: Tour the Historic National Palace
A historic building currently home to Mexico’s President. The National Palace is located in the Zócalo city center and has been lived in by the country’s top government officials since the time of the Aztecs. There is a museum within the palace that has grand murals painted by Diego Rivera as well as other artwork and sculptures. You can also explore the peaceful gardens here to do a bit of relaxing after your visit.
See a Lucha Libre Wrestling Show at Arena México
Travelers looking for a mix of entertainment and culture should absolutely add this to their Mexico City bucket list! You can purchase tickets to see a lucha libre wrestling show at this venue where you’ll see colorful masks, chanting crowds, and aerial moves that are just plain fun to watch. Even if you aren’t a fan of the sport, this version of professional wrestling originated in Mexico and is a symbol of the country’s culture. Definitely one of the top 10 cultural experiences to have while you’re here! Grab a frosty beer and some snacks from the stewards to tide you over as the show starts.
Experience Mexico City: Spot the The Angel of Independence
This monument dedicated to Mexico’s independence from Spain is one of the most iconic sights in all of Mexico City. Hovering over the city, this depiction of the Greek goddess of victory is clad in 24 carat gold and has a mausoleum at its base that houses the remains of 14 heroes of the Mexican Revolution. You can tour the mini-museum at the angel’s base and can even make the steep climb up its 200 stairs to the observation deck if you want to share her aerial view.
Tour Historic Chapultepec Castle and Gardens
Here at this 18th century hilltop castle you can stroll through the sprawling gardens or head inside to admire the gorgeous architecture, stained glass windows, and other historic relics to your heart’s content. This was once home to Mexico’s president until 1939, but now serves as a museum of history for visitors to enjoy. The walk up the slope to the castle is on a steady incline, but it is absolutely worth the unbeatable views on the terrace that overlook the city. Guided tours are available and will lead you to all corners of the building, past impressive state rooms and murals galore. For travelers passionate about history and art, your itinerary needs this one added to it!
Climb the Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun
Looking for a bit of adventure? Within this large archeological complex, you can hike to the top of the 256-foot-tall Pyramid of the Sun. As well as the other two pyramids that surround it. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most visited in all of Mexico. Thought to be constructed in 200 AD., the views from the top are something to behold as you stand on the world’s third largest pyramid by volume. Worthy of a spot in your top 10, for sure.
See One of the World’s Most Visited Holy Sites – Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
This historic and massive church is one of Catholicism’s most important pilgrimage sites. It is one of the most visited holy sites in the world. It sits atop Mexico’s Mount Tepayac where millions of visitors travel to each year. For centuries, devotees have made the journey here to pray to this form of the Virgin Mary for protection. A cloak containing the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe’s image is housed here, a sacred relic dating back to the early 1500’s.
Browse Local Handicrafts at La Ciudadela
With over 200 stalls of colorful handicrafts, textiles, pottery, souvenirs and more. This is one of the best places in the city to find locally-made Mexican art. One could easily spend a handful of leisurely hours strolling up and down the vibrant aisles and find something that catches the eye. Vendors are polite, not pushy, so there isn’t any pressure to purchase something if you’d rather just enjoy the experience. It’s a good one to add to your Tripio itinerary if you want to bring a handmade keepsake home with you.
Catch a Performance at Ballet Folklórico de México
For the ultimate cultural experience of traditional Mexican song and dance. You have to see this dance troupe in action. Shows include vibrantly detailed costumes, spectacular musical performances, and mesmerizing dance routines that will leave you in awe. The theater itself is an architectural beauty. Where you’ll get the chance to admire the impressive stained glass ceiling and stunning Tiffany glass curtain. You’re sure to be dazzled by the whirling dancers, mariachi bands, harp duels, and more at this 90-minute cultural gem. It’s one of the best things to do in Mexico City if you’re looking for a heaping dose of culture.
Experience Mexico’s Only Art Walk – Street Art Chilango
Promoting “tourism, coexistence, and culture”, Mexico’s only art walk will set you up with a charismatic guide to take you sightseeing around the Roma district. You’ll get to spot the best graffiti locations and art murals as you travel through the city, while also learning about some of the more artsy regions of the city. When the tour concludes, you’ll get to enjoy a mezcal tasting (or non-alcoholic drink) with your group. Be sure not to miss any artsy hotspots in the city by adding this to your custom top 10 in the Tripio app!
Tour the Templo Mayor Museum and Aztec Ruins
If you’re interested in the culturally-rich Aztec history of Mexico, this museum is for you! Not only do you get to explore five stories of well-organized and carefully curated collections of historic artifacts, you can walk along the ruins of the Aztec temple on site.
Go Museum-Hopping & Experience Mexico City
Visit the Iconic Frida Kahlo Museum
Also known as the Blue House, this was the lifelong home of celebrated Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It now serves as a museum, one of the most popular, and one of the top things to do in Mexico City. The house showcases the life and artwork of Frida and her husband and fellow artist, Diego Rivera. Who both lived here until Frida died in 1954. Once inside the museum, you’ll be able to view artwork created by her, Rivera, and other artists as well as personal items, photos, pre-Hispanic relics, and more. You’ll find this museum is well thought out and organized, and is on every art lover’s top 10 list when traveling to Mexico.
