Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world. As a matter of fact, it is even bigger than New York City. The magic of the city lies within the creatives the live within it. Founded by the conquistadors, this has a long ancient town has history way beyond its Spanish colonialism. The public transportation is safe and we successfully maneuvered the town by UBER. Wanna learn more about CDMX?! Here is my travel guide to Mexico City.

Where to Stay

I found an epic “Wes Anderson” inspired condo in Roma Norte, a super hipster neighborhood and safe for tourists. We stayed in Casa Oliva | Biznaga condo… Check out this Airbnb here! Two bedrooms and two bathrooms were perfect for us two solo travelers who shacked up together for a little WFH stay.

Things to Do

One trip for just a few days will scratch your itch and I think it is enough to visit this city at a time. We stuck to a few neighborhoods we knew were safe, even though Mexico City is notably safe for most. There are all sorts of events (ahem Day of the Dead), concerts, and I recommend planning your trip around their music festival scene. But what else is there to do?! Maybe some off the beaten path things or touristy things that are actually worth the line.

Vintage Hunting

Frida Kahlo Museum

Frida Kahlo is a famous Mexican painter who resided in Mexico City in the 1900s. She is best known for some of her art seen above. I remember visiting a cafe in Antigua, Guatemala as a kid and even learned about her in my art history classes in school. If you ever wanna tour her home turned museum, check it out right here in Mexico City. Make sure to book ticket ahead of time as it is a popular tourist spot for tourists and locals.

Inside the “casa azul” or “blue house” are the collections of both Frida and her late husband who was also a famous artists, Diego Rivera. Not only do the collections include iconic pieces of their art but also artifacts from their lives and an extraordinary look into the mind and space of internationally renowned artists. Takes around an hour and a half to walk through.

House of Tiles

This landmark is called the House of Tiles is a palace from the 1700’s, once home to the Counts of the Valley of Orizaba. In the 19th century, the building was handed over to an elite society called the Jockey club and then a workers house called Casa del Obrero Mundial. In 1917, a California investor company called Sanborns bought it and remains in their possession to this day.

Head out in the morning to explore and start your day grabbing coffee at Finca Don Porfirio. Then check out the Palacio de Bellas Artes that you’ll have a perfect rooftop view over while waiting for your coffee. The cafe is inside the Sears directly across from the museum. Then walk over and check out the house. You can eat in their restaurant or take your pictures and bounce. We shopped in the Bellas Artes area, checked out a pop up shop, and walked around the area before Ubering to the Polanco area to check out Xinu perfumes.

Luxury Shops

Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world, making it a center for luxury and spots to splurge on luxury fashion. If this is your vibe, wander around the area. We Ubered over to Xinu Perfumes, a high end perfumery whose showroom screams I am about to spend some cash lol. Their botanical gardens are just outside the windows of the room and the large tables are aesthetically decorated with flay lays describing the clean, recipes and sustainable facts about reusing the packaging. It’s the rockstar treatment that of course makes me through down the platinum card!

Other stores we explored were way out of my price range but super fun to shop at. They had super trendy fashion, eclectic home goods, and iconic art pieces. I took photos of the tags and some of the clothes I swooned over so enjoy this mini fashion haul that stayed right on the rack.

Eats

Mexico City, aka CDMX, has a famous foodie scene. You can find damn near any cuisine you are craving but we are in Mexico right?! Check out these restaurants that left my jaw on the ground and like 20 pounds heavier than when I got there.

• La Pitahaya Vegana- vegan pink tortillas

• Blanco Colima- Upscale cocktail lounge and bistro

Tenochtitlan Ruins

Mexico City was built on the Aztec ruins above the ancient city of Tenochtitlan. And to go right to it, yes there were human sacrifices, colonialism, and the fall of an empire that makes this day trip both tragic and mysterious. I can only imagine living in a pagan society so long ago. But the story lives on through what has lasted the test of time. Click here to learn how to visit.

Las Grutas De Tolantongo

These natural pools and river have become Insta famous in the past couple years and you can see why. Las Grutas de Tolontango a four hour drive from Mexico City. Making it the perfect day trip. Spend the day exploring the multitude of pools, waterfalls and rivers that are like bath water. This is on my list for next time I am there. Click here to read all about Eva Darling’s experience here!

For a first timer, this is a baller list of things to do in Mexico City. CDMX is full of beautiful souls and sophistication. Prices for stays are relatively $100-$200/night. There are definitely ways to do the city for less, but this is like NYC, boujee AF!