Ron and I just finished a short stay in Mexico City where we attended an International Living conference. It’s easy to see why the conference was held here because Mexico City is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world. The conference was packed with information and we enjoyed visiting with many of the speakers. So, not wanting to miss any of it, we had only short chunks of time to get out on our own and explore.
Ron and Shelli enjoying the night out in Mexico City
However, within walking distance of our hotel were some of the most amazing monuments, plazas, and museums in the world. We found this exciting metropolis to be an amazing world-class mix of historic yet modern, glitzy yet carefree.
The Palace of Fine Arts is a cultural center located in the Historic Center of Mexico City. It was designated a UNESCO artistic monument in 1987.
The Palace of Fine Arts at night
The flight from Dallas to Mexico City was only about two-and-one-half hours. We landed at the Mexico City airport, easily sailed through customs, and headed out to find our shuttle that would take us to our hotel.
Our first observation of the city is that it is stunningly gorgeous. Many of the streets are narrow and cobblestoned and we couldn’t help but notice the beautifully-illuminated statues, plazas, and phenomenal architecture this capital city is known for. Aptly nicknamed the “City of Palaces,” many of these grand buildings are open to the public because they have been transformed into museums and art galleries.
The Benito Juárez monument is located at the Alameda Central Park in Mexico City.
We also marveled that, at 11:00 on a Thursday night, the well-lit streets were busy. Busy enough that it created a festive atmosphere. Different themes of music filled the air. It wasn’t blaring or loud – just lively, happy music.
Restaurants remained open and filled with late-night diners. Couples strolled hand-in-hand, joggers were getting in their last-minute run, and business people dressed in suits were still out enjoying the balmy weather and mild breezes.
During the day, Mexico City is a lot busier. Boulevards are typically crammed with autos, buses, and taxis, like any other major metropolis.
Traffic in downtown Mexico City can be congested at times.
Except on Sundays, that is. Sundays are considered family days, so many downtown streets are blocked off to allow families and their pets to spend the day together jogging, strolling, roller blading, or bicycling the wide boulevards, or just relaxing on one of the many beautiful park benches or around the large fountains.
Many streets close to traffic on Sundays in downtown Mexico City.
Downtown parks and plazas are filled with tents and food truck vendors. Booths for children’s crafts and face painting, local bands take turns on the outdoor stage, and dancers take to the streets. Spicy barbacoa, roasted corn on the cob, freshly-made tortillas, and varieties of peppers cooking on large grills. The smells are out of this world. The atmosphere is happy and lasts through the 10:00 pm fireworks display, after which people head home and the streets are opened to traffic once again.
In downtown Mexico City many of the streets are closed off to pedestrians on Sumday and the people come out to enjoy life.
Yes, we would have loved to have spent more time in Mexico City, and we have promised ourselves that we will return sometime soon — and when we return we will spend a lot more time here.
Just to name a few of our favorite details of our short visit: the architectural wonders within walking distance of our downtown hotel, including the Zocala and the Palacio de Bellas Artes Museum, the genuine friendliness and generosity of the Mexican people, the location, quality of the services, delicious food, and amenities at our Hilton Reforma Hotel, and the wide variety of ethnic and regional cuisine.
Salads in Mexico City are colorful and delicious.
One of the dessert tables at the Hilton Reforma in Mexico City
Our recommendation is to visit this phenomenal city if you ever have the chance. Mexico City is a colorful and fascinating place and relatively east to get to.
The historic Reforma section of metropolitan Mexico City
But for now, we’re headed north to the colonial highlands and a town called San Miguel de Allende. We’ll let you know what we find.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain
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