The 50 Coolest Things To Do in Mexico Citythatgaybackpacker.com /50-coolest-things-to-do-in-mexico-city-df/

There is no shortage of cool things to do in Mexico City – and here are THE 50 COOLEST, YEEEEEAAH.

#1. Meet DF’s hipsters at Bahia Bar

Whether you are a hipster yourself or you just like to stare at them, the #1 hipster hangout in Mexico City isBahia Bar, located just around the corner from Balderas metro station. Expect hipster music, hipsterdancing, hipster clothing, and hipster facial hair. Y’know, hipster stuff.

#2. Eat ice cream at Neveria Roxy

Neveria Roxy is an iconic ice cream joint located in the Condesa neighbourhood of DF. It’s been servinglocals ice creams and sorbets since 1946 and I highly recommend trying one of the Mexican fruit flavourslike mamey or zapote. Or go balls out, and order yourself a banana split. Yums.

Image by Carlos Mejia Greene

#3. Go gay clubbing at El Marrakech Salon

My very favourite of all the gay clubs in Mexico City, this place is super sweaty and super cheap. You canexpect a mix of Mexican songs and upbeat English dance numbers, and a whole lot of action on the dancefloor. Go midweek for 15 peso beers!

#4. Watch a Lucha Libre wrestling match

Pumped up men wearing shiny nylon costumes and beating the crap out of each other! What on earth

could possible go wrong? The arena has shows on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and you can grabyourself tickets from as little as 35 pesos.

Image courtesy of Phil King

#5. Sip on a chamoyada

If you get bored with the same old fruit smoothies, it’s about time that you take your smoothie drinkingexperience up a notch by consuming a chamoyada (otherwise known as a raspa). This uniquely Mexicanbeverage is essentially a smoothie (mango is particularly popular) but with added chilli, salt, and otherspices. Enjoy.

#6. Go boating on Chapultepec Lake

In the middle of Chapultepec Park (the largest city park in all of Latin America, I will have you know) thereis a glorious lake where you can go boating. When the sun is shining on a sunny Sunday afternoon, thereis nothing better than taking a boy (or girl) you fancy for a smoochy boat ride.

#7. Visit Frida Kahlo’s House

You can’t miss this iconic bright blue house in the middle of Coyoacan. For a small fee, you can tour thehome where Frida Kahlo spent her days growing up, where she spent years sick in bed, and where shelived with her husband, Diego Rivera, in her adult years.

Frida’s desk, innit.

#8. Eat tacos from the street

Like, obviously. And don’t listen to all of those “you’ll get a rumbly tummy” types. Put those tacos in yourmouth thick and fast. If you don’t understand the ingredients in Spanish, point to something and eat inignorant bliss.

#9. Get steamy at Sodome gay sauna

The premier gay sauna in Mexico City, and probably in all of Mexico, a sauna experience here is morethan a fumble in the dark in some steamy, mouldy, alley way. This place is plush, it has a nice bar (albeitwith somewhat overpriced drinks) and the go go dancers come out after midnight.

#10. Eat late night churros at El Moro

Why doesn’t every city in the world have a 24 hour churro place? Because not every city in the world is ashella awesome as DF. Choose between three varieties of equally delicious hot chocolate to eat yourchurros with, and be merry.

#11. Sip on a Paloma at your nearest bar

And ‘What is a Paloma?’ I hear you cry. It is the delicious combination of tequila and grapefruit soda, whichis great for somebody like me who finds tequila a little difficult to drink straight. But it still gets you realsquiffy.

#12. Climb the Angel of Independence

The Angel of Independence, or El Angel, is one of the most iconic structures in the whole city. Built to markthe 100th anniversary of Mexico’s War of Independence, my favourite thing about El Angel is that you can

climb it! And at that height you get an awesome view of this vast metropolis.

#13. Learn to cook like a Mexican

While you are eating all of the Mexican deliciousness that DF’s street vendors have to offer, spare athought for how miserable you will be when you are back home without any yummy Mexican food to eat.This is why you should book a Mexican cooking lesson at a reputable school or restaurant like Pujol orEscuela de Gastronomia Mexicana.

