15 Best Things to Do in Mexico City: A Guide for First-Time Visitors
Mexico City is one of the most exciting cities in the world. From ancient ruins and world-famous museums to incredible street food and trendy rooftop bars, there is no shortage of things to do in Mexico City.
Whether you’re planning a long weekend, a girls’ trip, or a solo adventure, these are the best things to do in Mexico City for first-time visitors.
Planning your trip? Don’t miss my Complete Mexico City Travel Guide covering where to stay, safety tips, transportation, what to wear, and more.
1. VISIT THE FRIDA KAHLO MUSEUM
No trip to Mexico City is complete without visiting the iconic Blue House, where artist Frida Kahlo lived for much of her life.
Located in the charming neighborhood of Coyoacán, make sure you leave plenty of time to Uber to this neighborhood as there will be traffic. The museum offers a fascinating look into Frida’s life, artwork, and not to mention, a great place to take pictures.
Book Ahead Here: Tickets often sell out weeks in advance. I was unable to go because of this so make sure to plan ahead!
2. EXPLORE COYOACAN
Even if you are not able to visit the museum, Coyoacán is still worth exploring.
This colorful neighborhood feels worlds away from the bustling city center and is filled with cobblestone streets, artisan markets, cafes, and local restaurants.
Grab a coffee, wander through the squares during the day, and go to dinner at one of the many best restaurants in CDMX. Make a reservation at Los Danzantes or Corazón de Maguey.
You could also book a food tour - this will give you an entire tour of all the different dishes you can try in Coyoacan. There’s also an option to add on a visit to the Frida Kahlo museum.
3. TAKE A HOT AIR BALLOON OVER TEOTIHUACAN
One of the most popular things to do in Mexico City is visiting the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacán. I did not get the opportunity to do this but have had many friends do it and all come back with rave reviews. It isn’t the cheapest activity, but it’s absolutely worth the splurge.
Located about an hour outside the city, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features the Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon, and some of Mexico’s most impressive archaeological ruins. It does require a 4 AM wake-up call though so make sure you’re responsible the night before.
This tour will take you in a hot air balloon ride over the Teotihuacan Pyramids with optional transportation and guided cultural experiences, including site tours, local traditions, and a visit to the Guadalupe Shrine.
4. VISIT CHAPULTEPEC CASTLE & THE PARK
Chapultepec Park is one of the largest urban parks in the world and serves as the city’s green heart.
Inside you’ll find:
Chapultepec Castle
The National Museum of Anthropology
Walking trails
Lakes and gardens
You could easily spend an entire day here walking around and exploring. The castle was literally my favorite part - it’s gorgeous! I could’ve spent hours there if I didn’t have to catch a flight.
To visit the park, you’ll need to follow the paved uphill path to the top of the hill. Tickets need to purchased before you get to the top, in person, or they will not let you inside. Guided tours are available but they aren’t really needed IMO.
5. VISIT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Speaking of…. if you only visit one museum in Mexico City, make it this one. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best museums in Latin America.
The National Museum of Anthropology houses some of Mexico’s most important artifacts, including the famous Aztec Sun Stone.
If you are really into history, you should book a guided tour so you can learn through a more engaging experience!
6. EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH CDMX
Mexico City is one of the best food cities in the world (right after Paris). And that’s saying A LOT. There are so many different food influences here.
Some foods you absolutely need to try:
Tacos al pastor
Chilaquiles
Elote
Tamales
Mole
Mezcal cocktails
I think one of the best ways to experience the city’s food culture is through a guided food tour. It not only gives you insight to the cities most well-known dishes, it also gives you the lay of the land. And a local guide who will most definitely have some hidden gem restaurant recommendations.
Food Tours to Book:
Mexico City Street Food Tour - I loved this tour! We had so many stops and our tour was super knowledgeable.
Taco Tour - Includes a Michelin star taco stop. Perfect if you want to hit all the taco stops in one fair swoop.
Market Food Experience - This will take you to the markets and give you a real authentic local taste of CDMX.
There is also no shortage of some of the best restaurants in the world. Check out my blog post on everywhere I ate in Mexico City here.
7. VINTAGE SHOPPING IN ROMA NORTE
Roma Norte is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Mexico City. So if you love fashion (like me), you need to make some time for vintage shopping in Roma Norte. It’s full of trendy boutiques, rare finds at affordable prices, and very cool stores. It’s really a great place to find unique pieces at a low price that you won’t get in the states.
Where to Shop:
Vintage Hoe
Goodbye Folk
Loose Blues
Roma Vintage
LOBO Vintage
Bazar Fusion
This is also one of the best areas to stay if it’s your first visit. It’s easy to walk wherever you need to go.
