Things to Do in Mexico City

If you’re headed to Ciudad de México, do a little planning to make sure you get the most out of this beautiful place! Here are some incredible things to do in Mexico City.

It’s tough to sum up a place like Mexico City! So chock full of culture, art, music, food, and vibrant life.

It’s also tough to make recommendations in such a massive and incredble place. But while we were traveling there with our kids, ages nine and seven, we definitely found some favorites and some things that were particularly great for families.

Psst — before you get the recommendations, be sure to sign up below for my VIP group. I send these folks my very best travel tips and family ideas!

Historical Mexico City

Mexico City, known often as CDMX, has a history that’s absolutely fascinating.

From the Aztec culture, to the conquistadors, to the wars for independence, there is so much rich history to learn about and see pieces of in person.

Before you go, it feels very important to do a little research and have a basic knowledge of the history of how the city came to be.

Then, while you’re there, seeing those pieces of history (like Aztec ruins or colonial castles) will have so much more depth of meaning.

I recommend doing some learning about any place that you travel, really! And if you’re looking for other great destinations for families, I’ve gathered some of my favorites below:

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Where to Stay with a Family in Mexico City

Your experience in Mexico City will definitely be colored by the part of town that you stay in.

The city is sprawling, and each different neighborhood has a distinct feel.

If you’re traveling with a family, I highly recommend staying in La Condesa or Roma Norte.

These two neighborhoods both feel very welcoming and vibrant, with walkable streets and plenty to do.

You’ll find plenty of restaurants and shopping, along with city parks and things to do.

Getting Around Mexico City

One word: Uber.

Yes, it will be more expensive than public transportation — but actually, not by much!

It’s also extremely reliable and fast, and you can find an Uber just about everywhere.

If you’re concerned about a language barrier or figuring out the public transportation system, Uber is a perfect solution.

Mexico City Museums

The sheer volume of incredible art and culture available to experience in Mexico City is staggering.

You could spend days and days covering all of the museums! But a few of our favorites for family are:

Museo Frida Kahlo

One of our most highly anticipated spots! We have lots of art lovers in our family, so the former home and studio of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera was at the top of our list.

Again, take the time to read up on Frida before you go. A bit of knowledge about her life, art, and work, gives the experience so much incredible context.

The museum and home is so beautiful, colorful, and peaceful.

Castillo de Chapultepec

Visiting the Castillo de Chapultepec was perhaps my favorite thing to do in Mexico City!

Children are free and adults can purchase a ticket at the entrance to the walk up to the castle. Be aware, after you buy a ticket there’s a bit of a steep climb that takes about 10-15 minutes to walk.

But the views from the castle terraces are worth it!

Spend some time going through the rooms and the artwork; there is a lot of history to absorb. There are incredible staircases, archways, and art at every turn.

And then get out onto the terraces and the gardens and just enjoy the incredible views.

I highly recommend arriving as soon as they open; you’ll most likely run into school groups and it’s nice to beat the rush.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palace of Fine Arts is a beautiful building in the Historic Center of Mexico City.

Like many other museums in CDMX, you can gain free entry on certain days of the week. So if you’re on a budget, go on a Sunday!

Fair warning: the free days are often crowded. But again, if you go as soon as the museum opens, you’ll beat the crowd.

The art that we saw here was some of my favorite! You’ll see some of Mexico’s most revered muralists, including Diego Rivera, along with lots of other newer art that our kids were really into.

Parks and More

The public parks in Mexico City are incredible!

We make it a point whenever we’re traveling to work some parks and playgrounds into our experience. I like to let the kids run around, and I love to see how different cities activate their public spaces.

The parks in CDMX are utilized by locals in incredible ways — playgrounds, soccer practices, workouts, dance rehearsals, and so much more.

In Chapultepec Park there’s an incredible zoo that’s completely free to enter. Our kids loved the axolotl exhibit (I had never seen one in real life!), and I couldn’t get enough of the giraffes.

I highly recommend, if you’re traveling with kids, spending time in Chapultepec Park, Parque México, and Parque España.

Histórico Centro

The historic center of CDMX is packed with historical buildings, cathedrals, museums, and more.

This area can be a little chaotic, busy with tourists, and loud with street vendors selling their wares.

But there is also some incredible stuff to see! It’s worth it to see the remains of an Aztec temple, right there in the middle of the central square.

Take a walk through or a tour of the cathedral for some incredible architecture.

I also recommend a walk around and through the House of Tiles.

Shows and Music

Most nights, you can find a concert, musical, or some sort of show to see!

We got some last minute tickets to Blue Man Group at the TelCel theatre, which was a super fun addition to our trip!

Look up Broadway tours or local shows that may be running at local theatres. You can also check out the Palace of Fine arts to get tickets to see the Ballet Folklorico or the symphony.

Food and Shopping in Mexico City

The city is so vast I almost hesitate to make any specific recommendations of shops or restaurants.

But we did have a few standouts that are worth mentioning!

Lardo is an incredible breakfast, with the best indoor-outdoor vibes.

Super solid Italian food and pizza at Pasta Comedia in La Condesa, and the restaurant is run by the most kind and lovely gentleman from France.

Aura Campos Eliseos is a perfect spot for lunch or brunch, in a beautiful chic garden with a menu that can do no wrong. Highly recommend the portobello sandwich.

Henry and Ryan had a life-changing street food experience at Tortas al Fuego on Avenida Sonora.

And finally, an absolutely charming breakfast can be found at Fonda Garufa. Plan to spend a leisurely time just enjoying the music and the birds flying in and out of the open balcony windows.

After you eat, wander through the streets of La Condesa and Roma Norte and stop in just about any shop – there are so many incredible boutiques to find.

Outside Mexico City: Xochimilco and Teotihuacan

There were two adventures outside of the city we were interested in trying: Xochimilco boats, and the Teotihuacan pyramids.

We ended up only having time for the boats, but if you have the time I recommend both!

Take an Uber to Xochimilco, about 45 minutes outside the city. There, you can pay hourly for a trajinero who will guide your boat down the canals while you enjoy the sights and sounds.

You can bring your own food and drinks, and many folks even bring a portable speaker to play some tunes and get a party going on their boat!

We noticed that lots of locals were using the boats for celebrations – birthdays, graduations, and so on. While travelers like us were just enjoying the trip down the canal.

We were there early in the day so it wasn’t crowded, but the later in the day, the busier the water becomes.

You can rent your boats by the hour and stay as long as you like. While you’re traveling through the canals, other boats will pass by and offer to sell you things – drinks, food, toys, souvenirs, even mariachi performances.

Get into the spirit. And make sure to tip your trajinero. It’s hard work.

More to Do in Mexico City

I feel like we could travel to CDMX many more times and still just scratch the surface!

It’s a beautiful city with lovely people and an incredible depth of culture.

I hope you enjoy this vibrant place! xoxo

P.S. Want more Mexico?

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