Must Do Mexico City: 16 Can’t Miss Experiences in CDMX
Before going to Mexico City, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I heard from so many other travel bloggers that CDMX (Ciudad de Mexico) was one of their all-time favorite destinations but I didn’t understand why.
Let me tell you, I’ve seen the light on CDMX. The food, culture, history, art, and magic of this city are unforgettable. CDMX is a feast for the senses that I could spend a lifetime exploring. But if you (like me) only have a few days to see Mexico City, it can be hard to know where to start.
Well, we’ve all got to start somewhere. In this post we will look at the must do Mexico City experiences. There are the 16 can’t miss sights, activities, and (of course) eats of CDMX. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
1. Eat a Taco
As you research Mexico City, you will find tons of lists of the best tacos in CDMX. There are so many options that you might feel overwhelmed. Just remember, you can’t have too many tacos in Mexico City.
The first taco stand I visited in CDMX was Los Cocuyos (Calle de Bolívar 57, Centro Histórico de la Ciudad). This unassuming stand has been serving delicious tacos for more than 50-years. The meat is served from a bubbling vat that might make your stomach churn at first. Allow yourself to be a bit adventurous and order the eye, brain, or head tacos. Or (like me), opt for the campechano tacos, which include sausage and a little bit of everything else. Trust me (and Anthony Bourdain who also stopped here), this place is fantastic.
2. Eat ANOTHER Taco
Yes, number two on my list another taco. But seriously, you can’t have too many tacos in Mexico City. You have so many options. One piece of advice I read before going to CDMX was if you see a crowd of professionals at a taco stand, it is probably a safe bet as they don’t have time to be sick! I was a bit nervous about food poisoning but I didn’t have any issues on the trip.
So, a few additional taco options you should check out are:
- Molino Pujol– This tortilla stand is owned by celebrity chef Enrique Olvera. If you don’t want to shell out the money for Pujol you can stop by here to sample some of Enrique’s delicious creations (like a fried avocado taco served in a blue corn tortilla with a pressed hoja santa leaf).
- El Habanerito– I visited this taco shop on two separate tours of Mexico City. Both visits were fantastic. Here you can sample a selection of habanero sauces to spice up your tacos.
- El Auténtico Pato Manila– Duck tacos might not be the first thing that comes to your mind for CDMX, but these Asian-influenced tacos are a can’t miss.
3. Attend a Lucha Libre Match
I know I said I didn’t know what to expect from Mexico City in general. Well, I really didn’t know what to expect from a Lucha Libre match. Not gonna lie, my first introduction to Lucha Libre was from the Jack Black movie, Nacho Libre. I sort of wanted to experience Lucha Libre, but I didn’t want to have a made-for-tourists experience. But, I also didn’t know how to go to a match on my own. Plus, I’ve never even been to a wrestling match in the US!
So, I opted for an Airbnb Lucha Libre Experience. This was the perfect way to attend the match. Our local guide met us at El Habanerito and gave us a deep dive into the history and tradition of Lucha Libre. We learned about the masks, the “good guys” and “bad guys” and the curse words we could expect to hear. Once at the match, I understood that this was a colorful and impressive telenovela come to life. It was a unique experience that you won’t want to miss. The main arena in CDMX, Arena Mexico, hosts matches each Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday night.
4. Sip Hot Chocolate in a Sears
If you are thinking, “Sears still exists?!” don’t worry, I had that same thought too. This might seem like a random suggestion and unworthy of the 4th spot on this list but trust me, it is a must do Mexico City experience!
This specific Sears (Av. Juárez 14, Colonia Centro, Centro) happens to sit right across from the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes. Step into the Sears and take an elevator to the 8th floor where you will find the Don Porfirio Cafe. You can sit on the outdoor patio and sip on a delicious Mexican hot chocolate while enjoying one of the best views in the city.
5. Explore La Roma
La Roma (the neighborhood that inspired the Oscar Award-winning movie Roma) is now one of Mexico City’s trendiest neighborhoods. This leafy neighborhood is filled with cafes, restaurants, and colorful houses. I stayed in an Airbnb in Roma Norte which was perfect! It is a safe neighborhood that is easy to navigate. Even if you don’t stay here, spend some time strolling through CDMX’s hipster district.
6. Enjoy the Benefits of Pulque
Pulque is a milky alcoholic drink made from the fermented sap of agave plants. This drink was once reserved for Aztec priests but can now be enjoyed in pulquerías around the city. This drink has a low alcohol content and is rich in vitamins, probiotics, and iron so it is said to offer health benefits. I tried strawberry and oatmeal-flavored pulque in the iconic La Hija de los Apaches bar. You can also enjoy an unflavored version (which was my favorite).
7. Soak in the Views from Bosque de Chapultepec
Bosque de Chapultepec is a massive park that is twice the size of NYC‘s Central Park. This park is filled with museums, an amusement park, and plenty of natural areas. Climb to the top of Chapultepec Hill for one of the best views over the city. At the top of this hill, you will find the Chapultepec Castle. Emperor Maximilian of Hapsburg and his wife Empress Carlota lived in this castle and it was later used as the presidential residence. Today, you will find the Museo Nacional de la Historia in the castle.
