Mexico City, or CDMX as locals now call it, is a vibrant and exciting megalopolis with a population of over 22 million people. With that in mind, you can imagine there are tons of things to do and see, from amazing museums and historic sites to some of the world’s most delicious food—and lots of tequila and mezcal. Check out these eight spots you must visit, whether it’s your first time in the capital or you’ve visited many times before.

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Eat a Taco…Stuffed with Grasshoppers

Things to Do in Mexico City

Taco Tuesday gets even more exciting when you add grasshoppers.

The city’s gastronomic scene is booming thanks to chefs like Enrique Olvera of Pujol, Eduardo García of Maximo Bistro and Jorge Vallejo of Quintonil. Although these restaurants are considered some of the best in the capital (and indeed the world), there are also plenty of casual spots offering outstanding meals. For great tacos al pastor, head to El Parnita or el Tizoncito, both feature several locations across the city. If you are craving fish and seafood, try Contramar, Puntarena or La Docena. For good mole, check out high-end eatery Guzina Oaxaca or Pasillo de Humo—where you can try grasshopper tacos with guacamole!

Take a Selfie in Front of a Diego Rivera

Things to Do in Mexico City

Museo Mural Diego Rivera | Trover photo by I Did It Anyway

Check out works by legendary Mexican painters and muralists such as Rivera, David Alfaro Siquieros and Rufino Tamayo at the Museo de Arte Moderno. If you’re into art that is even more contemporary, visit the Museo Tamayo and the David Chipperfield-designed Museo Jumex, where you will see see works by Brit artist Damian Hirst and Donald Judd (of Marfa, Texas fame), among others. If you enjoy gallery hopping, head to neighborhood San Miguel Chapultepec and visit a number of renowned galleries including Galería de Arte Mexicano, Kurimanzutto, Patricia Conde Galeria and Nina Menocal, all within walking distance of one another. The Museo Mural Diego Rivera houses one of the artist’s most famous works: “Dream of a Sunday afternoon in Alameda Central Park.” Bring your camera.

Stand Atop a Mesoamerican Pyramid

Things to Do in Mexico City

Teotihuacan Pyramids

Mexico City is rich in pre-Columbian history as it was once the dominant city-state of the Aztec empire. If you are eager to learn more about this period, you should visit the Anthropology Museum, home to some of the most important archaeological and anthropological artifacts from Mexico’s pre-Columbian heritage. The Templo Mayor, or the Main Temple of the Aztecs, is located in the Historic Center and is well worth a visit as are the Teotihuacan pyramids, one of the most important archeological sites in the country. Here you can climb the Sun pyramid and enjoy the amazing view.

Visit a Sears Store (No, Really)

Things to Do in Mexico City

Palacio de Bellas Artes

You can’t go to Mexico City without visiting the Historic Center where you can see some of the most iconic buildings in the capital. Start at the Zócalo or main square and then head over to the Cathedral and the National Palace. Don’t miss the Main Post Office, a beautiful building from 1907 with a mix of styles ranging from Art Nouveau to Spanish Rococo. Walk over to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, a prominent cultural center built in the Art Nouveau and Deco style. To get a better picture of the building, cross the street and go to the Sears store, where there is a nice terrace with outstanding views of the Palace.

Check Out the Soho District

Things to Do in Mexico City

Mercado Medellin | Trover photo by koen peeters

Roma and Condesa are considered the hip neighborhoods of the city. Whether you want to see more art galleries like Proyectos Monclova or OMR; check out food market Mercado Medellin; bike around the Parque Mexico; jog along the pedestrian tree-lined walkway in Avenida Amsterdam; grab a coffee at local cafe Chiquitito; or get a drink at Limantour (considered one of the world’s best bars), Condesa and Roma offer activities for every traveler type.

Sleep Inside an Architectural Marvel

Things to Do in Mexico City

Photo courtesy of Camino Real Poblanco

Mexico City hotels are a bargain compared to their US counterparts. Consider the sprawling, four-star and 712-room Camino Real Poblanco Hotel, which features three pools and 10 restaurants, and is a modernist masterpiece designed by architect Ricardo Legorreta. It’s not the city’s only architectural treasure: Luis Barragán was a renowned architect that revolutionized modern architecture with his use of bright colors reminiscent of traditional Mexican architecture. Visit his home and studio in the San Miguel Chapultepec neighborhood. Other contemporary architectural gems include the modern Soumaya Museum by Fernando Romero and contemporary art museum the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC) designed by Teodoro González de León.

Buy a Mexican Folk Art Sculpture

Things to Do in Mexico City

Don’t forget to take home a piece of Mexican flair!

If you love Mexican arts and crafts, visit one of the markets in the city, which sell the famous alebrijes—brightly colored wood-carved sculptures, usually of mythical creatures. You can buy these and other arts and crafts, including handmade textiles and jewelry among other things, at the famous Bazar del Sábado, a Saturday market that sets up in the San Ángel neighborhood every week, or at the daily Mercado de Artesanías in the Juárez neighborhood.

Take a Shot of Mezcal

Things to do in Mexico City

Bottoms up!

Mezcal, a distilled alcoholic beverage made with agave that has a smoky and strong flavor, is very popular in Mexico these days. You can have it straight or mixed in cocktails to smooth out the flavor. There are a number of mezcalerias, or mezcal bars, in the city where you can taste mezcal and its different varieties. Some of the most popular ones include La Clandestina, La Botica and Talismán de Motolinia.

For more great ideas on what to do and where to eat in Mexico City and other destinations, follow @michelleonbell on Twitter.

Michelle Meyer

Michelle Meyer

Michelle Meyer

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