7 Fun Things To Do in Mexico City: A Complete Guide 

Mexico City is a dynamic metropolis where ancient traditions intersect with the hustle and bustle of modern urban life. From historic landmarks to beautiful neighborhoods, world-class cuisine to bustling nightlife, there is something for everyone here. Read on for inspiration  on some of the most fun things to do in Mexico City to help you plan your visit. 

1) Experience Mexico City’s Hippest Neighborhoods: Condesa and Roma Norte 

Mexico City is the largest city in North America, and the home to over 300 neighborhoods. With such a large city, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and have a hard time knowing where to begin. A great way to have an authentic experience is to explore some of the best neighborhoods that the city has to offer and Roma Norte and Condesa are the perfect places to use as your launch pad. 

Condesa is one of the more modern neighborhoods in Mexico City, boasting lush, tree-lined streets and a distinctly European vibe. It’s a great place to grab a coffee at one of the many trendy cafes like Blend Station and people-watch the hipsters and young professionals who frequent the area. If you’re a dog lover, you will love Condesa because they are EVERYWHERE. Hit up Agua de Ojos for a delicious fresh fruit juice or smoothie. Make sure to stroll through Parque Espana and Parque Mexico to admire the beautiful trees and fountains while you’re there. 

 Roma Norte has a very similar trendy vibe to Condesa, but it’s a little edgier. Located just west of the historic city center, it’s known for its tree-lined streets, cafes, restaurants and cultural scene. Stop for breakfast at Panaderia Rosetta while you’re here – it’s the holy grail of bakeries in Mexico City, with mouth-watering pastries and the best mochas in town. This is also a great place for traditional Mexican brunch offerings – try the chilaquiles at Lalo!

2)Take a hot air balloon ride 

Tell me a more breathtaking way to see a city than from 3000 ft above the ground? I’ll wait…

Sky Balloons is one of the most well-rated hot-air balloon tour companies in Mexico City and a great way to experience this. There are options to choose a private or group balloon tour. A photographer will take photos of you and your group beforehand and you can choose to pay extra for a media package (professional photos and/or videos taken from a drone) but we chose to just take our own. 

As much as I’m not a morning person, this view made the early rising well worth it. I have a fear of heights and was a little apprehensive of how I would feel as we got higher in the air but it was a very gentle and smooth experience and I didn’t feel any nerves! They popped a couple bottles of champagne and did a toast with us before we descended which was a nice touch.

Afterwards we ate a complimentary buffet brunch at the Sky Balloons headquarters, which was delicious! We feasted on everything from chilaquiles with salsa verde and fresh cream to scrambled eggs and sausage and horchata and flan for dessert. 

An extra perk of this tour was visiting a local agave farm and obsidian workshop. We were greeted by Jesus, who was very passionate about his Mexican heritage and a great storyteller. He told us about the importance of agave in Mexican culture with distillation practices beginning back in the early 1500s and let us sample their house made pulque – an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the agave plant. He also explained the history behind obsidian – a naturally formed volcanic glass that was an important part of the culture of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and an integrated part of their rituals and daily life. They use it in their workshop today to make a broad array of decorative and functional items like tools, massagers and ornaments which are available for purchase in their store. 

Pro tip: Be sure to wear layers as it’s quite chilly in the morning, particularly on the balloon ride but once the heat of the sun peaks later in the day you’ll want to wear something lighter.

3) Visit the Teohuatican Pyramids

Teohuatican is known as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids and is home to one of the tallest pyramids in the world – The Pyramid of the Sun. We visited the pyramids as the second half of the tour we took with Sky Balloons but there are many good tour options for just the pyramids, or you can choose to just wander around on your own. After we disembarked from the balloon they drove us about 20 miles away to the historic site of Teohuatican. The pyramids are definitely worth visiting but I might recommend doing this on your own rather than as part of a tour, as we felt that having a couple of hours to walk around the area was too much and we would have preferred to be able to leave when we were finished exploring. 

4) Stroll around the Historic Center

Mexico City’s historic center, also known as the Centro Historico, is a hub of historic architecture, bustling street life, and cultural attractions.  At the heart of the Centro Historico lies the Zocalo, the main square and one of the largest public plazas in the world. Surrounding the square are some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace, which houses Diego Rivera’s famous murals depicting Mexico’s history.

Start your day by enjoying some Mexican hot chocolate at Cafe Don Porfirio which is on the roof of the Sears building. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a view of the city and admire the beautiful architecture of the Palacio de Bellas Artes. 

Walking through the narrow streets of the Centro Historico, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a European city with cobblestoned streets and a melting pot of different architectural styles. You’ll also encounter an endless array of street food vendors serving up tacos, tamales, and other Mexican fare. 

It’s worth stopping at Hotel Gran Ciudad de Mexico while you’re in the area just to see the stunning interior and take photos.

Another great photo opp is at Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles), an 18th-century Baroque palace in Mexico City. It’s distinguished by the bright blue and white tiles Colonial tiles that cover it’s facade.

5) Go to Xochimilco’s Floating Fiesta 

Discover the enchanting canals of Xochimilco burrowed in the southern part of the city. Steeped in history and culture, these ancient waterways offer a glimpse into the region’s pre-Hispanic past. Colorful trajineras, traditional flat-bottomed boats decorated with flowers, glide along the canals, carrying passengers through  floating farms and bustling markets. As you float along the canal, immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere, where mariachi bands play and families and friends gather to celebrate special occasions.

As you approach Xochimilco, you will be bombarded with people trying to sell you on experiences and boat rides. Don’t fall for this trap. Wait until you get there and know the average going rate by asking locals or checking tourism websites before you arrive so that you are prepared to haggle and get a reasonable deal when you arrive. We paid around 1000 MX pesos for 2 hours but the price will vary depending on factors like the size of the boat, and whether it includes additional services like a mariachi band or catering. 

6) Explore Mexico City’s High-End Scene in Polanco

Polanco is Mexico City’s posh and upscale neighborhood known for its high-end boutiques and restaurants.

It even has its own version of Rodeo Drive on Avenida Presidente Masaryk with high-fashion boutiques like Hermes and Fendi so if you’re in the mood to drop some serious cash, this is the place for you!

It’s also where you can find some of Mexico City’s nicest restaurants like Parole and Pujol to name a few. You can expect top-tier service at the restaurants in this area and prices to match. 

For dessert, stop by Que Bo! They specialize in artisanal, handmade chocolates made only with Mexican ingredients. With unique truffle flavors like guava and mango chili, you’ll want to try one of each.

7) Visit Frida Kahlo’s birthplace 

Coyoacán is a charming cobblestoned street neighborhood with a rich history, artistic soul, and relaxed ambiance. It’s the birthplace of renowned painter Frida Kahlo, and her iconic blue house, now a museum, stands as a testament to her life and legacy. You can wander through the carefully maintained home and imagine the space as it was when Frida lived there. You can also take in a few paintings by Kahlo and her husband, Diego Rivera, in addition to other contemporary artists of their era. 

Coyoacán’s central plaza bustles with activity any time of day. It’s full of performers, dancers and families strolling through the park and surrounded by restaurants and cafes. If you’re looking for sit-down meal while you’re here Corazon de Maguey is a great option – get the guacamole and the enchiladas trio. 

Mercado de Coyoacan is one of Mexico City’s most iconic markets. It’s a massive two-story complex with tons of food stalls with authentic Mexican cuisine and souvenirs. It’s a great place to get your fill of tacos and people watch as the locals buy their groceries. Even if you come after the market is closed, there are plenty of stalls serving up delicious food and treats on the streets around the main plaza on the weekend.