Exploring Mexico City During the 2025 MEA Convention

One of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Mexico City region, Teotihuacán contains some of the largest pre-Hispanic pyramids in all of Mexico. The site contains many popular constructions, including the Palace of the Plumed Butterfly, which showcases various columns of winged creatures, and the awesome Pyramid of the Sun, which sits at the heart of the small city.
Do not forget bringing along your own bottled water, wearing sensible shoes and applying sunscreen as the site provides very little shade.
Teotihuacán is about 30 miles northeast of Mexico City. You can access the site via Turibus services. We recommend booking this tour on the official Turibus CDMX web site.
The 11-hour tour costs 999 Mexican pesos (around USD60), and the 7-hour tour costs 599 Mexican pesos (around USD36).

Before Spanish colonization, Templo Mayor served as the religious center for the Aztec people. When Spanish conquistadors arrived in the early 16th century, the temple was among many structures that were destroyed and a new cathedral was built on top of the ruins. It wasn't until 1978 that the temple dedicated to the Aztec gods Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc (gods of war and water) was unearthed in the heart of Mexico City.

Today, the area remains an active archeological site and the adjoining museum houses thousands of artifacts, including 2,500 wooden objects from the site. You'll find the Templo Mayor and its museum located one block northwest of the Zócalo metro station. The museum and ruins are open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs 95 Mexican pesos (about USD6).

Located within the sprawling Chapultepec Forest, the Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Museum of Anthropology) showcases artifacts from Mexico's pre-Columbian era, dating from about 100 B.C. to A.D. 1521. Housed within the facility’s 22 rooms are artifacts, including the famous Aztec Calendar Stone, known as Piedra del Sol, as well as the ancient statue of Xochipilli, the Aztec god of art, games, beauty, dance, and maize (among others). The museum offers a look at how tradition, culture and life were formed in all regions of Mexico, and it also educates visitors on how Mexico’s indigenous descendants live today.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is 95 Mexican pesos (around USD6)

The main park in Mexico City, Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Forest) was once the temporary home of the Aztec empire after its citizens migrated to modern-day Mexico City in the 13th century. Today, the 1,600-acre Chapultepec is Mexico City's largest park and is popular among families seeking respite from the busy and crowded city.

Divided into three sections, the park is home to many cultural interests, such as the presidential residence, the former presidential palace, a zoo, and several museums (including the highly recommended Museo Nacional de Antropología). The park also hosts numerous military monuments and effigies of Aztec kings, as well as restaurants and playgrounds, plus lots of green space for stretching.

One of the best-known museums in Mexico City exhibits the life and work of its most famous artist: Frida Kahlo. The museum, located in the Coyoacan suburb, is also known as La Casa Azul (The Blue House), and was Kahlo's former residence. It hosts some impressive examples of her works, but travelers say that the best part of visiting the house is seeing where the artist lived and painted with her husband, artist Diego Rivera. Along with paintings by both artists, folk art, photos, documents, books and furnishings, the house also displays personal objects.

Recent visitors to the property said it's a must-see for fans of the artist, saying it shows her life and work in a very personal light. Reviewers were particularly impressed with the display of her clothing and dresses. If you want to take photos, there is an additional modest “permit” fee. 
Tickets cost 320 Mexican pesos (about USD19) for adults. Discounts for students are available with proper ID. Note that no in-person tickets are sold; tickets must be purchased online in advance. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (on Wednesdays the museum opens at 11 a.m.). You'll find the museum in the Coyoacan neighborhood in the southern part of the city.

This folk-art museum features handicrafts from all across Mexico and details the country's history and its many cultures. If you want to find out more about the country’s indigenous communities, this is the place to go, according to travelers. Exhibits include glasswork from Tecali, pottery from Michoacán, masks from Chiapas and alebrijes, the colorful painted animal figures from Oaxaca, among other treasures. Make sure to take time to admire the building itself – the 1920s art deco building was the former headquarters of the fire department.

Recent visitors said this is a lovely place to enjoy traditional folk art and say not to miss the gift shop for souvenirs – it has unique, high-quality pieces that you won't find elsewhere. Reviewers also praise the friendly, knowledgeable staff.

It is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets cost 60 Mexican pesos (about USD3.50). Kids and younger enjoy free admission. On Sunday, admission is free for all.

From exceptional architecture to more than 66,000 featured works, Museo Soumaya is one of Mexico City’s most iconic museums. Museo Soumaya’s main goal is to preserve and exhibit Mexico and Europe’s artistry. Currently, it houses the largest collection of works by Auguste Rodin outside of France, in addition to artwork by Diego Rivera, Titian, Picasso, Monet and more. 

Beyond the art, the architecture alone is worth seeing. The exterior of the six-story building is wrapped in mirrored hexagons, and the building is the brainchild of Mexican architect Fernando Romero. 

Admission to the museum is free, and you can check out the exhibits daily between 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Luis Barragán was a prominent Mexican architect renowned for his modernist style, and his former home – which was first constructed in 1947 and now functions as a museum – is one of the finest examples of his work. The museum is an off-the-beaten-path attraction that travelers say will please all, even those not schooled in architectural history. The house is known for its vivid colors, brilliant use of natural light and its impressive garden with a maze of corridors and trees. In 2004, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The museum is open everyday except Sunday. To visit, you must book a self-guided or guided tour (available in Spanish and English). Self-guided visits are only available on Thursdays at select times.