8 MUST-Do Activities in Mexico City (Not Food) 🇲🇽
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I recently spent one full month in the beautiful, vibrant, and endlessly fascinating Mexico City, a place that offers so much to both locals and visitors alike. With so much to see and do, it’s important to prioritize your time. So in this guide, I’m sharing the top 8 activities in Mexico City that I literally cannot get out of my head.
And spoiler alert: activity number six ended up being my absolute favorite, even though I didn’t expect to enjoy it at all.
If you’d prefer this information in a video format, watch the YouTube video below:
1. Explore the Historic Center 🏛️
One thing I always recommend when arriving in a new city is joining a free walking tour, and Mexico City is no exception. The Historic Center has tons of great walking tour options, and navigating its hectic streets with a guide is incredibly helpful.
Walking tours usually dive into the city’s long and complex history, which gives you a solid foundation for the rest of your trip. They’re also a great way to get local recommendations for food, neighborhoods, and other activities to check out.
Even if you don’t join an official tour, make sure you spend time wandering through the Historic Center. You’ll see ancient ruins mixed with stunning colonial architecture. Highlights include the Palace of Fine Arts and the Gran Hotel, both of which are iconic.
2. Take a Boat Ride in Xochimilco 🚣♀️
Another can’t-miss experience in Mexico City is visiting Xochimilco, an area filled with canals located far south in the city. These canals are actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to their unique ecosystem and history.
You can either rent a private boat or join a group tour and ride with others, which is what I did. My tour included making fresh guacamole and unlimited drinks, which definitely added to the fun.
As you float through the canals, vendors will pull up alongside your boat selling food, drinks, and handmade jewelry. You can even pay mariachi bands to hop on your boat and play a few songs 🎶.
Xochimilco is also home to endangered native species, including the axolotl, which you may see during your visit. Spending a few hours here is popular with both tourists and locals, especially for birthdays and celebrations.
3. Spend Time on Paseo de la Reforma 🌆
Paseo de la Reforma is arguably the most important avenue in all of Mexico City. It’s where the city hosts its largest and most culturally significant events, including Day of the Dead, New Year’s celebrations, and Christmas festivities.
This avenue is also home to the city’s tallest skyscrapers, where companies like Netflix and Apple have offices. You’ll find some of the nicest hotels here, including the Ritz-Carlton, along with upscale shopping centers.
If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity, head to Paseo de la Reforma on Sunday morning for the weekly ciclovía. The road is mostly closed to cars and fills up with locals jogging, biking, and rollerblading. You can easily rent a bike and join in.
No matter the time of year, Paseo de la Reforma is buzzing with energy.
4. Wander Through Chapultepec Park 🌳
Spanning over 1,600 acres, Chapultepec Park is the largest urban park in Latin America and home to several major attractions.
Inside the park, you’ll find Chapultepec Castle, a zoo, a botanical garden, and two lakes where you can rent paddle boats. As you walk around, you’ll also encounter street food vendors, souvenir stands, and unexpected sights like performers and traditional ceremonies.
One of the most memorable things you might stumble upon is the Dance of the Flyers, an ancient ritual that dates back hundreds of years. Chapultepec Park is the kind of place where you should give yourself permission to wander and get a little lost.
5. Visit World-Class Museums 🖼️
Mexico City is home to more than 150 museums, making it the city with the second most museums in the world, just behind London.
The top museum to visit is the National Museum of Anthropology, which houses countless artifacts from Indigenous civilizations, including the Mayans and Aztecs. It’s the most visited museum in Mexico and considered a must-see for anyone interested in history and culture.
The Frida Kahlo Museum is another major highlight, but tickets sell out weeks in advance. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get one, which I was pretty bummed about. However, I did get to see one of her famous paintings at the Museum of Modern Art, which I also highly recommend.
Both the Anthropology Museum and the Museum of Modern Art are located inside Chapultepec Park, making it easy to visit multiple spots in one day.
6. Watch Lucha Libre 🤼♂️
This was the activity that completely surprised me and ended up being my favorite.
Lucha Libre is professional Mexican wrestling that dates back to the early 1900s. It’s known for colorful masks, dramatic costumes, and jaw-dropping acrobatic moves. The energy in the arena is unreal.
I expected it to feel like a tourist attraction, but the crowd was mostly locals, and the experience felt incredibly authentic. I had so much fun that I genuinely considered buying tickets to another show.
There are matches at two different arenas on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday nights. Friday night shows at Arena Mexico tend to be the biggest and most lively. Tickets are affordable, and sitting close to the ring makes the experience even better. I sat in row six for under $40.
Arrive early and bring cash so you can buy your own Lucha Libre mask from the vendors outside.
7. Visit Ling Ling for the Best View 🍸
This next recommendation is technically a restaurant, but hear me out. It’s on this list not because of the food, although it is delicious. You should visit Ling Ling for the view of the city.
Located on the 56th floor of the Ritz-Carlton, Ling Ling offers what I genuinely believe is the best view in all of Mexico City. The space is stunning, and the panoramic skyline views are breathtaking.
Even if you’re not planning a full meal, it’s worth stopping by for a drink or small snack just to experience the view.
8. Treat Yourself to a Spa Day 💆♀️
While a spa day might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Mexico City, it’s an activity I recommend.
The city has an impressive spa scene, with options at nearly every price point. If you’re looking for luxury, fancy hotel spas are a great choice. If you want something more affordable, boutique spas in neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa offer excellent services.
I looked at several spas while I was in the city and ultimately booked one in Condesa for my birthday. I got a two-hour massage, an hour-long facial, and a 15-minute back scrub for just under $200 total. It was hands down one of the best massages I’ve ever had.
Final Thoughts on Mexico City ✨
Mexico City is massive, dynamic, and packed with unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re into history, culture, nature, or just soaking in the energy of a place, this city delivers in every way.
If you’re planning a trip, these eight activities are an incredible place to start.
