What’s the first thing you think about when you hear “Mexico City”? You are probably not thinking about how you want to take your next vacation there. However, you may not know that Mexico City is an incredibly historic city with beautiful spots full of color and culture.
I’m here to share with you 5 amazing spots in Mexico City that might make you want to reconsider your next vacation! I’m speaking from multiple visits to these places and I’m still looking forward to going back!
1. Xochimilco (The Floating Gardens)
This attraction is located in southern Mexico City. These “floating gardens” are a part of the last remnants of a water transport system built by the Aztecs. Visitors and locals can take a ride on the colorful gondola-like boats. Mariachi bands, food vendors, or people selling souvenirs can be found floating along the river. You can also enjoy looking at the haunted island of the Dolls (if you like that sort of thing) along the river as well as shop at the many souvenir shops on land. My family always made sure to get one of the beautiful hand made table cloths each time we went… they make wonderfully unique gifts!
2. Castillo de Chapultepec
Bet you didn’t know there was a castle in Mexico City, did you? Chapultepec is a Nahuatl (the native Aztec language) word meaning “at the grasshoppers’ hill”. The castle built on this sacred hill was once home to Emperor Maximilian I and Empress Carlota. Years later, it was home to every Mexican president until 1939 when it was then turned into the museum we know today.
This castle/museum is full of breathtaking murals that tell the history of Mexico. Part of the castle is set up to show how the Emperor and Empress would have lived as well as the presidents. Take a tour with a tour guide so that you don’t miss any of the fascinating details of this castle’s rich history. We have visited so many times that my dad no longer needed a tour guide when we brought groups of tourists because he could give a thorough and entertaining tour himself!
Chapultepec hill is also no joke. You definitely won’t need to hit the gym on the day you visit the castle. Don’t worry though, the walk is absolutely beautiful with several spots to stop and admire the city.
3. Palacio de Bellas Artes
Bellas Artes is a cultural center that has hosted many notable events in music, theatre, dance, literature, and opera. It is located on the western side of Mexico City’s historic center. The building itself is gorgeous as well as the cultural events that take place there.
The building is surrounded with shops and restaurants that overlook the building. My favorite time to visit Bellas Artes is at night time when you can admire the beautiful lights!
4. Soumaya Museum
This modern building is not only fascinating to look at on the outside, but it contains artwork from all over the world. Much like The Bean in Chicago, you can find many people posing in front of its unique structure for an instagram photo op. The museum is free to the public and has 6 stories of old to new masterpieces.
5. The Pyramids
Probably the most well known attraction are the Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacán. These ancient structures are some of the biggest pyramids in the world. You can actually still climb the pyramid of the Sun which stands at 213 feet. The view from up there is incredible. My advice to you is to take is slow, though. Mexico City sits at 7,382 ft above sea level so the air is a bit thin!
Before you exhaust yourself too much by climbing the pyramid of the Sun, you can take a stroll down the Avenue of the Dead, visit the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (have fun trying to say that one), climb up part of the pyramid of the moon, and walk through the very impressive museum where you can find out all you need to know about the Aztecs. By the way, did you know that they weren’t actually called the Aztecs? They called themselves the Mexica.
Are you looking up plane tickets yet? Believe it or not there are MORE amazing places to visit in Mexico City and I can’t wait to share them with you!
Which of the 5 places are you most interested in visiting? Please let me know!
Photo creds:
@laloromero7
@maarcosky
@cassiesal
@ihillarycapi
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