Mexico City, welcomes more than 12.5 million visitors a year and is one of the hottest travel destinations for 2016. The reason is that is has more than 150 museums, 100 contemporary local art galleries and 30 distinct architectural and historic sites, as well as a host of trending arts, culture and culinary hotspots.
Accessible
It’s easily accessible through ample direct flights from the U.S. Relatively short flight from major U.S. gateways (a little more than two hours from Houston, 3.5 hours from Los Angeles and just over five hours from New York), makes
Culture
Mexico City is large, extending to more than 16 boroughs with more than 300 neighborhoods, making it impossible to see everything in one visit, so, we’ve come up with some high points for your urban-oriented clients, depending on their special interests.
The Zocalo is a good place to start. It is the main plaza in the heart of the historic city center. It is bordered by the Cathedral to the north, the National Palace (where several murals by Diego Rivera reside) to the east, the Federal District buildings to the south and the Old Portal de Mercaderes to the west. Just outside the Zocalo is the Templo Mayor site, an ancient Aztec pyramid site that was discovered just beneath the pavement of the Zocalo. For the best views, visit the Porrua library. There’s a rooftop cafe here that overlooks the site, giving guests a bird’s-eye view of the discovery.
Museums
The Soumaya Museum is known for its collection of more than 66,000 pieces of art.Arts and Culture.
Must-sees include the National Museum of Anthropology, which houses Aztec ruins from pre-colonial Mexico City and is a jewel of Mexican architecture by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, and the Soumaya Museum, another architectural gem known for its collection of more than 66,000 pieces of art, mostly European works from the 15th to the 20th centuries, as well as Mexican art, religious relics and historical documents and coins.
Skip the long lines at Casa Azul and head to the somewhat lesser-known Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo..
Contemporary art abounds in establishments such as Museo Rufino Tamayo in Chapultepec Park, and Museo Jumex, which houses one of the largest private contemporary art collections in Latin America. For fine arts, the imposing, domed Palacio de las Bellas Artes is seven blocks west of the Zocalo and next to the Alameda Central Park. Edgier art galleries, such Kurimanzutto, LABOR and Bikini Wax may appeal to others.
Food
There are many new restaurants such as Havre 77 from Chef Eduardo García of Máximo and the Milan 44 food hall are revitalizing the emerging Juárez neighborhood. Mercado San Juan, in the downtown historic center, is a food market that sells everything from fresh fruits and produce to grasshoppers, goats, fish and pork. This is a truly authentic experience. Travelers wind their way through the stalls to see local farmers and fishermen hawking their wares to chefs and locals.
Street food is at the heart of Mexico City’s culinary scene, and top chefs such as Pujol’s Enrique Olvera are known for reinventing traditional street dishes to put on their high-end menus. A tour with Club Tengo Hambre or Eat Mexico to discover some of the city’s best-tasting curbside tacos, tortas and tamales is suggested.
Shopping and Design.
Fashion designers have set up shops in the hip Condesa and Roma neighborhoods, where boutiques abound with trendy clothing from Mexican designers. Traditional markets show off Mexican handicrafts. Bargain hunters can find inexpensive artisanal goods from all over the country at La Ciudadela, El Bazaar Sábado and La Lagunilla. Those with deeper pockets may wish to browse the boutique home decor shops at the upscale Polanco enclave and showrooms such as Studio Roca, Onora Casa and BLEND.
Don't forget Madero Street at Centro, a pedestrian area that has everything from well-known brand stores for clothing and shoes to small flea markets, plus restaurants with beautiful terraces.
Travel Agent Central 6/21/16 David Moseber
Accessible
It’s easily accessible through ample direct flights from the U.S. Relatively short flight from major U.S. gateways (a little more than two hours from Houston, 3.5 hours from Los Angeles and just over five hours from New York), makes
Culture
Mexico City is large, extending to more than 16 boroughs with more than 300 neighborhoods, making it impossible to see everything in one visit, so, we’ve come up with some high points for your urban-oriented clients, depending on their special interests.
The Zocalo is a good place to start. It is the main plaza in the heart of the historic city center. It is bordered by the Cathedral to the north, the National Palace (where several murals by Diego Rivera reside) to the east, the Federal District buildings to the south and the Old Portal de Mercaderes to the west. Just outside the Zocalo is the Templo Mayor site, an ancient Aztec pyramid site that was discovered just beneath the pavement of the Zocalo. For the best views, visit the Porrua library. There’s a rooftop cafe here that overlooks the site, giving guests a bird’s-eye view of the discovery.
Museums
The Soumaya Museum is known for its collection of more than 66,000 pieces of art.Arts and Culture.
Must-sees include the National Museum of Anthropology, which houses Aztec ruins from pre-colonial Mexico City and is a jewel of Mexican architecture by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, and the Soumaya Museum, another architectural gem known for its collection of more than 66,000 pieces of art, mostly European works from the 15th to the 20th centuries, as well as Mexican art, religious relics and historical documents and coins.
Skip the long lines at Casa Azul and head to the somewhat lesser-known Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo..
Contemporary art abounds in establishments such as Museo Rufino Tamayo in Chapultepec Park, and Museo Jumex, which houses one of the largest private contemporary art collections in Latin America. For fine arts, the imposing, domed Palacio de las Bellas Artes is seven blocks west of the Zocalo and next to the Alameda Central Park. Edgier art galleries, such Kurimanzutto, LABOR and Bikini Wax may appeal to others.
Food
There are many new restaurants such as Havre 77 from Chef Eduardo García of Máximo and the Milan 44 food hall are revitalizing the emerging Juárez neighborhood. Mercado San Juan, in the downtown historic center, is a food market that sells everything from fresh fruits and produce to grasshoppers, goats, fish and pork. This is a truly authentic experience. Travelers wind their way through the stalls to see local farmers and fishermen hawking their wares to chefs and locals.
Street food is at the heart of Mexico City’s culinary scene, and top chefs such as Pujol’s Enrique Olvera are known for reinventing traditional street dishes to put on their high-end menus. A tour with Club Tengo Hambre or Eat Mexico to discover some of the city’s best-tasting curbside tacos, tortas and tamales is suggested.
Shopping and Design.
Fashion designers have set up shops in the hip Condesa and Roma neighborhoods, where boutiques abound with trendy clothing from Mexican designers. Traditional markets show off Mexican handicrafts. Bargain hunters can find inexpensive artisanal goods from all over the country at La Ciudadela, El Bazaar Sábado and La Lagunilla. Those with deeper pockets may wish to browse the boutique home decor shops at the upscale Polanco enclave and showrooms such as Studio Roca, Onora Casa and BLEND.
Don't forget Madero Street at Centro, a pedestrian area that has everything from well-known brand stores for clothing and shoes to small flea markets, plus restaurants with beautiful terraces.
Travel Agent Central 6/21/16 David Moseber