Of all the cities I’ve traveled to in the world, Mexico City still reigns as my favorite. It lures me back time and time again, revealing new parts of its cultural roots and my own.
Growing up Mexican American, I have fond memories of visiting family in Mexico, listening to boleros in the kitchen on vinyl, dancing cumbias at late-night parties with my cousins, and eating delicious menudo prepared with love by my grandmother. Every time I step off the plane in Mexico City, it feels like coming home.
The city embraces me like a warm hug, then pampers me with mouth-watering traditional food, passionate and welcoming locals, and a natural beauty that can be found in the most unexpected places. It has all the energy and aliveness of New York City, but without the pretentiousness. One moment you can be in the middle of the daily hustle and the next finding yourself tucked into a neighborhood of tall, tree-lined streets walking past small local panderías and bookshops, sipping a café con leche. Every corner ignites a sense of awe and imagination; it is the home of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, after all.
Here are a few of my favorite can't-miss experiences — encompassing the city's nature, culture, and food — for a long weekend or week in Mexico's enigmatic capital city. Spending a week here barely scratches the surface, so if you are anything like me, you’ll be planning your next trip back before you’ve even left.
Connecting With La Naturaleza
There’s no need to travel far to find nature in this sprawling city. Head straight to Chapultepec Park or Bosque de Chapultepec, located west of the Zócalo. This massive green space (1,600 acres) is where locals and tourists come to exercise, play, learn, and socialize. This park is considered the “lungs” of the city; its trees provide oxygen to the Valley of Mexico. Encompassing a zoo, several museums (including the famed National Anthropology Museum), Chapultepec Castle, an amusement park, and much more, there is no shortage of things to discover here while breathing in fresh air. Plan to spend a whole day or break it up into two half days to fully enjoy this city park.
Pro Tip! Outside food is not allowed in the park, but plenty of food stalls are available, as well as a restaurant at the National Anthropology Museum, should you get hungry.
A few miles from the city center lies a UNESCO World Culture Heritage Site. Xochimilco Chinampas, which translates to “flower field” in Nahuatl, is a borough encompassed by rich farmland chinampas (man-made islands) connected by canals. While Xochimilco is often associated with raucous boat parties, this preserved, vibrant ecological system is also where farmers grow food for 80% of Mexico City. Farmers have spent generations learning techniques for growing food on top of water. Visit the floating farms on trajineras, gondola-like boats fueled by a man and a paddle and learn about sustainable farming tactics and conservation. Then enjoy a lunch prepared straight from the food grown here, like pork shawl gorditas, tlacoyos, and chinampa salad.
For an adrenaline rush, Mexico City serves up plenty of rainforest-clad mountains and volcanic giants in its outer reaches. Consider a hike up to El Tepozteco, an archaeological site in Tepoztlán, or crossing Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl National Park to explore the historic Paso de Cortés. This mountain pass once led Hernán Cortés to the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. Both are regions rich in history, natural beauty, and ancient folklore, with stories of undying love and devotion shared through their towering peaks and puffing volcanoes.
Connecting With La Cultura
One of the most iconic attractions in Mexico City is the Frida Kahlo Museum or Casa Azul, in Coyoacán, where famed artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera once lived. Thoughtfully preserved, the brightly colored rooms are filled with her personal belongings, lavish dresses, and some of her original pieces. Wander through the home with a private guide to learn more about her tormented lifelong struggle with pain and misfortune, along with gaining insight into what fueled her work, which remains significant to this day. Afterward, spend the afternoon in picturesque Coyoacán, visiting markets, trying Mexican delicacies, and relaxing in the neighborhood’s beautiful and lively parks.
Pro Tip! Grab dinner and spend the evening listening to authentic mariachi music at Plaza Garibaldi to round out a day in Coyoacán.
Still feeling inspired? Mexico City is home to more than 150 museums, so there is no shortage of incredible art. Be sure to fit in a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology, which houses the largest collection of ancient Mexican art, the Templo Mayor Museum with its one-of-a-kind glimpse of the Mexican’s Empire’s golden age, and the Diego Rivera Mural Museum, home to the artist's iconic mural, Dream of a Sunday afternoon in the Alameda. They are all even better when explored after-hours with private specialized guides who can unlock the museums’ many stories during an intimate visit through the usually crowded exhibitions.
However, if you splurge on only one cultural thing in Mexico City, make sure it's a hot air balloon ride over the ancient city of Teotihuacán. This Mesoamerican site, which means “the birthplace of the gods” in Nahuatl, is considered one of the most important in the Americas. It is even more spectacular as seen from above, passing over the Sun and Moon Pyramids and taking in the sheer size of the pre-Columbian religious and ceremonial centers, with vistas over the surrounding valley. After a short flight, enjoy a celebratory landing toast and breakfast before continuing the exploration of Teotihuacán by land with an expert guide who will reveal the Aztec history, cosmology, and religion associated with the site.
