An underrated destination, Mexico City should be added to your bucket list. While many people solely think about Mexico through the sepia filter used in ‘90s movies about the country, Mexico City is a modern wonder and it’s time to see it filter-free. Many people come to Mexico City for the food and they are not wrong—the dining in the city is divine, and from street food to five-star dining, you’ll find everything you want here.

Zócalo
Zócalo, the largest plaza in Latin America, is filled on an average day, with vendors, street entertainers, and protestors. Bordered on one side by the National Palace (where the President of Mexico lives), the Zócalo is the location of many large public gatherings in town. Even without an event, it’s worth a visit to see the gilded Metropolitan Cathedral and Templo Mayor, a museum on the site of a Mexican ruin. The Zócalo is in the heart of Centro Historico, home to most of Mexico City’s historic sites.

Eat Like a Local
Eat Like a Local is a locally owned and operated, all-female tour company that promotes responsible tourism while introducing you to the most amazing street food in the city. The Mexican Food 101 Tour is an opportunity to visit local markets and learn not only about the food, and the history of the markets but also about the families who work there and live in the surrounding neighborhoods. Delicious food, Mexico City history, and a company that supports the local community—it’s a win-win-win. If a food tour isn’t for you, consider their mezcal tour.


Museo Frida Kahlo
One of the most popular museums in the city, Frida Kahlo’s family home, also known as Casa Azul, is a must-see in Mexico City. The museum highlights the home as it was when she lived there with her husband, Diego Rivera, and temporary exhibits to provide more context about Kahlo’s life. Of note, a ticket to Museo Frida Kahlo also includes free entrance to Anahuacalli Museum, designed by Diego Rivera for his pre-Hispanic art collection.

Xochimilco
The Floating Gardens of Xochimilco are not to be missed. South of the city, it consists of a maze of canals among plant nurseries filled with brightly painted floating trajineras (barges) that turn into party boats every day of the week. The canals come to life with the sound of families and friends, mariachi bands, and food vendors. You can rent a barge for an hour or two and have your own party. Bring food and drinks with you, buy them on the docks, or from the floating vendors on the water.

Teotihuacan

About 25 miles outside of Mexico City sit the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon on a site known as Teotihuacan. These Mesoamerican pyramids are the most significant historic sites in the area. Make sure that your visit to Mexico City includes a day dedicated to walking down the Avenue of the Dead, visiting the pyramids, and stopping in the onsite museum. Try to get there early, as the sun seems to pay special attention to the pyramid bearing its name, and there is no shade on site.

Mercados
A visit to Mexico City requires a visit to some of the local markets. The variety of mercados will give something for everyone. There are permanent markets like Jamaica, the flower market, or La Merced and Medellin which have mostly groceries, home goods, and restaurant stalls. There are also weekly markets, like Bazaar Sabado, a craft market open every Saturday, and most neighborhoods have local weekly markets with food and other home necessities. You should also check out pop-up craft markets like Bazar Resiliente or Zona Zero for handmade goodies to tuck in your luggage before you head home.

Soumaya

Museo Soumaya is one of the most photographed buildings in the city. On the outside, Soumaya is a must-capture for Instagrammers in the city. On the inside, it’s filled with must-see European and Mexican art. The Soumaya collection is actually a museum in multiple buildings in different parts of the city, but the location in Plaza Carso is the newest and most visited. Entrance is free thanks to the billionaire creator of the museum, and the exhibits are always worth a visit.


El Moro Churreria

No visit to Mexico City would be complete without a visit to El Moro Churreria. Churros with dips created from different types of chocolate are their specialty. El Morro is a Mexico City chain churreria, and with the crisp blue and white tiles, and clean decor, most of the locations look like a chain. But if you’re up for a little adventure, skip the newer El Moros and find your way to the Historic Center and visit the original churreria, housed in the same location since 1935.

Bellas Artes

Palacio de Bellas Artes, the palace of fine arts, is a museum and exhibition space a short walk from both Centro Historico and Mexico City’s Chinatown. With walls lined with Diego Rivera and Siqueiros murals, if you only have time to visit one museum in town, this is the one. Bellas Artes is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside, and to grab a great picture of the building, visit the coffee shop on the eighth floor of the Sears directly across Avenue Juarez.


Bosque de Chapultepec

Bosque de Chapultepec (commonly called Chapultepec Park) is considered the lungs of Mexico City. It houses a castle, a zoo, a cultural center, multiple lakes, vendors, museums, presidential palaces, and pretty much anything you could want in a city. At 1,695 acres, you can spend days here wandering around, but your best bet is to make a list of what you want to see the most and head to those spots.