DK Travel : Mexico City : Itineraries

A Stroll Through Coyoacán

Morning

Begin at the Museo Nacional de la Acuarela located on Salvador Novo, south of Avenida Francisco Sosa. After viewing the excellent watercolors, walk back to Avenida Francisco Sosa along one of the prettiest cobblestone streets of Coyoacán with its many attractive old colonial mansions and the charming yellow Church of Santa Catarina built in the middle of 17th century. Cross the street into the garden of the cultural center, Casa de la Cultura Jesús Reyes Heroles (No. 202). Farther along is the Jardín del Centenario . View the Fountain of the Coyotes. Move to the adjacent Plaza Hidalgo and admire the interior of the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. Explore the area around the plaza. Lunch at trendy Los Danzantes .

Afternoon

Head north on Allende for three blocks to Mercado de Coyoacán and soak in the sights, sounds, and smells in this pretty market where colorful arrays of fresh fruits and vegetables, piñatas, toys, and crafts are on sale amid the tantalizing smell of Mexican food. Carry on to Londres to visit the Museo Frida Kahlo where the famous artist was born, lived, and painted. Continue on to Viena and turn right to visit Museo León Trotsky . Head back to Plaza Hidalgo for some of Coyoacán’s renowned ice cream at Helados La Siberia .
A Walk Through Colonia Condesa

Afternoon

Take the Turibus and get off at stop #3, or take a taxi to Av Michoacán . This beautiful residential neighborhood has tree-shaded avenues and Art Deco houses, and is a favorite with writers, artists, and musicians. This trendy area boasts cafés that are popular with the city’s young professionals. Try La Buena Tierra for excellent organic fare, or head east along Av Michoacán to Don Asado for platters of hearty grilled meats. After lunch, continue along Av Michoacán and cross Av Mexico , entering the pretty Parque Mexico and walk to the Fountain of the Water Jugs which has a statue of a nude woman holding two ceramic jugs with water flowing from them. Once part of Mexico’s premier horse racing track, this oval park features wide shady paths, lush landscaping, and beautiful fountains. Exit the park at the northeast corner on to Av Mexico. Continue past the lovely 14-story Art Deco masterpiece Edificio Basurto by architect Francisco J. Serrano and completed in 1945. Admire the lovely, dome-shaped white Art Deco fountain in Plaza Popocatépetl , designed by José Gómez Echeverría in 1927. Walk to the right, almost all the way around the circular plaza, exiting on to Av Mexico. Continue on to Av Michoacán, passing Art Deco buildings and then head back to the Turibus stop where you can have dessert or snacks at one of the sidewalk restaurants.
An Alameda Central Stroll

Morning

Have breakfast in the lovely courtyard of the Casa de los Azulejos , now a Sanborns Restaurant , admiring the fountain, the intricate tile work, and the exquisite mural by Orozco. Across the street is the late Baroque Iglesia y Ex-Convento de San Francisco and next door is the towering Torre Latinoamericana . Take the elevator to the 44th floor for an exceptional view of the city. Next visit the grand Palacio de Bellas Artes to explore the fabulous Beaux Arts building with its Art Deco interior. Catch the brilliant murals by Rivera, Siqueiros, Orozco, and Tamayo in the second and third floor porticoes. Lunch at the dining room of the palacio.

Afternoon

Walk through lovely Parque Alameda Central , to the west of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, and enjoy the park’s fountains. Next proceed across Av Hidalgo to the Museo Franz Mayer which houses a great collection of decorative arts. Then head east on Av Hidalgo, across Tacuba into the Palacio Postal . The Post Office is famous for its stunning staircase and architecture. Then cross Tacuba and walk on to Plaza Manuel Tolsá to the famous statue El Caballito or The Little Horse by Manuel Tolsá (1757–1816). Spend the rest of the afternoon at Museo Nacional de Arte .
Museum Highlights Walk

Morning

To the right of the entrance to Bosque de Chapultepec is the Museo de Arte Moderno. Turn left on the road that leads up to the Castillo de Chapultepec . When you reach the Casa de los Espejos take a tram to the top of the hill. The road curves past the Museo del Caracol , which highlights major moments in Mexican history. At the top of the hill enter the Castillo and go straight to the Alcázar Section of the Museo Nacional de Historia . Explore the opulent rooms of the former President’s Mansion, walk up the Staircase of the Lions, and visit the Garden of the Keep . Head back to the museum’s Castillo Section and look at the murals in the main staircase and the first floor before visiting the gift shop.

Afternoon

Descend the hill and follow a sidewalk lined with many vendors – you may want to buy a cold bottled drink – to Lago de Chapultepec . Turn right toward the Museo Nacional de Antropología and follow the signs. After you enter the museum go into the courtyard and turn left down the stairs for lunch in the excellent café. Spend the rest of the day exploring the fabulous halls of this renowned anthropological museum. Be sure to see the Mexica Hall at the end of the courtyard, and the Teotihuacán Hall.
Paseo de la Reforma by Foot and Turibus

Morning

Begin from El Caballito , at the corner of Av Juárez and board the Turibus to the Monumento a la Revolución north of the Reforma. Hop off at stop #13 to visit Museo Nacional de la Revolución and also the Museo Nacional San Carlos . Back on the bus, take a top deck seat to view the skyline and the Monumento de Colón and Monumento a Cuauhtémoc at the glorietas. A majestic palm tree occupies the next glorieta. To the north is the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores with its glass dome between two high-rise glass buildings. Get off at stop #15 for Monumento a la Independencia. Walk south across Reforma into the shopping and café district of Zona Rosa. On the right is Mercado Insurgentes and on the left is Plaza del Ángel . Just ahead is a great café, Konditori , where you can stop for lunch.

Afternoon

Return to the Turibus stop #15. Take a seat upstairs and watch for the Roman goddess Diana, the huntress, in the final glorieta standing atop Fuente de la Diana Cazadora. Step off the bus at stop #16 and head to the 52nd floor of Torre Mayor for an incredible view of Mexico City. Downstairs, the Torre Mayor also has trendy shops, boutiques, and cafés. Stop for a cup of café con leche, a special Mexican coffee.