14. Rent an EcoBici

If the traffic in DF doesn’t entirely terrify you, then renting a bike using the city’s EcoBici system is anawesome way of getting round the city. It only costs around 400 pesos (£20) for the year, so if you are inthe city for a while, it’s also a very economical way of getting around.

#15. Take in the view at a rooftop bar

La Terraza in the trendy Condesa district has earned a reputation as the best rooftop bar in Mexico City,because, well, it is. Lounge under the huge parasols, order yourself one of the delicious cocktails on offer,and enjoy the view out over this beautiful part of DF.

#16. Enjoy some fine dining at Restaurante Pujol

Yes, Mexico City street food is unbelievably amazing, but this is a capital city, and it doesn’t hurt tooccasionally treat yourself to a slap up meal. For somewhere extra special, but still definitely Mexican,head to Resaturante Pujol and order the lobster tacos.

#17. Eat a tlacoyo

This is a typical Mexico City street food, and surprise surprise, it’s 100% delicious. You may also besurprised to find that it is made from corn – gasp. These oval shaped, thick tortilla like things are oftenmade with blue corn and typically come with nopales (cactus) and cheese on the top. These are cookeddry on the comal so they are actually pretty healthy too.

Ate half my tlacoyo before remembering to take a snap – oops.

#18. Dance like a Mexican

The Mexicans are such good dancers! Head to any plaza on the weekend and you are sure to find peopledancing on the street, and of course, you’ll find plenty of dancing in the clubs as well. I’m not a terribledancer but I find the intricate Mexican moves so hard to get down! Won’t stop me trying though…

#19. Visit the only Royal castle in North America

As I’m from the UK, I have seen my fair share of castles. But in Mexico, there are not so many on theground. Chapultepec Castle is not just a beauty of a building, but it was the home of actual Royalty. Learn

all about Mexico’s Royal past at this must see in Chapultepec Park…

#20. Visit Trotsky’s house

As you may or may not know, Trotsky sought political asylum in Mexico way back when, in an escape fromStalin’s regime. For a while he lived with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, but he also lived in a house withhis wife in Coyoacan. That house now acts as a museum that honours Trotsky’s legacy and promotespolitical asylum.

#21. Listen to Mariachi music

For an evening of Mariachi amazingness, you need to head to Plaza Garibaldi where all of the Mariachibands play. The restaurants here can be a little pricey, but if you are short of dolla then simply hang aroundin the plaza and soak up the not so relaxing sounds of accordions and trumpets.

Image courtesy of Stephen Coles

#22. Go antique shopping at La Lagunilla

Mexico City is full of amazing markets where you can buy all kinds of tat to take home with you. For thatextra special purchase head to La Lagunilla market on a Sunday, which has tonnes of antique items, andmany of them are actually really beautiful. It’s better than taking home a sombrero (which *nobody* wears)and a litre of tequila, right?

#23. Learn some Spanish

I know, I am one to talk – mi espanol es muy terrible. But the least you can do is learn a few simplephrases. In fact, you’re gonna need them because not everybody here speaks English and you’ll need afew handy phrases to order all of that delicious DF street grub.

#24. Eat yummy sweets at Dulceria De Celaya

I think it’s fair to say that the average Mexican is not shy when it comes to indulging a sweet tooth. If you’reinto everything sugary, Dulceria De Celaya needs to be #1 on your agenda. This place has been standingsince 1874, yo – it’s a genuine institution. Order the cornbread pudding as though your life depends on it.BECAUSE IT DOES.

Image by Kent Wang

#25. Dance your socks off at Patrick Miller

I don’t know who this Patrick Miller guy is, but I sure do like the choons that he spins. This is one of themost popular nightclubs in DF, which usually spins 80s and 90s tracks. The beer is cheap, the dance flooris always full, and the crowd are always out for a good time.

