Written by Tom Hooker
When most people think about Mexico, they imagine the beautiful beaches of Cancun, the dense forests of Yucatan, or even the crazy nightlight of Tijuana. But what if I told you that you can visit some of the country’s most iconic sites, gain an in-depth understanding of Mexican culture, and live one of the best experiences of your life by making just one single stop. That’s right; It’s Mexico City. Besides being the country’s capital, its location has funneled influence from all other regions, creating a unique culture that’s only found in the metropolis. Now, since there are so many places to see, things to do, and foods to eat, we’ve broken down our suggestions into seven distinct categories.
#1. Modern Culture
Mexico is a cultural haven. As a matter of fact, the country’s history is littered with poets, novelists, scriptwriters, photographers, and philanthropists that placed a huge emphasis on growing the city’s historic heritage. Major points of interest you should definitely check out include:
Tamayo Museum of Contemporary Art
Frida Kahlo MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
#2. Ancient Culture
Mexico’s ancient history is filled with legends about great emperors, fierce tribes, and advanced civilizations. Today, it’s possible to visit many of the pristine ruins, learn about the different myths, and get a good idea of how the Aztec civilization once thrived. Some of the sites you need to check out include:
Templo Mayor, Mexico City Archaeological Zone
Tepozteco Tula Archaeological Zone
Tlatelolco Archaeological Zone
#3. Nature
Deserts, beaches, jungles, plains, volcanoes, valleys, hills, plateaus, and snowy mountains—Mexico has it all. And while the City of Mexico doesn’t have the same diversity, it still boasts a solid number of parks, mountain ranges, volcanoes, and forests. While in Mexico City, you can visit natural attractions like:
Sierra de las Cruces Mountain Range
Xitle Volcano
#4. The Art Scene
The art scene is so colossal in Mexico, it merits its own section. The best way to immerse yourself in the local scene is to visit the areas of the city that revolve around art, which we’ve gone to the trouble of listing below. Having a local guide can also help you uncover many hidden gems in the art world, so consider contacting someone with knowledge if you really want to go all out. ALLMYNE can be a great service to get you talking with a certified guide in no time!
Hipodromo
#5. Fooooooooood
For us, part of getting to know a place is figuring out the best places to eat. So, instead of listing places, we’ll leave the exploring up to you. Instead, we’ll share five traditional dishes you should add to your must-try list while in Mexico City.
Chilaquiles
Chapulines
Atole drink
Mole
Pozole
#6. Local Life
For many travelers, experiencing life like a local is just as important as visiting major attractions. If you’re in Mexico City, there is no doubt that the local experience is far superior to the tourist special. Here are some activities to consider if you want to step out of your known comfort zones and potentially discover new ones:
Attend a lucha libre (local wrestling) fight
Visit the dozens of markets in Mexico City
Take a day trip to Puebla
Visit the Luis Enrique Erro planetarium
Ride the cable car
#7. Sports
From Olympic disciplines to popular sports like soccer, baseball, and boxing, Mexico has a great sports tradition. Mexico City is, without a doubt, the best place to learn about the country’s athletic success because it houses the most important museums, venues, and competitions across the nation. Do you want to immerse yourself in Mexico’s rich sports culture and history? Try out one of these activities:
Attend a football game from the national league or cup
Attend an abroad game from US professional sports teams
Visit the Mexican Olympic Museum
Visit the Estadio Azteca and other iconic venues
While exploring the city on your own terms may take a while, you can always hit the ground running by reaching out to a local guide, getting a custom plan built for your trip, and having someone knowledgeable with you throughout your visit. And what better way to get all the resources you need than ALLMYNE. ALLMYNE can help you contact professional local guides while allowing you to easily document and share your trip. So take the hassle out of seeing wonders abroad and start investing in your trip today!
