Not many people may think of Mexico City as a destination to see, but this city is vibrant and full of amazing food and culture that can leave your soul and taste buds feeling alive. If you’re coming from the southwestern side of the United States, Mexico is a short enough flight to make this a fun weekend get-away with the girls or your significant other.
Here is what you need to know for what I think are the top things to see and do for 3 days in Mexico City:
How to get there
Mexico City International Airport is the main airport in Mexico City which you will fly into. Unfortunately, Southwest Airlines no longer flies into Mexico City so you will have to look at United, Delta and American Airlines. If you can get-away Thursday evening to fly out you can have 3 days in the city to see the major highlights with a flight out Sunday evening back home.
Where to Stay in Mexico City
Day 1, Friday: Teotihuacan and The Museum of National Anthropology
Option 1: If you want to pack in a full day and see Teotihuacan and the National Museum of Anthropology:
Start early on Friday morning to head out to the original city It takes about 40 minutes to get to Teotihuacan depending on where you are staying in Mexico City. Choose an experience that will pick you up and drop you off at your location or at a location walking distance from where you are staying.
Check out this excellent rated experience that is only 3.5 hours.
The museum’s collections include the Stone of the Sun, giant stone heads of the Olmec civilization, and treasures recovered from the Maya civilization.
You can walk through on your own and find an Airbnb experience for a guide to take you through the museum
Option 2: If you want the full Teotihuacan experience check out this 8.5 hour tour: https://www.airbnb.no/experiences/381092
Dinner & After Dinner Drinks
The restaurant, Contramar is famous for its seafood-focus menu and is a must while you’re in CDMX. The restaurant closes at 8, so leave plenty of time for yourselves to order some tuna tostadas, fish in red and green sauce and have a proper sobremesa (relaxing at the table after a meal)! This place was packed and full of families and couples enjoying their Friday night.
Not into seafood? Try a taco crawl like this one!
When you close down Contramar, head to La Clandestina for after dinner drinks. La Clandestina is a mezcaleria. A dark, candle-lit, nook and cranny bar where the focus is just the mezcal (as it should be). Get a tasting of multiple infused mezcals; even if mezcal is not your thing, you are sure to find one here you like.
Day 2, Saturday- Art Crawl
This day is dedicated to art!
Grab some concha for breakfast on your way and start at La Casa De Azul (The Blue House). This is a MUST to pay homage to one of Mexico’s most famous artist. This is the house Frida Kahlo grew up, lived and died in. Get here 30 minutes or more before it opens, the line already wraps around the building before it opens. This is an incredible museum frozen in time. It is full of artifacts from her life, some of her paintings, Mesoamerican artifacts and has an amazing garden to walk around and enjoy.
Lunch: Right down the street from La Casa De Azul is the Coyoacan Mercado. Stroll through the stalls and enjoy the delicious jugos and tostadas. Jugo de papaya is my favorite!
Afternoon Option 1- Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo
Next head to Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo. These are two separate houses joined via a bridge. These were the studios where Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo worked and lived on and off for 20 years.
Once you’ve had a chance to walk through the museums head to the El Bazar Sabado in San Angel- a quick Uber ride from the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Fridah Kahlo. This is a large mercado held every Saturday. Walk through the Plaza San Jacinto and surrounding streets and shop for art and local artisanal goods
Afternoon Option 2- Xochimilco
Head to Xochimilco to fiesta on the traditional Trajinera (colorful boats). Check out this AirBnB experience: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/660220?currentTab=experience_tab&federatedSearchId=1e06efde-ea33-430d-a105-f05a56a005c0&searchId=§ionId=60c3892f-d6cd-4674-beb3-1c5b3e466449&source=p2
Dinner
Make reservations at Pujol, Mexican haute cuisine restaurant. Pujols gained additional fame thanks to Netflix’s Chef’s table season 2, ep 4. But Chef Enrique Olvera, an internationally renowned chef has been making waves in the restaurant industry for many years.
You will need to make a reservation months in advance- so be sure to make your reservation now for your future trip to Mexico City.
Day 3, Sunday- City Center
Morning-
In the morning, head to the zocalo of Mexico City to view the Templo Mayor, the remains of the Aztec capital city Tenochtitlan. The museum is closed on Sunday, but you can still walk through some of the remains outside without attending the museum.
After some people watching in the Zocalo you can then head to the National Palace of Mexico City which is where the official residence of the President of Mexico. Inside you can wander the plazas and view the Diego Rivera murals.
Afternoon
Catch an uber or taxi back to the International Airport of Mexico City.
