+ Pyramids of Teotihuacan - Explore ancient ruins

This is located about 25 miles northeast of the city center (you'll have to zoom out on the interactive map). Once you're on-site, follow the signs and crowds, it's pretty self-explanatory. Getting there, though... you have options:

• Day-trip tours are available, which take longer - multiple pickups/dropoffs, additional stops which you may or may not like - but require little planning. Expect tours to take most of a day, and cost ~$40-$50 USD.
• Alternatively, the DYI version involves either ridesharing each way, or using public transit. Either way, plan for ~90min each way to the pyramids and back, and leave early to avoid crowds. Ridesharing can cost anywhere from ~$20-$50 USD each way, depending on time of day and number of seats needed.
• Public transit involves taking the metro to the Autobuses del Norte station (line 5), then heading to Puerto 8 (Gate 8) for buses to “Pyramides” / “Zona Arqueologico”. Round trip bus is ~$5 USD. Once you’re on-site, follow the signs and crowds. Lunch options are limited but there are spots in the town nearby.

+ Floating Gardens of Xochimilco - Party on a boat

This is located about 12 miles south of the city center (you'll have to zoom out on the interactive map). Plan on ~60min each way from the city center. Easiest is to rideshare, as the metro option involves a bus transfer and getting to the ‘right’ embarcadero is important. There are nine embarcaderos - the one pinned in the interactive map below is by far the most trafficked and therefore the most straightforward to navigate: prices are well-established, there's lots of boats, etc.

There are shops right along the dock that sell beer, snacks, and party supplies. Grab a lot as it's cheap and you don’t want to run out. Be default, you do a private rental as a group (typical total cost is about 1400 pesos / ~$70USD for four hours), and boats can accomodate ~12 people. Pro-tip: bring a portable speaker or two with a lot of battery. They'll also rent you a boombox with an aux cable for ~200 pesos.

• Hint: If you can make friends quick on the dock and jump in with others, it makes the cost super low. If you go this route, make sure you arrange this out of sight from the vendors because they’re quick to tell who’s actually travelling together and who’s just trying to save money.

+ Historic District - Learn about old and fancy things

The Zocalo is built on top of the center of Tenochtitlan, which was itself the center of Aztec civilization. LOTS of history here.

Breakfast options: Pasteleria Ideal [opens 6:30AM - load up on inexpensive, authentic Mexican pastries and snack away], or El Moro for churros and coffee or hot chocolate [24/7, ~100-year-old spot on the west end of the Historic District that recently opened additional locations; the four churros order is splittable].

• Three top spots to visit right off the Zocalo:

  • Metropolitan Cathedral - Oldest, largest cathedral in Latin America! Cool to pop into even if you normally think "ABC" (Another Bloody Church).
  • Templo Mayor - Do Not Miss This. Construction workers doing street renovations stumbled upon the original Sun Temple of Tenochtitlan, which had been buried by the conquistadors and forgotten. They're still actively excavating!
  • Palacio National - It's the President's residence - like the Mexican White House (Casa Blanco?) Cool garden, murals by Diego Rivera, etc. The require holding an ID - it's totally safe but bring something besides your passport just in case.

• Four top spots to visit just west off Alameda Central Park:

  • Palacio de Bellas Artes - Gorgeous architecture - worth popping in just to see the building. Hosts operas and other fancy performances.
  • Museo Postal - Gorgeous ~100-year-old Main Post Office building. Worth popping in just to take in the space.
  • Museo National de Arte - Must-see for the art lovers. Rotating collections and pieces going back hundreds of years.
  • Diego Rivera Mural Museum - The interior walls are covered in Rivera's distinctive, colorful murals. The building is sinking, so the murals are cracking, and workers are restoring them continuously.

Lots of bonus spots all over - seriously too many to list, just search and see if something catches your interest. Final top spot is just north, at Plaza Garibaldi: Museo de Tequila y Mezcal. Do the full tour and then swing by Salon Tenampa for dinner / drinks and a whole lot of mariachi.

+ Chapultepec Park - History of mexico and upscale strolling

Twice the size of New York's Central Park, it used to be a retreat for Aztec rulers, contains Chapultepec Hill (considered the mythical origin of the Mexica people) and Chapultepec Castle at the top of the hill, which formerly served as the residence for Mexico's leaders.

