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Are you looking for off the beaten path things to do in Mexico City? Look no further. We have information on seven fun things for you to do that aren’t on the usual to-do lists for CDMX.
Like any major city, Mexico City has a lot of must-sees that are part of any first-time visitor’s itinerary. You know, Frida’s House, the Zócalo, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Teotihucan, etc. And all of them are worthy.
But what about your second visit? Or maybe you are staying longer and want to explore further afoot? Or maybe your travel style is just more off the beaten path, and you don’t love the crowds that come with the more popular destinations.
Well, Mexico City has plenty of less well-known—and yet very worthwhile—attractions!
Let me share a few of my favorites places in Mexico City that aren’t on the usual itinerary. Just know that all but one of these activities are outside the center of town and will require a bit more travel time.
- See the City Atop the Monument to the Revolution
- Go Underground at the Mexico City Metro Museum
- Wander the Archaeological Site at Tlatelolco
- Explore Mayan Art at Diego Rivera’s Museo Anahuacalli
- Get a Birdseye View on the Cablebús
- Have a Religious Experience at the Basilica de Guadalupe
- Experience Sunrise in the Chinampas of Xochimilco
Read on to learn more about my favorite off the beaten path activities in Mexico City!
Monument to the Revolution
The Monument to the Revolution is curiously not on any usual must-see in Mexico City list, even though it is near the Zócalo, and pretty cool. The architecture is beautiful, the history is fascinating, and the views are amazing. You should add it to your list!
As its name implies, the Monument to the Revolution was built to commemorate the Mexican Revolution. It was actually originally supposed to be a neoclassical legislative palace commissioned by Porfirio Diaz, designed by a French architect, and constructed with fancy materials from Europe.
But the revolution squashed those plans. All that was built between 1910 and 1913 was the iron-girded structure of the interior dome.
The structure sat there unfinished for 25 years until a Mexican architect Carlos Obregón Santacilia proposed repurposing it as a monument to the heroes of the Mexican Revolution. And so it was built, using Mexican materials.
A visit to the Monument to the Revolution includes the base of the building, where you can see the iron structures, a ride up a glass elevator to the cupola, and the best part, stepping outside to admire the striking stone sculptures and the amazing city views.
Note that once you get to the top there are a lot of stairs up and down, and some tight spaces. Those with claustrophobia or fear of heights might find it challenging to visit.
As a bonus, the National Museum of the Revolution is located in the basement (and requires a separate ticket from a separate ticket booth). This add-on museum provides a great timeline of revolutionary times in Mexico—but is mostly in Spanish, so might not be worthwhile if you don’t speak Spanish.
Cost
You can purchase tickets on site or online in advance.
Individual tickets are MX$150.
They also offer combo pack for three people (MX$400) and five people (MX$600).
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 8pm
Friday – Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
Sunday: 10am – 8pm
For more information on planning your visit, check out Mexico City’s Monumental Arch: Monumento a la Revolución and Turbulent Times: Exploring Mexico City’s Museo Nacional de la Revolución.
Museo del Metro de la Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City Metro Museum)
Calling all transit nerds! This little gem of a museum is located inside the Metro system, at the Mixcoac station. The Mexico City Metro Museum has descriptions (mostly in Spanish), photographs, and artifacts from the initial construction of Mexico City’s metro system, which launched in 1969.
The highlight of the museum is the history of the Metro’s font and signage system, designed by the American Lance Wyman. The original system is still in use today. It is the only transit system that I know of with symbols (as well as names and colors) for each station, designed to make the system accessible to people who cannot read.
The museum also has an incredible collection of little paper Metro tickets, including special editions, and a small archeology display of everyday objects that were found while they were digging for the metro.
Cost
The museum is free, but as it is located within a Metro station, you do have to pay MX$5 to get into the Metro.
Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 10am – 8pm
For more information on planning your visit, check out Museo del Metro de la Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City Metro Museum): Mexico City’s Hidden Gem (for Transit Nerds).
Zona Arqueológica Tlatelolco (Tlatelolco Archaeological Site)
If you don’t have time to get to Teotihuacan but you still want to see some ruins, the Tlatelolco archaeological site is a great place for a quick archeology fix, right in the city.
The Tlatelolco archaeological site was discovered in 1948 during the construction of a new market. The excavations revealed the remains of one of the largest Aztec temples a ball court, a market, and a palace. In all likelihood the site was an important Aztec ceremonial center during the late 14th century.
