Mexico City is one of my favorite places to visit in the world and without my good friend Stacey L Tokunaga moving down there, I may never have realized just how cool this city is. To put your finger on exactly what there is to love about Mexico City is not easy, it is a city which blends old and new, it is a vibrant and at times chaotic city and it is packed with things to do and places to see. No matter whether your are looking for a traditional Mexican experience or something a little more modern, this is a city which really delivers. Stacey has taken me all over this city during my time there and these are what I would consider the ‘must do’ experiences and attractions.
Eat Tacos
You can’t leave Mexico City before you have tried the staple Mexican meal, tacos. Throughout the city there are restaurants and vendors selling these beautiful little snacks and there is a massive range of fillings to choose from. You can eat pork, beef, fish, sausage and lamb tacos, all cooked in different ways, and you’ll even find a number of options for vegan tacos.
Visit Xochimilco
Something many don’t know is that Mexico City was built on the dried beds of two lakes and in the south of the city there is an expansive canal network to explore. This place is called Xochimilco and it makes for a greta afternoon out. They have these canal boats called Traijineras which are all beautifully decorated and can fit about 25 people. You can hire the entire boat or head off with others on the boats to explore some of sights you’ll see around the canal.
Anthropology Museum
Mexico has more museums than any other capital city in the world and the most famous of them all is the Anthropology Museum, close to Chapultepec Park. This museum features thousands of artifacts from the ancient civilizations which once called Mexico home and they have the largest collection of meso-american pieces in the world. Expect to spend around 3-4 hours here as you learn about the history of these civilizations and the huge impact which they made on the world, from astronomy to math, physics to foods, you’ll learn a whole lot more about Mexico than you can think of.
Eat at the Torre Latino
The Zocalo district in Mexico City is the historic center of the capital and there is much to see and enjoy here, including the Palacio de Bellas Artes, a gorgeous theater situated here. To get the most out of this, head up to the 42nd floor of the Torre Latino for some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the city. The food up there is pretty good too and if you are worried about earthquakes then don’t be, even in the massive quake of 1985 which decimated the city, the Torre Latino stood tall and the only damage reported was a broken window!
