Disclaimer — I’ve been to Mexico City a few times and still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. There’s a lot to see and do and countless amazing places to eat. I also love that you can eat culinary masterpiece meals for a great price. It’s also one of the top 5 most populated cities in the world. It feels like New York, with different walkable neighborhoods.

So don’t take this as a comprehensive guide – it’s just a starting point.

Here’s a link to my google doc with all the information in this post, which may be easier to reference.

Accommodation

Recommend staying in an AirBNB over a hotel. So many BEAUTIFUL, affordable AirBNB options.

One of my favorite neighborhoods to stay in is probably the Centro area. A lot of walkable restaurants, bars, shops in the area.

Roma Sur and Condesa are also really nice neighborhoods, with walkable spots nearby.

Transportation

Uber readily available. Or can use taxi services.
Don’t need to rent a car.

Attractions

Frida Kahlo Museum

Tues-Sunday 10a-6pm
Recommend buying tickets ahead of time.
Beautiful museum and beautiful lush garden.

Zocalo Square

City square.
In this area, there are a lot of shops, bars, small restaurants. Nice walkable area to explore.

Floating Gardens of Xochimilco [Cho-chi-mill-co]

Ride on boat + boats come by with music, food, drinks, souvenir
BRING CASH. Bring a mini speaker if you want to play your music on the ride.
40 mins south
Daily 8a-9:30p

Chapultepec Castle and Park

Park has peddle boats
National museum of history in same location/nearby

Palacio de Bellas Artes Museum

Fine arts museum (Palace of Fine Arts)
And for nice pictures of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, go to 6th floor cafeteria of Sear’s building across the street.

Monumento a la independencia y paseo de la reforma

Sunday from 7am-2pm. Street is closed, can walk or ride bikes.

Lucha Libre

Mexican professional wrestling
Can book tickets here

Museo Soumaya

Free musuem

Diego Rivera Walking Tour
Museo de Arte Moderno
Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Teotihuacan [Teh-oh-tee-wah-kahn]

1.5 hours from Mexico City
Pyramid ruins
- Pre-COVID you could climb them, but will worth visiting even if you can no longer climb the pyramids.
- 9am-5pm Tues-Sun
- Pack toilet paper/wet wipes
Hot Air Balloons: Balloon Tours of the Pyramids

Here are a few different options: Option 1, Option 2, Option 3

Lunch at La Gruta Restaurant

Restaurant in a CAVE.
Food is just okay, but restaurant is a nice experience, so still recommend. If you’re brave, try the crickets.
Walking distance from pyramids.
Make a reservation or anticipate a long wait.

Grutas Tolantongo

BEAUTIFUL natural hot springs.
Further away, 3.5 hours away.
Haven’t been , but on my must-visit list.

ATV Riding
- We enjoyed this, beautiful views through

Food

Fónico

Great food and cocktails. Get the shrimp taco!
Beautiful moody, dark aesthetics + greenery

Pizza Félix

Cocktails + good food

Temporal Rest
Azul Historico
Contramar
Miralto Rooftop Restaurant and Bar
Tal pan
Limosneros
Anonimo
Blanco Colima
Masala y maíz
Maximo
Porfirio’s
Fifty Mills at the Four Seasons - good for sunday brunch
Fonda Margarita — breakfast

Bit Fancier Dinner Options

El Bacon de Zocolo
- Good food! Mostly modest portions.
- Balcony seating w/ city view. BEAUTIFUL VIEW of the Zocalo at night.
La Hacienda de los Morales
- Modest portions.
- Beautiful inside. Reportedly good last dinner spot.
La Tecla
- Modest portions.
- Reportedly good last dinner spot. Some reviews say food is bland.