26 Best Things to Do in Mexico City, From Fine Art to Fine Dining and Shopping

From visiting museums to learning about tequila, these are the best things to do in Mexico City.

Mexico City is centuries old, and it would take at least that amount of time to experience all the culture, dining, arts, and hidden corners the city offers. The sprawling metropolis is home to more than 9 million residents living in more than 1,800 colonias, or neighborhoods.

Mexico City has recently seen a rise in visitors, who come to sip chocolate at La Rifa Chocolateria and shop the Avenida Presidente Masaryk. Travelers enjoy both historical sites and new additions, like modern restaurants and hotels.

Related: Take a Tour of Mexico City's Thriving Street Food Scene in 'Walk With T+L'

There's simply too much to see, taste, and experience, but we came up with some of the best things to do in Mexico City to kickstart your exploration.

See the Murals at Palacio de Bellas Artes

Construction on this iconic concert hall and arts center in Centro Histórico started in 1905, but the the Art Nouveau/Art Deco building wasn’t finished until 1934. The third floor displays 17 murals by seven prominent Mexican artists of the 20th century. One of the pieces, Diego Rivera’s Man at the Crossroads, is a recreation of an earlier version the famed muralist and revolutionary created for New York’s Rockefeller Center (before it was deemed it too controversial and destroyed).

Indulge in Fine Dining at Pujol

Pujol, Enrique Olvera’s celebrated ode to Mexican gastronomy, tops most lists of the best restaurants in Mexico City. The seasonal tasting menu showcases the kitchen's modern take on traditional Mexican techniques and ingredients, including a signature mole aged for over 2,000 days.

People Watch in Parque México

This urban park is the green heartbeat of La Condesa. Its oval shape evokes the horse-racing track it replaced in 1927. The trees, fountains, and ample seating provide a perfect spot to catch one’s breath and people watch. Explore the manicured walking paths with an espresso or hot chocolate in hand.

Find Inspiration at the Frida Kahlo Museum

La Casa Azul (the Blue House), in Coyoacán, easily spotted thanks to its striking cobalt shade, is where Mexican artist and revolutionary Frida Kahlo spent much of her life. Now a museum, the house displays some of her personal belongings, paintings, photographs, and dresses in a series of rooms and gardens.

Shop Handicrafts at Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela

You don't have to travel to Oaxaca to find handicrafts and souvenirs made by local artisans. This market in Colonia Centro is the place to shop for ceramics, silver jewelry, wool blankets, and art handmade all over Mexico.

Wander Through Bosque de Chapultepec

At more than 1,600 acres, Bosque de Chapultepec is more than just a park. It houses a zoo, eight museums, a recreational lake, and monuments to Mexico's heroes. Don’t miss Chapultepec Castle, built in the 18^th century for the Spanish viceroy and now home to the National History Museum (pictured). Food vendors and street performers draw locals to the park on weekends.

Marvel at Museo Soumaya

The striking architecture is just part of what makes this jaw-dropping art museum one of the best things to do in Mexico City. The private collection holds more than 66,000 pieces with an estimated value of more than $700 million, but don't worry – admission is free.

Explore the Stacks at Biblioteca Vasconcelos

You might not initially include a library visit on a list of things to do in Mexico City, but Biblioteca Vasconcelos is an architectural marvel. The bookshelves are cantilevered out from the sides, giving them the appearance of floating from the ceiling. Smoked glass floors and multiple levels create an almost dizzying biblio-industrial aesthetic.

Chow Down at Churrería el Moro

Chewing on churros is easily one of the best things to do in Mexico City. While you'll find slightly stale (and cheaper) ones from street vendors, Churrería el Moro is an authentic stop for perfectly chewy churros, hot chocolate, and ice cream sandwiches. There are more than a dozen locations throughout the city, but the one in Centro Historico is the original and easiest to find.

Explore the Supernatural at Mercado Sonora

Mexico City is home to multiple markets, but Mercado Sonora is one of the few that sells occult products alongside pi?atas, home goods, and fresh cacti. The rear of the market holds stalls dedicated to medicinal herbs, Santería statues, and Day of the Dead altar materials.