#26. Get arty at Soumaya Museum

This is one of the most impressive buildings in the city, that kinda looks like is been dropped into DF from

another planet. A structure of swirling aluminium, the museum plays host to a huge number of European artworks. And admission is free!

Museo Soumaya by Raban Haaijk

#27. Consume too many ceviche tostadas at Coyoacan’s market

Seafood fan? Then you will not want to miss the market in Coyoacan, where there is a stall famous forselling seafood tostadas. The ceviche is particularly delightful and the pulpo (octopus) also seems to be ahit with the local crowd.

#28. Introduce yourself to pulque

You’ve heard of tequila, you’ve heard of mescal – but have you heard of pulque? This is an alcoholicbeverage also made from the agave plant, and it resembles fruit flavoured semen. Don’t say I didn’t warnyou but do be sure to check out the many hip pulquerias in Mexico City.

Pulque by katiebordner

#29. Watch a movie at the Cineteca

When I was living in DF, this very quickly became one of my favourite spots. If you love movies, you willlove it hard, and if you don’t, you’ll probably still love it. This place screens movies from all around theworld and there are often outdoor screenings too. And at 40 pesos a ticket, the price cannot be beaten.

#30. Listen to classical music in Chapultepec Park

Mexico City is not that crazy, I promise you. But big city life is big city life and when you feel like you needto escape the honking of horns and the smell of car fumes on the streets, head to the Audiorama. This is asmall section of Chapultepec Park that has classical music pumped into it, and where you can sit andsimply let those worries slide off your shoulders.

#31. Get literary at Jose Vasconcelos library

I love me a bit of library action, and Jose Vasconcelos may just be the very best library I’ve ever been to. Itcost a cool $100 million to build, and it kinda looks like it did. This structure is emphatically modern and anawesome place to browse through some books (durr) or get some work done.

#32. Do some fancy shopping in Polanco

If you are a fancy pants type with money to burn, I have absolutely no idea how you made it to my humblelittle website. But the place you need to indulge in a little retail therapy is the neighbourhood of Polanco.Just north of Chapultepec Park, this is where you’ll find all of Mexico’s pricey designer fashion boutiques.

#33. Get to know the local fruits

I don’t have a sweet tooth but I do love fruit. I eat it at breakfast every morning, and I love to try new localfruits wherever I am. In Mexico, I’ve encountered fruits here that I’ve never even heard of before, likemamey and chicozapote. Do yourself a favour, head to a market, and gobble them down.

#34. Eat a torta de tamal for breakfast

You’ve heard of tamales right? Delicious corn mush and other delicious things wrapped up in a corn huskand steamed. Well, in Mexico City it is very common to put that corn mush deliciousness inside a bread rolland eat it for breakfast. It’s a filling start to the day that is sure to give you plenty of energy until lunchtime.

#35. Climb a freakin’ volcano

Yup, that’s right, you can climb a volcano in Mexico City. Alright, it’s not exactly *in* the city but it’s not farout, and if you love to hike or climb then this is an awesome day trip. Iztaccihuatl, the name of the volcano,is pretty much impossible to say, but you can call it the sleeping woman, and it’s the third highest mountainin all of Mexico.

#36. Spend a day boating in Xochimilco

Xochimilco is an area in the south of the city that is most famous for its network of canals and the boat tripsyou can take there – think of it as the Venice of Central America. Let your guide paddle you gently alongthe canal as you sip on a beer and listen to mariachi music.

#37. Eat a tortilla fresh from the tortilleria

Mexico City’s street food is out of this world. While you are in DF, I advise you to eat everything you see,

and don’t overlook the basics like tortillas. Eating a tortilla solo might seem kinda plain, but when it is freshout of the tortilleria, there is nothing quite like it. Shake on a little salt and eat away.

#38. Get lost in La Merced market

I love market culture, but in all honesty, La Merced terrified me on my first visit. That was on Christmas Eveand the place was heaving with people trying to buy Christmas gifts and the ingredients for their Christmasdinners. But like a rash, this place grew on me. I got to understand the labyrinthine walkways and itbecame my go-to place for shopping because you can find *everything* there.