In addition to the impressive structures, there are several carvings with various depictions of the Aztec gods and their associated symbols, such as the feathered serpent and the jaguar.
As you explore the site, you are likely to have it all to yourself.
Right next to the archaeological site are two other spots worth checking out: the Templo de Santiago apóstol (chuch) and the Plaza de Tres Culturas.
The Templo de Santiago Apóstol was built on the site of the former Aztec temple in the mid-16th century, destroyed during the Mexican War of Independence, but then rebuilt in the 19th century. It is a simple church, but its high vaulted ceilings are quite impressive.
The neighboring Plaza de las Tres Culturas is mostly associated with the 1968 student massacre, also known as the Tlatelolco Massacre.
Over several months, under the international gaze leading up to the Mexico City summer Olympics, students and other activists had been calling for greater political and social freedom, and an end to government corruption and repression. On the evening of October 2, 1968 thousands of students gathered in the Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Mexico City’s Tlatelolco neighborhood for a peaceful rally.
The Mexican military and police forces were deployed to the area, allegedly to maintain order and prevent violence. Without warning, they opened fire on the unarmed protesters, killing and injuring hundreds of people, including students, bystanders, and children. The exact number of casualties is still disputed, but it is believed that at least 40 people were killed and hundreds more were injured or arrested.
You can still see the bullet holes around the Plaza de las Tres Culturas, and take a moment to reflect on this dark moment in Mexico’s history. If you want more information, the Museo M68, right next to the archaeology site entrance, is dedicated to the memory of the 1968 massacre.
Cost
Entry to the archaeological site costs MX$80. Bring correct change if you can (they don’t have a lot of visitors).
The church and the Plaza are free to visit.
Hours
The Tlatelolco archaeological site is open Monday to Friday from 8am – 5pm, according to the official INAH website (don’t believe Google maps when they say it is open every day).
For more information on planning your visit, check out Aztec Ruins in the Heart of Mexico City: Zona Arqueológica Tlatelolco (Tlatelolco Archaeological Site).
Museo Anahuacalli (Anahuacalli Museum)
If you have any interest in pre-hispanic Mexican art, Diego Rivera, or modern architecture, you need to get yourself to Museo Anahuacalli.
I’m not sure why this museum is not more well-known. Perhaps because it is a bit out of the way, or possibly because they have the most useless website that makes it almost impossible to find out anything practical (hint: click this secret Museo Anahuacalli link instead!).
Mexican muralist Diego Rivera’s designed and built this museum specifically to display his huge collection of pre-Hispanic figurines. And it is an amazing collection of mostly stone and clay figures, representing people and animals in a variety of styles.
The building itself also makes this museum worthy of a visit. Rivera collaborated with architect Juan O’Gorman to design and build Anahuacalli in a way that integrated the building with nature. The building was constructed with local volcanic stone and feels intensely Mexican.
You visit the building through three planes (or stories): the Underworld, the Earthly world, and the Overworld of the gods. The ceilings in each of the 23 rooms display mosaics designed by Rivera, rife with symbolism. The mosaics start out in black and white on the ground floor of the Underworld and become more colorful as you go up to the Overworld—and finally to the outside Terrace.
Museo Anahuacalli is definitely worth the effort!
Cost
You can buy tickets online in advance, but I don’t think it’s really necessary.
Entry to Museo Anahuacalli is free with your Museo Frida Kahlo ticket within one year (hold on to that screenshot!)
Otherwise general admission is MX$100, with various discounts (some free) for students, seniors, young children, and others.
There is a MX$30 fee to take photographs inside the museum (they will give you a little sticker). No videos are allowed.
Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 11am – 5:30pm
For more information on planning your visit, check out Museo Anahuacalli: Diego Rivera’s Temple to Pre-Hispanic Art in Mexico City.
Cablebús
Did you know that Mexico City has cable cars for public transit? Indeed they do—it’s the Cablebús!
Mexico City launched the Cablebús system in 2021 to connect residents of the outer, hilly, (typically poorer) neighborhoods with downtown. This new, cleaner, greener form of transportation has greatly reduced the amount of time and energy residents spend getting up and down the hills.
And you can ride it too—for fun!
They currently have two lines, with plans in the works for more lines in the near future:
- Linea 1, is the second longest public cable car line in the world.
