100 Things to Do in Mexico City

1. National Museum of Anthropology: Mexico's most important museum. Incomparable pre-Hispanic art collection. The Sun Stone (Aztec calendar) is its jewel. Mayan Room is spectacular. Requires minimum 3 hours, ideally full day. Hire specialized guide.

2. Museum of Modern Art: Mexican modern art collection (20th-21st c.). Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros. Mexican muralist painting is central theme.

3. Frida Kahlo's Blue House: Frida's Coyoacán home. Intense blue, garden, studio. Intimacy of her life. Limited visits (book online). The house is more important than museum—where she lived, created, suffered.

4. Tamayo Museum: Contemporary art. International collection. Museum architecture notable.

5. Templo Mayor Museum: Aztec ruins literally under Mexico City. Tenochtitlán artifacts. Combines archaeological history with modern museum architecture.

6. Soumaya Museum: Private European art collection (Dalí, Rodin, ancient Greeks). White futuristic architecture is iconic.

7. Palace of Fine Arts: Neoclassical building with white facade. Interior is art deco. Rivera, Siqueiros, Orozco murals. Has theater (opera, ballet). Located downtown.

8. Frida Kahlo Museum (Dulce María Loynaz): House museum of another artist. Less crowded than Blue House.

9. MUNAL (National Museum of Art): Mexican art from colonial period to 20th century. Less touristy than Anthropology.

10. Contemporary Art Gallery Roma: Small galleries of emerging artists. Free. Dynamic, accessible, reflects local art scene.

1. La Condesa — Forest, Oval, Cafés: Upper-middle-class neighborhood, intellectual, cosmopolitan. Parque España (oval) is heart. Specialty cafés. Art Deco 1920s-30s homes. Pulsing cultural life. Most "pleasant" Mexico City neighborhood.

2. Roma Norte — Bohemia, Galleries, Restaurants: Similar to Condesa but more bohemian, less "sophisticated". Neighborhood divided into zones (Roma Sur quieter). Calle Álvaro Obregón is main street. Artistic, literary life.

3. Coyoacán — Authenticity, Frida, Museums: Historic village now incorporated into Mexico City. Beautiful central plaza. Bohemian atmosphere but more authentic than Roma. Blue House is here. Crafts market. San Juan Bautista Church beautiful.

4. Historic Center — Zócalo, Templo Mayor, Palaces: Administrative heart of Aztec and colonial world. Zócalo is Latin America's largest public plaza. Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace (Rivera murals), Templo Mayor. Local markets. Vibrant but chaotic.

5. Polanco — Luxury, Shopping, Museums: Ultra-luxury neighborhood. International brand shops. Fine restaurants. Museums (Tamayo Museum, Soumaya Museum). Upper-class residences. Not "cultural" neighborhood but concentrates purchasing power.

6. San Ángel — Crafts, Saturday Bazaar, Vegetation: Historic village in south. Cobblestone streets, colonial houses. Bazar del Sábado is crafts market (Saturdays). Library Space Sculpture Park has monumental sculptures. Less touristy than Coyoacán.

7. Tlalpan — Vegetation, Mountain, Colonial Village: Colonial village in south CDMX, surrounded by vegetation and hills. Beautiful central plaza. Colonial church. Less touristy. Starting point for Desierto de los Leones.

8. Roma Sur — Tranquility, Local Life: Quieter, more local zone than Roma Norte. Less tourism, more neighborhood life. Bakeries, local restaurants, slower pace.

9. Tepito — Market, Street Culture, Adventure: Neighborhood of informal commerce, street culture, urban art. The market is chaotic but authentic. Not "safe" in tourist sense—go with local guide. But it's real Mexico City.

10. La Escandón — Residential, Quiet, Green: Quiet residential neighborhood. Less touristy. Vegetation. Colonial church. Local neighborhood life.

1-3. Breakfast Basket Tacos: Most authentic CDMX experience. Baskets of tacos (chorizo, potato, cheese) sold in markets early morning. Greasy, delicious, ultra-budget. Best Mexico tacos for ultra-low budget. Mercado Jamaica is epicenter.

4-6. Jamaica Market: Largest flower and produce market in CDMX. Chaotic, colorful, authentic. You can buy flowers, vegetables, fruits. Also has food stalls.

7-9. Contramar (Coyoacán): Fine fish restaurant. Book in advance. Author's dishes. Serious gastronomic experience. Expensive but recommended.

10-12. Traditional "Fondas" Downtown: Small restaurants with traditional Mexican food. Mole, chilaquiles, tortilla soup, pozole. Cheap, authentic. Fonda Veracruzana famous.

13-15. High-End Contemporary Cuisine Restaurants: Mexico City has world-class food scene. Pujol, Quintonil are internationally renowned. Book months in advance. Serious culinary experiment.

1. Zócalo (Constitution Plaza): Latin America's largest public plaza (57,600 m²). Historic, administrative, symbolic center of Mexico City. Surrounded by centuries-old architecture (Cathedral, National Palace). Flags, ceremonies, public life. Where you feel the city's pulse.

2. Templo Mayor: Tenochtitlán's main temple. Archaeological ruins excavated under modern Mexico City. Excellent attached museum. Combines pre-Hispanic history with contemporary research.

3. National Palace and Diego Rivera Murals: Seat of Mexican executive power. Interior has Rivera murals narrating Mexico's history (pre-Hispanic to Revolution). Free entry (with registration). Guided tour recommended.