8. DAY TRIP TO THE HOT SPRINGS
This is one of the most popular hot springs! It’s truly an insane beauty of thermal pools built into the mountainside. I did not get the chance to visit while I was on my trip but I met a few girls who did and said it was worth it.
Keep in mind that this will require an early wake up time and long travel day, but it’s well worth it. Joining a guided tour is the best option so you can have them coordinate the transportation since it is a few hours away from the city.
This guided tour will provide you transportation there and back and includes lunch.
9. ATTEND LUCHA LIBRE
This is definitely one of the most unique experiences in Mexico City. Personally, it’s very much a “boy” thing to do but it’s iconic to the locals. This is like wrestling but with over-the-top characters and colorful outfits. It’s definitely the epitome of entertainment.
Matches are on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
You can buy tickets online beforehand just to the show. Or you can book a guided tour that will give you a tequila tasting, some insight into the historical background of the sport, and a more in-depth experience.
10. FLOAT THROUGH XOCHIMILCO
One of the most iconic experiences in Mexico is taking a trajinera ride through the colorful canals of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These brightly painted boats take you through ancient waterways while mariachi bands perform, vendors sells snacks and drinks, and groups/families gather to celebrate special occasions. I recommend going during the week if you want it to be a quieter scene. We saw tons of bachelor/bachelorette parties celebrating! On our tour, we learned how to make micheladas and learned about the history of the canals.
I really enjoyed it and it’s a great experience for big groups or even if you’re traveling solo.
11. VISIT PALACIO DE BELLAS ARTES
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Mexico City, the Palacio de Bellas Artes is famous for its stunning architecture and cultural performances. It hosts all kinds of events like concerts, ballet, art exhibits, and opera performances throughout the year. If you’re interested in the schedule, you can find it here.
Even if you don’t attend a show, the building itself is worth seeing.
12. GO TO THE BEST COCKTAIL BARS IN THE WORLD
In addition to food, Mexico City has quickly become one of the best cocktail destinations in the world with several bars appearing on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. There’s hidden speakeasies, designated spirit bars, lounges and rooftops, and even underground nightclubs.
I highly recommend taking yourself on a cocktail crawl to try all the famous spots and delicious cocktails CDMX has to offer. The cocktails here are some of the most creative, unique drinks I have ever seen.
Here are some of the most popular bars:
Handshake Bar
Hanky Panky
Baltra Bar
Tlecan
Licorería Limantour
Bar Mauro
13. TAKE A COOKING CLASS
Want to bring a piece of Mexico home? A cooking class is always such a fun experience! It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the amazing food culture here. From cooking classes to cocktail classes, it really a fun learning experience.
Learn how to make:
Salsa
Tortillas
Mole
Traditional Mexican dishes
There are an endless amount of different kind of cooking classes you can take, here are some recommendations:
14. VISIT THIS GORGEOUS LIBRARY
Visit one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. This was on my list but I ran out of time on my trip. The Biblioteca Vasconcelos is architecturally a masterpiece. It’s a great place to escape the heat, have a photoshoot, charge your phone, or even do some work if you are working remotely.
And the best part? The entry is free!!
15. SHOP AT THE MARKETS
There’s an endless amount of markets in Mexico City and I highly recommend checking them out. Especially if you are traveling on a budget because you will find some amazing food for good deals here.
Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela is the go-to for high-quality souvenirs, authentic crafts, textiles, and pottery from across Mexico
Mercado de San Juan is a legendary food destination known for exotic meats, gourmet cheeses, and rare ingredients popular with local chefs
Mercado de Jamaica is a massive, colorful flower market, especially stunning during Day of the Dead
La Lagunilla is famous for its Sunday flea market filled with antiques, vintage clothing, and records
Mercado Medellín in Colonia Roma is perfect for everyday groceries, Latin American specialties, and grabbing a cheap, traditional meal at one of its fondas.
It’s a great place to find the perfect souvenir too!
Mexico City Travel Essentials
Before your trip, don’t forget:
Portable Charger
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Crossbody Travel Bag
Universal Travel Adapter
Final Thoughts
Mexico City is one of those destinations that exceeds expectations. Between the incredible food scene, rich history, vibrant neighborhoods, and endless cultural attractions, it’s easy to see why travelers return again and again.
Whether you’re exploring ancient pyramids, sipping cocktails on a rooftop, or eating your weight in tacos al pastor, Mexico City offers something for every type of traveler.
For more tips, check out my Complete Mexico City Travel Guide covering safety, transportation, where to stay, currency, tipping, and everything else you need to know before visiting.