- Linea 2 is the longest public cable car line in the world! (Although I feel they are kind of cheating since you have to change cars, and cables, halfway through).
Each gondola seats 10 people, carefully balanced on each side of the car. These are literally the same kinds of gondolas you will find on your favorite skiway—but without the chilly breath, clunky boots, and ski holders.
It’s an amazingly peaceful way to see another part of the city and even catch a glimpse of the low volcanic peaks that surround the city. Both lines offer a great experience, although the edge on views goes to Linea 2.
Make sure to avoid rush hour for a more mellow experience!
Cost
It costs MX$9 to ride the Cablebús each way, and you can use your Metrocard.
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 8pm
Friday – Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
Sunday: 10am – 8pm
For more information on planning your visit, check out Soaring Over Mexico City: How to Ride the CDMX Cablebús.
Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe)
The Virgen de Guadalupe is one of Mexico’s most enduring images. There’s an important story behind this iconic image, and it all happened right here in Mexico City, on the site of what is now The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Legend has it that the pious peasant Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (famously just Juan Diego) was granted four apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December 1531.
The first time the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, she requested that he ask the bishop to build a chapel in her honor. The bishop, Fray Juan Zumárraga, was skeptical and told Juan Diego to come back the next day. Juan Diego encountered the Virgin Mary again and told her that it wasn’t looking good, but she told him to keep trying. He told the bishop again, and the bishop said he needed a sign, some kind of proof that the apparition was real.
Juan Diego again saw the Virgen and mentioned the request for proof. She told him to run up the hill and collect the flowers growing there. He did, and found unseasonal roses growing in abundance and scooped them up and placed them in his cloak. He later presented them to the bishop, where the flowers fell to the floor and left a lasting imprint of the Virgen de Guadalupe on his cloak. The bishop was convinced! And the cloak became the stuff of legend. To this day it remains the centerpiece of this pilgrimage site.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe hosts a number of important buildings related to this holy event. There is a quaint chapel on the site of the first apparition. There is the original basilica that now slopes somewhat due to a 1921 bombing. And then there is the more modern 1970’s basilica designed to display the tilma (cloak) and host thousands of pilgrims.
The site also has plenty of gift shops! The views of Mexico City are also not too shabby.
If you are religious or not, it’s worth a stop at this super important Catholic site.
Cost
It is free to visit the Basilica complex. But of course there are plenty of opportunities to offer donations.
They offer guided tours in Spanish Monday through Saturday at 11am and 3pm. You need to reserve in advance and they do request a donation (not sure how much!). You can also contact them for tours in English.
Hours
The Basilica does not list visiting hours, but services start as early as 6am and as late as 8pm, so you are probably safe to visit any time in that window.
For more information on planning your visit, check out Miracle on the Hill: a Complete Guide to Mexico City’s Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe).
Sunrise in the Chinampas with Arca Tierra
One of my favorite experiences ever in Mexico City is experiencing sunrise in the chinampas with Arca Tierra. It’s ethereal, magical, and a glimpse into Mexico City’s fading past.
So, what are the chinampas? Chinampas are often referred to as the Aztec floating gardens. They are basically the traditional farms on the shallow lake beds of Xochimilco, south of Mexico City.
But this is not the Xochimilco you see in the brochures, with the boats exploding with color, beer-swilling tourists, and mariachis. No, this is a tour through ancient, but still working, farmlands.
On this sunrise tour, you meet in what feels like the dead of night in the middle of nowhere. As the first glimpses of light start to emerge, you hop into a traditional trajinera (boat) and start to glide through the canals through the fog until you get to the farm. It’s incredibly peaceful.
Once at the farm, they feed you delicious tacos and treats made from crops freshly grown at the chinampa. They also offer tours around the farm to show you their ancient cultivation methods.
Cost
You have to reserve tickets online for this experience well in advance, as they only offer the experience a few times per month, on Sundays.
The tour takes about 4 hours and costs about US$65 per person. Go to Experiencias Publicas on the website to find individual tickets. You can also book private tours starting at US$650 for 10 people.
Hours
The meetup for the Sunrise in the Chinampas experience typically starts at 6am or 6:30am, generally on Sundays only.
Note that Arca Tierra offers a few other experiences that occur later in the day, but still mostly on weekends.
You will have more options on dates and hours if you book a private tour.
For more information on planning your visit, check out Arca Tierra: A Magical Sunrise Experience in the Chinampas of Xochimilco.
