Dusk to Dawn in North America’s Largest City
Mexico City is bursting with so many different things to see and do, but if you only have one day to spend in the city, narrowing down all of your options can be quite tough. To make your life easier, this itinerary is perfect for those who only have a day to spare, and showcases some of the finest landmarks and sights that the city has to offer.
El Paseo de la Reforma
Begin your day in Mexico City at El Paseo de la Reforma, which is a famous avenue that sports many European influences. It begins at the city center, and runs all the way to the Chapultepec Castle, with several cultural highlights along the way, from the fountain of Diana the Huntress to the Angel of Independence.
Castillo de Chapultepec and the Museo Nacional de Historia
Castillo Chapultepec is a historic castle that has served many roles over the past, and today is home to the Museo Nacional de Historia. When entering the park, you will need to make your way down to the bottom of the hill to explore the castle, which is open from Tuesdays to Sundays. From here, there is special transportation to take visitors to the museum at the top, although you can also access it via a fifteen minute walk. While you may not have time to fully explore the collection here, the view of the city from the balcony of the museum is definitely not to be missed.
Catedral Metropolitana
Once you have explored Castillo de Chapultepec, head back to the city center to take a look around the Catedral Metropolitana. This cathedral sits on top of ancient Aztec temple ruins, and there are even a few remaining walls that you can check out. At one point in time, the cathedral was considered to be endangered, as the soft clay soil it was built on led to it sinking dramatically, but it has now been reconstructed to guarantee its conservation. While at the cathedral, be sure to sample one of the cookie-like biscuits that you will find here, cooking over a grill. Known as gorditas de nata, these are usually served up in a stack, which is rolled in wax paper, and should always be eaten while still warm.
Templo Mayor and Museo del Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor is where you will be able to see the ruins of an Aztec pyramid, with walkways laid across the dig site to ensure that visitors enjoy a good view. The museum here is equally fascinating, with over 6000 items on display, so be sure to allocate a couple of hours to explore its offerings.
Pata Negra
Since you likely grabbed a quick street food snack for your lunch, head to Pata Negra for an exceptional meal to round out your day. If you have a few hours to spare, the venue begins to play music later on in the evening, from modern to Latin, while Wednesdays sees free salsa classes being hosted here.
A single day in Mexico City is not nearly enough to even scratch the surface on all that the city has to offer. However, this itinerary will give you a brief taster of some of the city’s highlights, and guarantees an unforgettable, and educational, day out.