#39. See a tonne of animals at Chapultepec Zoo

Nothing makes me feel like a big kid quite like a day at the zoo. Head to Chapultepec Park and you will finda zoo that is full of animals from all over the world. And the best part? There is absolutely no admissionfee.

Mr Turtle at Chapultepec Zoo

#40. Buy something on the Metro

The Metro that covers all of Mexico City is a wondrous thing. As well as being a convenient, reliable, andinexpensive way of getting around, you can also purchase tonnes of swag on your journeys. The sellerstout their wares illegally, of course, but in spite of this they have their own union – I love it!

#41. Eat Pozole like it is going out of fashion

One of the greatest foods to come out of this great country is pozole – a soup/stew affair that can beserved in the white, red, or green variety, and that usually contains pork meat. Pozolerias can be found allover the city, so grab a table and tuck in.

Image courtesy of Renee Suen

#42. Admire Diego Rivera’s frescas at Bellas Artes

Even the most art adverse people have heard of Diego Rivera, and you shouldn’t leave Mexico City beforeyou take a close up look at his works. At Bellas Artes in the city centre, you can admire some of his mostcelebrated frescas.

#43. Eat Tacos al Pastor when you are super drunk

Every city has its drunk food. In London, you are likely to grab a doner kebab when you are steamin’ but in

Mexico City it has to be tacos al pastor. This is spiced pork meat that is layered on a spit and cooked. Themeat is then sliced and placed on top of tacos, often with a piece of pineapple to boot.

Image courtesy of Daniel Roy

#44. Experience pre-Columbian Mexico in Teotihuacan

Mexico is a country full of history and if you like yourself some ruins, you sure are in luck. Dating back tothe Aztec centuries, these are the most significant pyramids in all of Mesoamerica. Just don’t go on a

Sunday because that’s when Mexicans can go for free and it’s hella busy.

Image courtesy of Jose Luis Ruiz

#45. Visit Luis Barragan’s house and studio

“Why do I wanna visit some dead dude’s house?” I hear you ask. Well, this is not just a house but thehouse of one of Mexico’s most important architects, and his design aesthetics are reflected throughout. Iteven got that UNESCO wotsit in 2004. One for architect buffs, for sure.

#46. Feast on ants’ eggs

That’s right – ants’ eggs. If you think of them as the caviar of Mexico, you might swallow more easily.Harvested from the roots of the agave plant, these eggs are considered a delicacy in Mexico. Order withgarlic and butter, and chow down.

Ants’ eggs! Image courtesy of Eddie O

#47. Buy original art in San Angel

San Angel is a cute neighbourhood just a stone’s throw from Coyoacan. On weekends, the leafy streetsand small plazas fill up with art sellers. It’s a wonderful sight to see so many brightly coloured artworkslining the streets, even if you decide not to make a purchase.

#48. Pick up some Mexican swear words

The Spanish language does not begin and end with Buenos Dias and Buenas Noches. To communicatelike a Mexican, you have to swear like a Mexican. Find a Mexican chum and ask them what “Cogete unburro!” means.

#49. Drink coffee at El Jarocho

The one thing that I wish Mexico City had more of is a café culture. This city is more about the street foodthan the cafes, but one place where you can get an awesome cup of coffee is El Jarocho in Coyoacan.With outdoor seating and late night opening hours, this is the place to hang out when you don’t know whatto do with yourself on a Sunday night.

Image courtesy of Aldar Adame

#50. Get all artsy at the Museo Jumex

Mexico has an incredible arts culture and Mexico City sits right at the heart of that culture. The Jumexcollection is spread over five floors and is thought to be one of the most important art collections in LatinAmerica. Hop along on a Friday for free admission!

So, tell me – where is your favourite place to hang out, grab a bite, and experience incredible MexicoCity?

That Gay Backpacker is a gay travel blog that records the homo travel adventures of David, a gay, full timetravelling, Brit.