Templo Mayor, Mexico City

Smithsonian MagazineAug 24

Stunning Antiquities and Frida Kahlo’s Home Are Just Some of the Offerings That Have Bolstered Mexico City’s Fantastic Array of Museums

The ancient capital has plenty of artwork and fossils, if that’s what you like. Or tour the writing rooms of a Nobel winner, the fortified home of an exiled Russian revolutionary and towers of skulls

Base of a step pyramid topped with altars.

25 things in this story

Templo MayorMuseumBase of a step pyramid topped with altars.
CoyoacánNeighborhoodLeafy neighborhood with handicraft markets and plazas.
ZócaloSightExpansive main plaza.
National Museum of AnthropologyMuseumHolds world's largest collection of pre-Columbian items.
Antique Toy MuseumMuseumThe Museo del Juguete Antiguo México (MUJAM) is the Antique Toy Museum.
Museum of NarcoticsMuseumShowcases exhibits related to the Mexican drug war.
XochimilcoSightRemains of one of the original lakes.
TenochtitlanSightFounded around 1325 on a central island.
Historic CenterNeighborhoodSpanish built their colonial administrative heart here.
Metropolitan CathedralSightOrnate cathedral that looms over the Zócalo.
Urban Archaeology Program (PAU)PlaceOversees excavations in the historical center.
Hotel CatedralHotelDiscover Hotel Catedral’s two towers steps from the Zócalo in Mexico City’s Historic Center (CDMX).
Temple of Ehecatl-QuetzalcoatlSightAztec god of the wind's temple ruins.
Spanish Cultural CenterMuseumBasement contains remains of a school for Aztec nobility.
calmecacMuseumSchool for the sons of Aztec nobility.
Museum of Cacao & ChocolateMuseumRestored Spanish mansion opened last year.
Huey TzompantliSightSite where over 650 craniums of sacrifice victims were displayed.
National Museum of InterventionsMuseumRecounts story of French and American invasions.
Churubusco monasterySightProperty studded with ancient trees.
National Museum of the RevolutionMuseumDevoted to uprisings that created Mexico's republic.
Living Museum of MuralismMuseumAppreciate contributions of Mexican muralists.
Presidente Abelardo L. Rodríguez MarketMarketThe Mercado Abelardo Rodríguez is one of the best known public markets in the city center.
History MexicoPlace72-foot-long sculptural frieze by Isamu Noguchi.
Tequila and Mezcal MuseumMuseum
Mexican Sugar Art MuseumMuseum

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Condé Nast TravelerSep 11, 2025

26 Best Things to Do in Mexico City, From Frida Kahlo's Home to Storied Pastry Shops

Everything you need to do in one of the very oldest cities in the Americas

Ruins of the Aztec capital's main temple

43 things in this story

RomaSuburbThere's no better home base for eating your way through the city.
CondesaNeighborhoodIt is immediately west of Colonia Roma, together with which it is designated as a "Barrio Mágico Turístico".
PolancoTrain stationPolanco is an affluent colonia, noted for its luxury shopping along Presidente Masaryk Avenue, the most expensive…
Mercado JamaicaMarketMexico City's principal flower market
El Moro ChurerríaRestaurantBeloved churro shop with spiffy interiors
Capuchin Convent ChapelSightLuis Barragán's seminal work with serene atmosphere
Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon TourPlaceOperates a few miles outside Teotihuacán
Green RhinoRestaurantThis bakery comes from star baker Richard Hart, renowned for his bakery Hart Bageri, with multiple locations in…
Museo Rufino TamayoMuseumFounded by Rufino Tamayo in 1981
Floating Gardens of XochimilcoSightUNESCO World Heritage Site, lake and canal system
Palacio NacionalSightHolds stunning Diego Rivera murals
Templo MayorMuseumRuins of the Aztec capital's main temple
Museo Frida KahloMuseumFrida Kahlo's former home, Casa Azul
Sculpture Garden at the Museo Universitario Arte ContemporáneoMuseumBuilt around lava with wonderful views
Pasteleria IdealBakeryInstitution beloved for its classic pastries
Monumento a la RevoluciónSightLargest triumphal arch in the world
Cárcamo de DoloresAttractionFormer hydraulic water system, now a landmark
Peana GalleryPlaceContemporary Mexican art gallery in Roma Sur
Self-Guided Centro Historico Cantina CrawlPlaceTraditional watering-holes with ornate bars
The Noguchi Mural at Abelardo L. Rodríguez MarketSightIsamu Noguchi's mural 'History Mexico'
Lucha Libre at the Arena ColiseoPlaceA giant venue that hosts sporting and entertainment events, the Arena seats as many as 23,300 spectators.
The Centro Histórico BoleadoresPlaceStreet performers who roll balls
Museo AnahuacalliMuseumMuseum designed by Diego Rivera
Patrick MillerBarFrom the outside, it looks like a dumpy warehouse hidden behind a black gate.
Museo Nacional de AntropologíaMuseumMedia luna del vestíbulo principal y Galería del primer piso del MNA.
Casa Estudio Luis BarragánMuseumLa Casa Luis Barragán, construida en 1948, representa una de las obras arquitectónicas contemporáneas de mayor…
Torre LatinoamericanaSightIts central location, height, and history make it one of the city's most important landmarks.
AhuehueteSightAncient tree
Centro HistoricoNeighborhood
CuauhtémocNeighborhood
TeotihucánSight
San Telmo MuseumMuseum
La ConchaNeighborhood
Monte UrgullTrail
Castillo de la MotaSight
Parque de Cristina EneaNeighborhood
Borda BerriRestaurant
Bar SportRestaurant
TxepetxaRestaurant
La ViñaRestaurant
Nautical ClubSight
City HallSight
Sagrado Corazón statueSight

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →

Templo Mayor

In the coverage2 stories

Stunning Antiquities and Frida Kahlo’s Home Are Just Some of the Offerings That Have Bolstered Mexico City’s Fantastic Array of Museums

26 Best Things to Do in Mexico City, From Frida Kahlo's Home to Storied Pastry Shops