Editor’s Note:
Anastasia Chernykh is this blog’s Social Media Manager. She lives in Kharkov, Ukraine but recently we met up in Punta Mita, Mexico for our annual work retreat. Anastasia then spent a few days in Mexico City. Here is her guest post about navigating logistics, street tacos, and Mezcal. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
– Jen Pollack Bianco
Eclectic city architecture: view of Plaza de Bellas Artes and Torre Latinoamericana
After a relaxing Punta Mita experience, lively and vibrant Mexico City was a bit hard to embrace. Yet I tried to stay on my Pacific chill wave even in a place with a population of 20 million.
Mexico City has a huge number of attractions and tourist places, so the challenge was to narrow down the list and not to skip something really cool. The logistics were also difficult, as the distances are large and nobody wants to spend all day on the road instead of enjoying their visit.
The starting point was obvious for me – Palacio de Bellas Artes. Located in the historic center of the Mexico City (and conveniently close to my hotel), this impressive white building isn’t only an architectural delight, but also an important cultural center.
Palacio’s main facade is made of Italian white marble
Palacio de Bellas Artes is home to Mexican Symphonic Orchestra and folklore ballet. It also hosts a variety of notable events from live performances to art exhibitions.
Together with Alameda Park, it is surrounded by crowds all day and its Plaza turns into some kind of social scene for Mexican City youth at night… I’ve never seen so many kissing couples at the same time!
Alameda Central park
After a short visit to Alameda Park I headed to Zocalo, the main square. The best way to get there from Palacio de Bellas Artes is to walk down pedestrian Francisco I Madero street and enjoy colonial buildings, street music and mime acts.
Madero Street walk
Mime angel on Madero street
Plaza de la Constitución, or simply Zócalo, is the heart of the Old Mexico. It has been a gathering place for Mexicans since Aztec times and it’s one of the largest city squares in the world.
Zócalo, the main plaza of Mexico City
Since a visit to pyramids was on my bucket list for Mexico, I was incredibly happy to discover the one right in the middle of the Mexico City. The Templo Mayor or The Great Temple of of Tenochtitlan lies just to the northeast of the Zocalo. 59 pesos get you an entrance not only to active archaeological site, but also to The Museum which houses the Templo Mayor Project and its finds.
Templo Mayor or Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan
An offering at Museo del Templo Mayor
Aztec goodies
Friendly squirrels in Chapultepec park
The city gets even better at night. After a long day walking the best thing is to treat yourself an authentic street taco and watch the city life just in front of you.
Casual Mexican dining + people watching at Salón Corona
What else is a must while in Mexico City? I’d say mezcal tasting. I was happy enough to have my dear friend Fabiola Santiago showing me the great place to try this tequila’s “country cousin” (no cocktails! drunk straight, served with sliced oranges).
Daily special at Bósforo Mezcalería
And a cherry on the top was my walk home, the illumination is just stunning in Mexico City at night!
Palacio de Bellas Artes, beautifully illuminated at night