MEXICO CITY ATRACTIONS

Mexico City boasts a perplexing mosaic of attractions, from world-class museums and cultural centers, buildings from the times of the Viceroyalty, from the 19th Century and of more contemporary design, to archeological sites.

Mexico City Historic Center

Mexico City’s historic center alone displays a universe of human, artistic and monumental character, with over 78 gardens and plazas, 743 historic and cultural buildings and all sorts of museums and galleries. The magnificence of the constructions can deceive you to think that you have come to a European metropolis.

The Palacio Nacional (National Palace), which is the present seat of the Mexican government, is located on the Zocalo Plaza’s eastern side. Spanish colonial authorities began building the palace in the late 17th century to replace the residence of the Spanish viceroy and conqueror Hernan Cortes.

The Metropolitan Cathedral, whose vestry represents a synthesis of art forms of New Spain, is located on the northern side of the Zocalo. Penetrating its imposing baroque and neoclassical facade, the visitor enters the ethereal half-light of this hallowed shrine, with its five separate naves, side chapels and sacred religious icons.

Slightly to the west of the Zocalo in the heart of the city's commercial and shopping district is the Alameda, a park of tree-lined walks laid out in 1592. The park is bordered on the east by the stunning 19th-century Palace of Fine Arts with its theater and murals.

Mexico City: Chapultepec Zone

Farther to the west is the Paseo de la Reforma, an elegant, tree-lined boulevard marked by monuments honoring Mexico's past. These monuments include landmarks such as the "Angel of the Independence, " a symbol of Mexico's national identity, Cuauhtemoc Memorial, dedicated to the last Aztec Emperor, and the statue of Diana Cazadora (Diane The Hunter).

On Reforma Avenue you can also come across The National Auditorium in the artistic and cultural section of Chapultepec Park, which is also home for other theaters including the El Granero, Orientacion and El Bosque. The tree-filled Chapultepec Park features extensive recreational facilities including a lake, fountains, museums, a zoo and the Chapultepec Castle.

The construction of the Chapultepec Castle began in 1783. Positioned on the park's highest elevation, the castle functioned as a fortress during colonial times. It once served as the presidential residence, was the site of an important battle during the American invasion in 1847 and now houses the National Museum of History, which includes murals by 20th-century Mexican painter Juan O'Gorman. Down at the entrance of the castle limits stands the Memorial to Infant Heroes, a memorial for those who fought in the battle of 1947.

Los Pinos, the official residence and working offices of the President, is also on the grounds but is not open to the general public.

Chapultepec Park contains several museums; the most important is the National Museum of Anthropology. Other museums include Mexico's Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Natural History, Snail Museum, Technology Museum, Papalote, which is a children’s interactive museum, and the Mexico City Zoo.

Northern Mexico City

Mexico City's major north-south artery is the Avenida Insurgentes, which stretches 21 miles. Avenida Insurgentes crosses the Paseo de la Reforma just north of the tourist area known as the Zona Rosa ("Pink Zone"). Within this neighborhood, you will find many of the principal hotels, restaurants, fashion stores and boutiques which cater to the tourist trade.

Mexico's leading religious shrine, the Basilica de Guadalupe, is located north of the city. This area marks the site of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to an indigenous peasant in 1531. The Virgin of Guadalupe, as the apparition came to be called, is the patron saint of Mexico and revered by millions.

Various stages of the city's growth can be seen southward along Avenida Insurgentes. In Colonia Juarez, just south of the Paseo de la Reforma, elegant 19th-century mansions from the era of Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz can be appreciated.

Mexico City: The National Autonomous University

At the southern edge of the city, the National Autonomous University of Mexico straddles the Avenida Insurgentes. On the western part of the campus is the 60,000-seat Mexico 68 Olympic Stadium, which was the site of the 1968 Olympic Games. East of Avenida Insurgentes is the university's main library. The building and its famous tile mosaic exterior were designed by Juan O'Gorman. Three-dimensional murals by Diego Rivera adorn the rectory on the main campus slightly farther to the east. There are a number of on-campus museums including the Universum and the Science and Arts Museum. In addition, the University’s Cultural Center harbors a number of theaters, film halls and concert halls.

Mexico City Museums

Today, with an abundance of museums, Mexico City is considered to be one of the world's most important museum destinations. Some of the most important historical, architectural, social and cultural museums include the Anthropology Museum, which is the largest in America, the Cathedral Museum, which shows one of the most important religious art exhibits in the world, and the Franz Mayer Museum, which houses excellent samples of fine arts.

Mexico City: Coyoacan

Coyoacan is a district of deep-rooted traditions whose cultural and historic value cannot be overstated. The district has virtually everything to offer its visitors including museums, churches, buildings, shops, entertainment halls, squares, gardens and streets of all types of pavement.

Among the main attractions of Coyoacan are the Leon Trotsky House and Museum, the Coyoacan Nurseries, the Frida Kahlo Museum, the Centenary Garden, the Jesus Reyes Heroles Cultural House, the San Juan Bautista Parish and former convent as well as the Conchita Square.

A tour of San Angel is a gratifying experience where picturesque streets lined with colonial houses and churches can be visited. San Angel is filled with a variety of restaurants and bars which will surely please you.

Cuicuilco, probably one of the earliest ceremonial centers established in the Valley of Mexico, is believed to have influenced peoples throughout the valley. Atop the base, there once stood a temple. After the eruption of the Xitle Volcano, which covered the whole of the architectural complex with lava, the site was abandoned.

Mexico City: Xochimilco

A visit to Xochimilco and its “chinampas” (floating gardens) is like taking a ride to the past to visit a pre-Hispanic city. In Nahuatl language, Xochimilco means flower land. While in Xochimilco, be sure to visit Santa Cruz Acalpixca, where you will have an opportunity to see one of the Mexica bas reliefs, an archaeological find discovered during the excavations of Xochimilco. Also in Xochimilco is the Dolores Olmedo Museum which is housed in a 16th century estate surrounded by expansive gardens. On exhibit are Mexican handicrafts as well as the best works of one of Mexico’s famous artists, Diego Rivera.

Teotihuacan

One and a half hours away located in the state of Mexico is the antique religious city of Teotihuacan, which was the capital of an ancient pre-Aztec civilization. Two pyramids face each other on a north-south axis and are known as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. Massive in size and height, they provide an extraordinary view of the surrounding region.

Mexico City Festivities

One of Mexico City's main festivities happens on December 12, which is the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. On this day, one of the world's largest annual gatherings takes place.

Corpus Christi is another important religious festival during which a mass is held at the Cathedral located in the Zocalo, in the main downtown area. A procession of children dressed in traditional Mexican Indian attire and carrying huacales (gourds) full of fruit as well as farming implements is performed during the mass.

Mexico's main independence celebrations are also held in the Zocalo's Constitutional Square. The Nation's current president makes the Independence Cry on September 15 at midnight and the following day a colorful parade is held.

A show called the National Mole Show is held in Milpa Alta in the San Pedro Actopan community during the first 15 days of October.

The main celebration of Xochimilco is the Niñopa or Niñopan Day (Day of the Town's Holy Child). Each year, the image of this child is entrusted to someone who then organizes the Christmas, Epiphany and Candelaria celebrations.