While in Mexico City, be sure to visit Chapultepec, a wooded park filled with water features and attractions for the whole family. The leafy area is one of the largest city parks in the Western Hemisphere, stretching across 1,695 acres (686 hectares). Hike up Chapultepec Hill and enjoy the views of the cityscape.
Take refuge from the afternoon heat in the shade of the many trees. Wander through the gorgeous Chapultepec Forest Botanical Gardens and study the contemporary works of art on display at the neighboring Museo de Arte Moderno. See the impressive Altar a la Patria monument and visit immense Chapultepec Castle at the top of the hill. The castle dates back to the 18th century and played a role in the Mexican-American War of 1847.
A little west is the Casa del Lago Juan José Arreola, a historic lakeside house that hosts concerts and events. Stroll around the scenic lake and bring your kids to the Chapultepec Zoo, where they’ll see jaguars and giraffes, among many other exotic creatures. At the northern side of the park stands the Museo Nacional de Antropología. Learn about the cultural history and the Mayan people of the region from its intriguing exhibits.
View the sculptures and modern artworks in the Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo and let your kids frolic in the adjacent Tamayo Playground. Head southwest for the Dolores Cárcamo Museum to see the artwork by prominent Mexican artist Diego Rivera, an iconic mural that was formerly submerged in water. Enjoy a meal at a lakeside café and relax at the Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres.
Find the forest between the zones of Anzures and La Condesa, in the western suburbs of Mexico City. From the city center, ride a bus or travel by metro to Chapultepec Station on the park’s eastern edge.