4. Metropolitan Cathedral: One of the world's largest cathedrals. Construction began 1573 (over Aztec temple). Mix of Plateresque and Baroque architecture. Interior vast. Acoustics extraordinary.

5. Correos Palace: Historic post office building. Beaux-Arts architecture. Still functions as post office but building is architectural jewel. Entrance is magnificent.

6. Vasconcelos Library: Modern futuristic library (opened 2006). Felipe de Anda architecture. Plants, light, space. Free entry. It's both library and artwork.

7. Latin American Tower: Historic skyscraper (1956). Observatory on 44th floor. 360-degree views of Mexico City. Entry costs around 100 pesos.

8. Art Deco Homes in La Condesa: Residential architecture 1920s-30s. Individual houses with art deco details. Walking Condesa streets is tour of historic architecture.

9. Colonia Roma Neighborhood: Porfiriana architecture (late 1800s, early 1900s). Large mansions, eclectic homes. Less "preserved" than Condesa but authentic.

10. Cuicuilco (South Periphery): Pre-Hispanic pyramid in south Mexico City. Ancient (600 BCE). Partially covered by volcano lava. Archaeology literally in modern city.

1-2. Chapultepec Forest: 678-hectare forest in Mexico City's heart. Chapultepec Castle (historic presidential palace, now museum). Museums within forest. Walks, trails. Artificial lake. City's "green lung".

3-4. Xochimilco (Chinampa): Canals and "floating islands" (chinampa). Pre-Hispanic tradition of aquatic agriculture. Trajineras (traditional boats) with tourists and locals. Atmospheric, unique. Less touristy on weekdays.

5. Desierto de los Leones: National park in southern mountains (45 min from Mexico City). Pine forest, trails, cool. Historic convent in park. Hiking, nature, escape city heat.

6. Teotihuacán (Day Trip from CDMX): 25 miles north. Pre-Hispanic pyramids. Accessible by tour or rental car. Requires 4-6 hours. Viable from Mexico City.

7. Neighborhood Parks: Each neighborhood has small parks. Parque España in Condesa. Parks in Coyoacán. Spaces of local life, green amid concrete.

8. Mountain Trails (Ajusco): Ajusco Volcano south of Mexico City. High-altitude hiking. Views of city and nearby volcanoes. For physically fit travelers.

1-2. Mezcal Bars in Roma: Bars specialized in mezcal (agave spirit). Roma has mezcal bar concentration. Bohemian atmosphere, craft cocktails. For mezcal enthusiasts.

3-4. Historic Downtown Cantinas: Traditional Mexican bars. La Ópera, El Salón Corona, Cantina Metropólitan. Colonial architecture, local atmosphere, history. Not "touristy" but genuine.

5-6. National Auditorium (Concerts): Mexico City's main concert hall. Opera, ballet, rock, jazz concerts. Varied programming. Location: Chapultepec.

7. Foro Sol (Concerts and Festivals): Music stadium. Large concerts, international festivals. Location: south of city.

8. Nightclubs (Varies by Neighborhood): Roma Norte, Condesa have nightlife. Electronic clubs, hip-hop, reggaeton. Closes around 4-5am. Dynamic, young, varied.

1-2. Cycling Paseo de la Reforma (Sundays): Sundays, Avenue Reforma closes to cars. Popular cycling route. Full of cyclists, skateboarders, runners. Festive atmosphere. Rent bicycle (Ecobici is public service).

3-4. Ecobici (Public Bicycles): Public bike system in Mexico City. Stations throughout city. Daily or subscription. Accessible way to explore neighborhoods.

5-6. Hiking Ajusco or Desierto de los Leones: Volcanoes, forests, mountains in south. Trails of varied difficulty. City views.

7. Lucha Libre Arena México: Mexican wrestling (lucha libre) is unique theatrical sport. Masked wrestlers, acrobatic moves, carnival atmosphere. Entry: 200-500 pesos. Authentic cultural experience.

8. Football Stadiums (América, Cruz Azul): Mexico loves football. Azteca Stadium (América) or Azul Stadium (Cruz Azul) are main teams. Weekend matches. Energy, passion, Mexican football culture.

1. Balloons at Teotihuacán (Dawn): Take hot air balloon from Teotihuacán at sunrise. Views of pyramids from air. Magical experience, expensive ($200-300 USD) but unique. Requires advance booking.

2-3. Tepito Market (With Guide): Mexico City's largest informal commerce market. Chaotic, authentic, dangerous. Only go with local guide. Experience real Mexico City, not touristy.

4-5. Museum Night (Tuesday Museums): Many museums open until 9-10pm Tuesdays. Free or reduced entry. Take advantage to visit museums without crowds.

6-7. Mexico City Metro: Metro is most authentic transport. 12 lines, millions daily riders. Travel with locals. Bellas Artes station has mosaics. Cost is 5 pesos (ultra-cheap). Cultural experience.

8-9. Neighborhood Market Day: Each neighborhood has market on specific day (sometimes daily). Jamaica Market daily. Spaces of local life, colors, aromas, music. Buy fruit, flowers, drink local coffee.

10. Sunset from High Viewpoints: Latin American Tower, Vasconcelos Library, Chapultepec Forest. Sunset over city from altitude. Golden light over asphalt. Expansive view of 20 million people.