Mexico City: Must-Do Experiences Beyond the Guidebook

Mexico City: Must-Do Experiences Beyond the Guidebook

In this episode, Ashleigh and Christopher share the standout moments from their Mexico City trip—what was absolutely worth it, what surprised them, and what they’d do differently next time.

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Centro Histórico The city’s historic core is packed with must-see sites like the Zócalo, Templo Mayor, the Cathedral, and Diego Rivera’s murals. It’s easy to explore on foot, even from neighborhoods a bit farther out like Reforma.

Anthropology Museum This museum is essential for understanding Mexico’s pre-Hispanic cultures. We booked a guided tour, which made a huge difference in helping us connect with what we were seeing. 

Diego Rivera’s Murals Seeing Rivera’s art at Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Museo Mural Diego Rivera gave us a visual crash course in Mexican history and revolution. To check out the tour we took, click here.

Chapultepec Park A massive park with museums, a zoo, and even a castle. It’s a peaceful place to escape the bustle and spend a few unhurried hours.

Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul Visiting the Blue House in Coyoacán helped us understand Frida’s art and life in a more personal way. Make sure to get tickets in advance—it’s popular for a reason. Consider a guided tour if you want to dig deeper into Frida's life.

Sunrise Kayaking in Xochimilco One of our most memorable experiences. Paddling through early-morning canals past floating farms and birds was peaceful and unforgettable. For more info on this tour, click here.

Trip Planning Tips Plan for at least 3–4 full days. Staying in more than one neighborhood adds variety. Big breakfasts and late dinners worked better for us than three structured meals. Give yourself time to slow down. 

We highly recommend checking out tours from Pies Descalzos!

What We’d Do Differently We’d allow more time at Templo Mayor, build in time to relax in Roma Norte, and be better prepared for early mornings, especially when it comes to food and coffee.

Wine Break We took a pause with a bottle of Auxerrois from Chateau Fontaine in Northern Michigan. 

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