Connecting With La Comida
Traveling to Mexico City is worth it for the food alone. Converging more than 50 regional cuisines from all over the country, from the mouth-watering corner taco stands to the died-and-gone-to-heaven Michelin-starred restaurants, it’s easy to satisfy both stomachs and souls.
Absolute musts (and requiring reservations in advance) include Pujol, an award-winning restaurant that offers a seven-course dining experience made up of seafood, corn, and vegetables composed of local and seasonal ingredients. Developed by renowned chef and Mexico City icon Elena Reygadas (named the World’s Best Female Chef in 2023), the Michelin-starred Rosetta should also not be missed. Located in an old mansion in the Colonia Roma neighborhood, the vibrant, open-air restaurant offers the chef’s deeply personal vision of Mexican cuisine. Not surprisingly, it’s featured on The World's 50 Best Restaurants and Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants lists.
For more traditional Mexican cuisine, head to Hacienda de los Morales in Polanco, a 16th-century Spanish colonial oasis boasting some of the best authentic Mexican dishes, or El Parnita in Roma, a popular spot among local hipsters for its straightforward tacos and tortas and selection of craft beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails. (The traveling taco with pork loin and leg with avocado and purple onion is a must.) And El Bajio in the southern part of the city offers the most diverse spread of traditional Yucatán, Puebla, and Oaxaca cuisine, such as gorditas de anís (anise small cakes), tamales papantecos (Papantecan tamales), and Michoacán-style carnitas.
For the sweet tooth, be sure to embrace churro (sweet fried dough and chocolate) and pan dulces (sweet breads) culture while in Mexico City. You will find bakeries and churrerías on every street corner, but we recommend El Moro and Pastelería Ideal as two places to head to first.
Finally, no visit to Mexico City is complete without tasting the country's famous mezcal. La Botica, Mexico City's first mezcal bar, offers the perfect primer to this magical pre-Hispanic spirit. Here you can savor the smoky, sweet, and herbal flavors of mezcales accompanied by a mezcalillero (mezcal master).
Pro Tip! If you're vegan, grab a table at Los Loosers. It was the first mushroom-forward vegan restaurant in the country and has been serving the community for over 10 years. The tacos are out of this world.
With endless things to see and do and pleasant temperatures year-round, travelers will fall in love with vibrant Mexico City. Plus, being a short flight from the United States, travelers can head back to explore different neighborhoods, seasons, and flavors of this historic and friendly city. ¡Hasta la próxima!
Where to Stay
Traditional Luxury
Four Seasons, Mexico City: For lovers of traditional luxury, the Four Seasons, Mexico City is for you. The rooms are set around an inner tree-filled courtyard with a large fountain centerpiece, giving the hotel the feel of a large hacienda. The quiet tranquility means you could easily be forgiven for forgetting that you are in the bustling heart of one of the world’s biggest cities. On site, there are two restaurants, a rooftop pool, a jacuzzi, a spa, and a gym. All of this, plus impeccable service, makes it the perfect option for traditional luxury seekers.
St. Regis Mexico City: The St Regis brand prides itself on extreme luxury for the modern connoisseur, and the St Regis Mexico City is totally on brand. Located on the beautiful Paseo de Reforma and overlooking the statue of Diana, the hotel is the perfect base from which to explore the whole city. The rooms designed by Yabu Pushelberg, have plush carpeting, deep, comfortable beds and Pushelberg’s signature laser-cut mosaic screens. With hues in a variation of greys, beiges and deep purples, the sumptuousness is palpable. As in every St Regis, each room has access to a butler service, ready to help with any request, large or small.
Boutique
Los Alcobas: Las Alcobas Boutique Hotel is a former residence transformed into a 35-room boutique hotel in the Polanco area of Mexico City. This edgy, design-forward property offers relaxation and luxury, just steps away from the bustling city. Earth-toned rooms and intimate alcoves evoke a feeling of home, while guest rooms feature such creature comforts as custom-made rosewood furniture, marble bathrooms, fine Italian linens, and views of the Polanco district.
Campos Polanco: Nestled on the charming Campos Elíseos street, Campos Polanco offers convenient access to Polanco's lush green spaces, trendy cafes, boutique shops, and world-class museums. Housed in a meticulously refurbished Art Deco building from the 1950s, the boutique hotel effortlessly blends rich architectural history, meticulously curated art, and modern luxury for a memorable escape. The rooftop terrace, La Azotea, also offers a beautiful setting for unwinding with a drink while taking in sweeping views of the city.
Has Mexico City captured your heart? Contact a Ker & Downey travel designer to get the most out of your trip with a seamlessly curated itinerary.
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Where Culture, Color, and Cuisine Converge; Mexico boasts much more than beautiful white sand beaches, tacos, and tequila.
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Amy Willis
Amy is the resident graphic designer at Ker & Downey. She first got bit by the travel bug when she studied abroad in Spain in college and hasn’t stopped traveling since. She spent a year travelling the world while working remotely and often takes running trips to explore wild places on foot. She loves Mexico, Latin America, and Asia, and recently went on her first safari in Kenya and fell in love with African culture and wildlife.
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