CDMX has it all: culture, chaos, and food that will blow your mind. Here are 20 of my favorite spots — just a taste of what this city has to offer.

🇲🇽save + thank me later✨

📍 Ciudad de México (CDMX), México 

✈️ Less than 5 hours from NYC and suddenly you’re wandering pyramids, floating canals, and eating the GREATEST tacos of your life. I’m still drooling. Book that flight already.

1️⃣ Café Don Porfirio – The best view of Palacio de Bellas Artes. Tip: enter the Sears building across the street, take the elevator to the top floor, and thank me later. ☕️🏛️

2️⃣ Lucha Libre Night! – Absolute chaos in the best way. Pro tip: hostels always have events and outings so if traveling alone- book through one even if you’re not staying with them. Don’t forget your michelada and mask! 🥊🍺

3️⃣ Arca Tierra (Xochimilco) – A brunch + trajinera boat ride + chinampa (ancient floating garden) tour combo. Visit the chinampa, learn about sustainability, and enjoy an incredible farm-to-table feast. 🌿🛶

4️⃣ Teotihuacán Pyramids – Ancient history just a drive away. Climb, explore, and feel tiny in the best possible way. 

5️⃣ La Gruta Restaurant – Dine inside a cave near Teotihuacán! This reminded me so much of El Mesón de la Cava in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In La Greta, they still cook traditional dishes the same way ancient civilizations once did- a short walk away from the pyramids. 🔥🌮

6️⃣ Biblioteca Vasconcelos – I always recommend visiting libraries abroad. I went to Vaconcelos for a photo and ended up spending two hours reading Sacred Writings of the West. It’s a bit out of the way, but worth it if you have time.

7️⃣ Churrería El Moro – The best churros of your life. The last time I had some this good was in Spain. 🤤🍫

8️⃣ Expendio de Maíz Sin Nombre – No menu, no problem. The chef surprises you with 4+ creative courses. Bring about 800 pesos cash and an open mind. 🌽✨

9️⃣ Papel Picado Workshop (Xochimilco) – Learn how to make your own colorful papel picado — a true Mexican art form. 🎨

🔟 Grutas de Tolantongo – Worth the trip! Don’t just soak in the thermal baths — explore the waterfalls and caves. Stay overnight if you can. 🌊🏞️

1️⃣1️⃣ Xochimilco Floating Gardens – Hop on a trajinera, grab snacks + live music, and float through the canals. Pure joy. 🎶💐

1️⃣2️⃣ Milpa Alta Visit – Venture beyond the city center! I met locals preserving the ancient Nahuatl language — one of my favorite cultural moments. ❤️

1️⃣3️⃣ Try Chiles en Nogada – A patriotic dish filled with flavor and history. I had mine at El Cardenal San Ángel — perfection. 🇲🇽

1️⃣4️⃣ El Mayor Restaurant – Dine above the ruins of Templo Mayor. Come for the views and atmosphere, not necessarily the food. 🏛️☀️

1️⃣5️⃣ Free Walking Tour – Join one with Guru Walks! My favorite first-day ritual in any city. Great for stories, context, and meeting people. 🚶‍♀️📖

1️⃣6️⃣ Try “Ancient Caviar” (Escamoles) – Yes, ant eggs — and yes, they’re actually delicious! I had them as a dip for my chips. 🐜😋

1️⃣7️⃣ Dinner at Terraza Gran Hotel – Walk into this historic building and look up at the stained-glass ceiling. Dine with views for days. 💫🍽️

1️⃣8️⃣ Audiorama, Chapultepec Park – A peaceful, shaded oasis with soft music and benches for reading or journaling. Pure serenity. 🌳🎧

1️⃣9️⃣ Grutas de Tolantongo Waterfalls & Caves – Don’t stop at the pools — hike deeper for jaw-dropping scenery and a dose of adrenaline. 💦🪨

2️⃣0️⃣ La Casa de Toño – A local chain where I found the best horchata of my life. Simple, comforting, and everywhere you turn. 🥛✨

As a native New Yorker, I don’t say this lightly: few cities in the world match Mexico City’s energy, flavor, and heart. Nos vemos pronto, CDMX 🇲🇽