Meade - Moon Mexico City

The pedestrian street Madero in the Centro Histrico ()

Mexico City occupies a piece of land that seems destined for conflict and grandeur. Blanketing a broad alpine valley, it was once Tenochtitln, an island city that was the most populous in the Americasand by some estimates, the worldduring the 15th century. Razed during the Spanish conquest, Tenochtitlns ruins lie beneath the modern metropolis, which covers 1,480 square kilometers and has a population over 21 million.

Amid the urban sprawl, there are lovely residential enclaves, architectural landmarks, and a multitude of cultural treasures, from dazzling pre-Columbian artifacts to artist Frida Kahlos childhood home. For those who love to eat, there is no better place to explore Mexicos varied palate. The citys famous food scene runs the gamut from relaxed street-side taco stands to elegant fine dining.

Mexico City defies expectations. Its a city of contrasts, where baroque palaces rise above streets noisy with traffic, old-fashioned coffee shops filled with seniors sipping caf con leche stand beside generic convenience stores, and contemporary art galleries adjoin hole-in-the-wall bakeries and auto-repair shops. Travelogues and photo essays struggle to capture the true essence of a place so vast and multifaceted. Many of the descriptors most closely associated with the capitalcrime, pollution, povertybelie a city that is beguilingly low-key and friendly, rarely gruff, and invariably worth the effort it takes to explore. In this and every way, Mexico City is a place you must experience to understand. Come expecting one city and youll likely find another, but the contrasts, both jarring and delightful, define this mad metropolis, one of the most singular and marvelous places on Earth.

Museo del Templo Mayor: Mexico Citys tumultuous history is visible at the ruins of the Templo Mayor, a great temple-pyramid that was destroyed during the 16th-century Spanish siege of Tenochtitln. The museum showcases artifacts recovered from the archaeological site (

Palacio de Bellas Artes: With its grand marble facade and opulent art deco interior, the incomparable Palacio de Bellas Artes is one of Mexicos most striking buildings, as well as a keynote arts institution ().

Museo Nacional de Antropologa: Take a grand tour of the many pre-Columbian cultures in Mexico through artifacts and art. The most impressive rooms are dedicated to the people who lived in Teotihuacn and in what is today Mexico City ().

Museo Frida Kahlo: A superbly talented painter and a beloved icon the world around, Frida Kahlo is celebrated at this lovely and intimate museum housed in her childhood home ().

Teotihuacn: Admire the views from the top of two spectacular temple-pyramids at the countrys most-visited archaeological site, a day trip just outside the city limits ().

Cantina Culture: These relaxed neighborhood bars are quintessential to Mexico City. Spend a few hours enjoying the convivial atmosphere with a shot of good tequila in hand (

Classic Cuisine: Mexico Citys tremendous food scene is reason alone to visit the city. Youll find ace eats in every price range and in every neighborhood, from old cantinas and street-front taqueras to fine dining ().

Traditional Markets: The citys colorful and atmospheric markets are where locals shop for everything from home goods to used LPs. If you only have time to visit one, make it Mercado de la Merced ().

Pulque: This fizzy fermented beverage, made from the sap of the maguey cactus, is a capital tradition. As the younger generation discovers this drink, its experiencing a deserved revival ().

Contemporary Art: With the opening of new museums and the continued excellence of many long-running galleries, theres never been a better time to be an art lover ().