Visit Barrio Alameda

This Art Deco shopping and design center sits at the western edge of Alameda Central, the oldest public park in the Americas. It's one of the best places to go in Mexico City if you like visiting edgy boutiques and upscale restaurants. The rooftop patio is especially popular.

Order Seafood at Contramar

You might not think of landlocked Mexico City as a hotspot for seafood, but Contramar will confound your expectations. Creative takes on whole grilled fish and oysters abound.

Honor History at El Zócalo

Mexico City's Zócalo is one of the largest urban plazas in the world, and it occupies what had been the center of the ancient Aztec capital Tenochtitlan. Today, an enormous Mexican flag, which soldiers raise in a daily ceremony, marks the spot.

Stop by El Tizoncito for Tacos Al Pastor

This Condesa taqueria has some of the best tacos al pastor in Mexico City. Thinly-sliced and marinated pork is topped with raw onion, fresh cilantro, and slivers of sweet pineapple.

Listen to Music at Plaza Garibaldi

Plaza Garibaldi draws roving bands of Mariachi performers. Snag a spot at a nearby bar, order a tequila, and enjoy the show for the price of a song.

Take a Shot at the Museo del Tequila y Mezcal

Whether you choose a guided tour or wander among the tequila displays solo, there's a lot to learn about Mexico's most celebrated spirit at this museum. And yes, there's an onsite cantina where you can sample some for yourself.

Spot the Street Art

Mexico City is a respected art capital, but you don't have to visit a museum to see all of its masterpieces. The city's streets offer the opportunity to view an ever-changing showcase of murals and pieces, especially around Roma and Condesa.

Learn About the City's Ancient Origins at Templo Mayor

Templo Mayor was the primary worship site of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. Long thought lost after the destruction of the city by the Spanish in 1521, the remains of the temple were found next to the Metropolitan Cathedral and excavated from 1978 to 1982. Now, it's an archaeological site with an accompanying museum where visitors can view artifacts from the ancient structure and learn about its history.

Eat Something Unexpected at Quintonil

More than just a restaurant, Polanco's Quintonil is a gastronomic experience renowned for its ultra-modern Mexican cuisine with a traditional angle.

Experience the Zona Rosa Nightlife

The "pink zone" is one of the liveliest nightlife scenes in Mexico City, and it's particularly popular with the LGBTQ+ crowd. From karaoke bars to cocktail lounges to dancing, there's something for everyone.

Appreciate Indigenous History at Museo Nacional de Antropología

History enthusiasts will love this museum's collection of Indigenous artifacts (the largest in Mexico) spread across multiple galleries and outdoor gardens. Don't miss the Sun Stone, an intricate (and mysterious) Aztec solar disk, in the Mexicas room.

Pick Up a Luxury Souvenir on Avenida Presidente Masaryk

Running through the middle of Polanco, Avenida Presidente Masaryk is one of the most expensive streets in the world, comparable to glitzy thoroughfares like New York's Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Here you’ll find luxury stores like Louis Vuitton and Cartier, as well as great restaurants, bars, and cafés.  

See What’s Blooming at Mercado de Jamaica

This market in Venustiano Carranza stands out from others around Mexico City for its abundant bouquets of colorful flowers. Pick up a custom arrangement or just snap a pic in front of the pink and gold bursts of Mexican marigolds while breathing in the scent of 5,000 varieties of flowers and ornamental plants.

Marvel at the Lobby of the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México

You don't have to make a reservation to appreciate the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México. Stop in to see the ornate Art Nouveau architecture, which includes an immense and elaborate stained-glass ceiling by French artisan Jacques Grüber. Come for the beautiful lobby and stay for a drink at La Terraza, the rooftop bar overlooking the Zócalo.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at La Rifa Chocolateria

You’ll find plenty of chocolate shops in Mexico City, but we recommend heading straight to La Rifa in Juárez. Ingredients are locally and ethically sourced ,with the cacao beans coming from farms in Chiapas and Tabasco. La Rifa's frothy, brewed chocolate drinks can be infused with flavors like cardamom and honey.

Glide Past the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco

About a 45-minute drive south from Centro, Xochimilco is home to a historic system of canals and lakes that once connected most of the settlements in the Valley of Mexico. Rent a colorful trajinera at one of the embarcaderos (docks) and make your way around the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pick up some pulque and elotes out on the water from one of the many floating vendors.

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