8. Learn about Tenochtitlan at Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor was an unexpected highlight of my trip to CDMX. Located in the Centro Historico, you will find the ruins of Templo Mayor, which served as a major religious center for the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán. When the Spanish arrived, they destroyed the temple to build a massive cathedral. Excavations uncovered the ruins, which you can now walkthrough. Inside the museum, you can see hundreds of artifacts that were discovered at the site.
If you plan to visit Teotihuacan, I suggest visiting this museum first. Although Teotihuacan and Tenochtitlan are different cities, this museum helped me get a better picture of religious and daily life in Mesoamerica. Plus, unlike some of the other museums in the city, this one offers a decent amount of English signage which was very helpful!
9. Take Pictures in Zócalo
Zócalo is the main plaza in CDMX. This site was an important gathering point for the Aztecs when the city was known as Tenochtitlan. When the Spanish arrived, they built the Metropolitan Cathedral and Palacio Nacional over the city’s Aztec buildings. Today this plaza remains a significant gathering point and it is often used for festivals and national events.
I made Zócalo one of my first stops in the city so I could take in its impressive size and beautiful architecture. This is very close to Templo Mayor so you could easily combine these two stops.
10. Do a Mezcal Tasting
You might notice that I haven’t mentioned tequila on this list. Personally, I prefer mezcal and you will find this smoky liquor all over CDMX. This drink is made from agave and can be sipped on its own or enjoyed in a cocktail. If you want to learn more about mezcal and sample a few varieties, consider joining a mezcal tasting (like this one from Airbnb Experiences). Even without a tour, you can easily find mezcal at most bars and restaurants across the city.
11. Go for a Bike Ride
Cycling is a great way to take in the sights of Mexico City. This city is pretty bike-friendly and you will find bike lanes and bike rentals around the main areas of the city. If you are a bit hesitant to ride on the roads of this major city, sign up for a tour. I took a bike & taco tour of La Roma and Condesa which was perfect. Our guide led us through the neighborhoods and I felt very safe following his lead as we snaked our way through traffic. Plus, biking helped me feel a bit better about all of the tacos I consumed during my trip.
12. Indulge with Some Churros
You knew there had to be some sort of sweets on this list! Churrería El Moro originally opened in 1935 and now offers multiple locations around the city (including a 24/7 outpost in Centro Historico). I fell in love with churros and chocolate in Madrid and knew I had to try the Mexican version. These old-school churros are pretty similar to the ones I tried in Madrid but I opted for Mexican chocolate (instead of Spanish) which is lighter and not as great for dipping. But, this chocolate was a nice drink to sip as I munched on the crispy churros!
13. Wander through the Museo Nacional de Antropología
Unless you can devote a full day, you likely won’t get through the entire Museo Nacional de Antropología. This is Mexico’s largest and most visited museum. It contains an impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. Here you can learn more about the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations (among others).
This is also a great place to visit before exploring Teotihuacan. One exhibit is dedicated to this city and you can learn more about this site before visiting in person. Heads up, the signs in this museum are pretty much exclusively in Spanish.
14. Treat Yourself to Nieve
Another sweet? Of course! Nieve is a water-based ice cream made with fresh fruit. It tastes similar to sorbet and is very refreshing. I tried nieve at Nevería Roxy in Condesa. This charming soda fountain has been operating since the 1940s. I tried the strawberry nieve which was light and delicious!
15. Get Mesmerized by Frida Kahlo’s House
Frida Kahlo’s house is only this far down on my list in a “save the best for last” fashion. La Casa Azul was one of the first must do Mexico City experiences I added to my itinerary. Frida Kahlo spent a significant portion of her life in this house. She was born here, grew up here, lived here with Diego Rivera, and eventually died here. The house is peaceful, vibrant, and everything you would expect from Frida Kahlo’s house.
You can purchase tickets online (to avoid the legendary 2-hour waits to buy tickets onsite). Once inside, you can purchase a pass to take pictures plus an audio guide. As you explore the house you will see many of Frida’s paintings and a few of Diego Rivera’s. You can see her paints, easel, and her bedroom. This was an unforgettable experience I’d recommended to anyone, even if you aren’t a huge art person.
16. Take a Day Trip to Teotihuacan
Yes, this is a list of must do Mexico City experiences, but if you have time you should try to spend half a day outside of Mexico City. This ancient Mesoamerican city is only about 1.5 hours outside of the city. Here you can climb to the top of two temples and get a better understanding of Mesoamerican culture and history.
Teotihuacan was an extremely important city in pre-Columbian Americas. At its height, it had a population of 125,000 people and was the 6th largest city in the world at the time. The origins of Teotihuacan are somewhat of a mystery, but it is estimated that the city lasted from at least 100 BC to 550 AD.
You could do this trip on your own, but I suggest taking a guided tour to eliminate your stress. You can find a few tours on Airbnb Experiences.
I hope you enjoyed my Must Do Mexico City Experiences List! What are you most looking forward to?
Looking for more? Check out this post:
How to Buy Frida Kahlo Museum Tickets + Everything Else You Need to Know Before Visiting Casa Azul
How to Spend 3 Days in Mexico City
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