• Three top spots to visit in the park:

  • Castillo de Chapultepec - Uphill walk to the top is rewarded by lots of historical artefacts inside and an incredible view of the city outside.
  • Museo National de Antropologia is an unparalleled, world-class institution - plan to allocate half a day to walking through it. It presents the complete history of people living in what is now Mexico. Whole multi-story stone ruins have been transported in to be explored!
  • Jardin Botanico del Bosque de Chapultepec - Small botanical gardens in between the two museums. Nice, quick stroll.

Follow up with dinner and drinks in Polanco, a short walk north of the park. Either get a reservation well in advance for Pujol or Quintonil, two of the highest rated restaurants in the world (but on a relative basis, affordable at Mexico prices), or start at Parque Lincoln Polanco and just wander around the neighborhood. Lots of great options.

+ Condesa - Food crawl in a hip neighborhood

Hope you're hungry. Food and drink crawl around one of Mexico City’s funnest neighborhoods to explore.

Get started: If you haven’t gotten Mexican pastries yet, Esperanza offers up tons of authentic options and coffee. If you haven’t gotten churros yet, El Moro opened up a branch right off Parque Mexico, in the center of the neighborhood.

Fancy lunch: Contramar, super-popular seafood spot. Whole filet fish is their specialty. Tuna tartar is also on point.

Fancy not your thing? Commence the tacos crawl. These are all walkable to each other. Godspeed. From west to east:

• Anthony Bourdain’s favorite tacos? El Huequito. Ordering the "Pastor especial" results in a towering pile of meat and all the accompaniments, enough for 8+ tacos. Add queso because why not.
• Cheap street tacos? Tacos Don Juan. Have your order and cash ready - they're eager to start chopping meat fresh for you.
• Cheap cafeteria-style tacos? Orinoco. Three basic meat options with various toppings. Open till 5AM on weekend nights. That kinda place.
• Soft-shell crab tacos? Tres Galeones. Cute little sea-themed spot with non-standard taco fillings.

Head to Mezcalia on the edge of Parque Espana to sample as many different kinds of mezcal as you like - they'll walk you through all the different varieties and differences. Just plan to buy a bottle on your way out - they've got plenty in the $20-$30 USD range.

More food and drink options:

• Fancy dinner with ever-changing ingredients in an photo-ready backyard? Huset.
• Trendy mezcal cocktail spot? La Clandestina.

On weekend nights, head north to Calle Genova, a pedestrian-only multi-block walk with a boisterous crowd (some spots are tourist traps so watch out).

• Class it up a bit at Bukowski’s Bar, a rooftop patio set inside of a bookstore.
• Want to grab (a lot of cheap) drinks on a patio and take in the scene? Check out Cueva de Lobos and/or Salon Corona Genova (upstairs).
• Late night Mexican food? La Casa de Tono, always popular 24/7 cafeteria-style spot serving up some of everything local.
• One final late night tacos spot to end the crawl? Tacotento. It's cheap, decent and quick - order up a storm.

+ Roma - Edgier food and drinks plus nacho libre

The sister neighborhood of Condesa right to its east is just as fun to explore. Below are some food and drink options that are a little further off the beaten path. Time this with a Nacho Libre show at Arena Mexico.

Breakfast:

• Option 1: Head to the center of the Roma Norte neighborhood and stroll until you find an appealing cafe. It won't take long.
• Option 2: Head to Mercado Roma, an enormous food hall with great variety of snacks and food to order.

If you want to do a half-day trip further south, the Frida Kahlo Museum is the trendy place to go (just get your ticket reservation in advance!). In between Roma and the museum are the emerging neighborhoods of Nopales and Narvarte. Lunch options: Piloncillo y Cascabel, featuring innovative takes on traditional Mexican dishes, and Tizne Tacomotora, featuring innovative tacos (the dessert ones are truly impressive).

Check out Pulqueria los Insurgentes for an early dinner and drinks. Pulque is a traditional beverage of the Aztecs. Some people don’t like the texture, but it’s worth a try (mango flavor was a winner). The place is four stories tall and has restaurant areas, lounges, and bars.

Take in an evening Nacho Libre show at Arena Mexico (shows are Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, all start at 8:30PM and Friday is the biggest - plan to arrive at 8PM).

[Note: The arena is technically located at the corner of the Doctores neighborhood, so can get a little sketch - it feels like the surroundings of most stadiums. Be mindful of your surroundings and head out west after the show.]