Visit the World Famous Museo Nacional de Antropología
Located in the huge Chapultepec Park with 23 sprawling exhibition halls, this famous museum is the most visited in all of Mexico. A treasure trove of archaeological artifacts from the country’s pre-Columbian past, visitors should give themselves at least a few hours to cover the whole museum. You’ll find significant artifacts like the Aztec Sunstone calendar, a replica of Pakal’s Tomb, and the Statue of Xochipilli. If you only have time to see one museum while on vacation, make it this one and add it to your Tripio custom itinerary.
Explore Art and Culture at the Soumaya Museum
You’re sure to spot this massive, uniquely-shaped building during your stay in Mexico City. It houses a private art collection that features over 66,000 pieces of art across 30 centuries. Making it one of the most expansive and complete art collections like it. Mexican art, old European masters, pre-Hispanic artifacts, and famous western artists like Salvador Dalí are all part of this collection. There is also a vast collection of artwork by Rodin including the famed sculpture “The Thinker” — a permanent exhibit here. The main goal of this museum is to examine the role that art plays in our lives and how it has shaped culture and progress.
Tour the Volcanic House of Diego Rivera’s Art at Museo Anahuacalli
This temple-like museum, designed by Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. Home to 2,000 well-preserved pieces of pre-Hispanic art and historical artifacts. Located 10 minutes from the Frida Kahlo museum, the museum made of volcanic rock has been open to the public since 1964. Some of the artist’s murals are part of the building’s impressive architecture, and the corridors will lead you to the top of the building where you can view the city from a distance. It’s evident that the artist had a passion for preserving culture in this creative, open space that he fully dedicated to Mexico’s past. The building sits on an ecological preserve that was once the site of a lava spill a few thousand years ago. If all things Frida are on your custom itinerary, Rivera should be too!
Experience Mexico City & Delicious Local Food
Experience Mexico City: Shop Local Goods at Mercado de San Juan
San Juan holds the title of the oldest and most exotic market in Mexico City. So old that it once served as an Aztec market that the Spanish allowed it to continue operating. Here you’ll find unusual meats like ostrich and crocodile if you’ve got an adventure-loving stomach. You can even munch on creepy chocolate-covered scorpions and tarantula if that challenge is up your alley. You will no doubt find an authentic, traditional meal to scarf down here, followed by a glass or two of mezcal to wash it all down. If you’ve never had Mexican fruit before, which is known to be infinitely more flavorful and juicy than most, you have to try it here!
Don’t Miss the City’s Best Food Tour – Eat Like a Local Mexico
“Food tours for tour haters and taco lovers”. This awesome company is woman-owned, promotes sustainable tourism, and provides educational programs for youth. Your small tour group will get to experience the best street food and markets in the city in a unique and engaging way. This is the best thing to do in Mexico City in terms of activities for food lovers, has a mountain of excellent reviews, and is well worth the price.
Eat the Best Al Pastor Tacos in the City at El Vilsito
Did you add taco tasting to your Tripio app itinerary? This foodie hotspot was featured on the Netflix documentary “Taco Chronicles”, so stopping here is a must for taco lovers! These are some of the best al pastor tacos in the city, and you can even try them with pineapple and a side of tasty horchata.
Experience the Best Mexican Fine Dining at Quintonil
One of the best fine dining experiences in Latin America, Quintonil astounds in both flavor and visual presentation and deserves a spot on your top 10 during your stay. Choose from either the seasonal or tasting menu to experience a full-blown culinary narrative that the chefs and staff will carefully curate for you. Always allergy-conscious and willing to go the extra mile, this restaurant is definitely a must-try that should be on every foodie’s bucket list.
Try One of Doña Emi’s Famous Tamales
Probably one of the best street food experiences you can have in Mexico City, Doña Emi’s tamales are famously divine and made with love. Travel here to try a sweet or savory tamale and order yourself a few more to enjoy later — they’re really that good.
Taste the Best Tortas in Mexico City at La Esquina Del Chilaquil
Come here early to experience one of the city’s most popular street food vendors, featured in travel publications and visited by celebrity chefs from around the globe. There’s usually a line to stand in, but the wait is well worth that first bite into their most popular torta, the green chilaquiles sandwich.
Try the Renowned Churros of Churrería El Moro
Don’t close out your vacation without trying the best churros around. This renowned churro cafe in Mexico City will satisfy those cravings for a tasty treat to enjoy while exploring the city. It offers vegan churros, milkshakes, hot chocolate, ice cream churro sandwiches, and light churros dipped in chocolate decadence. Come before the dinner rush to enjoy your tasty dessert minus the crowds.
Interested in some more history, check out: Travel The Puerto Rican Timeline
or more of Mexico: Best Adventures In Acapulco
and The Best Nature Escapes Near Mexico City
-Rachael Grow, Tripio Guru
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