All Mexico Mexico City

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Mexico City

172 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Mexico City, Mexico

Updated October 3, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Mexico City

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Mexico City

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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Mexico City's Centro Histórico

Anchored by the Zócalo plaza and the architectural splendor of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City's historic center rightfully draws scores of visitors from around the world. If you look, smell, and taste carefully, you’ll also find a universe of culinary offerings that tells stories of immigration, adaptation, and imagination. With the help of Culinary Backstreets, we assembled a primer on eating and drinking your way through the district.

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Explore Mexico City, Mexico

Art 28
Museums And Collections 27
Aztec 27
History 19
Archaeology 17
Murals 15
History & Culture 15
Sculptures 12

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Recent Mexico City Activity

Stories About Mexico City

Podcast: Isla de Las Muñecas

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
Construction crews are cooperating with expert paleontologists as the site is developed and more bones are uncovered.

What Will Mexico City Do With 2,000 Mammoth Bones?

The fate of an enormous trove of fossils hangs in the balance.
by Luke Fater
A microbus at Olivar del Conde, Mexico City.

How Mexico City Crowdsourced a Map of Its Riotous Informal Bus System

The fourth episode of TED’s Far Flung podcast looks at the power of collective creativity.
by Anna Phelan
At the Xochimilco natural reserve in Mexico City, the site of artificial islands created by the Aztecs for agricultural purposes, people use flat-bottomed river boats to get around.

In Mexico City, the Coronavirus Is Bringing Back Aztec-Era ‘Floating Gardens’

Business is booming for farmers who plant on man-made islands.
by Amanda Gokee
“It’s wonderful to be a musician," says Jorge Galindo. "If I didn’t do it from the heart, I’d be better off as a street sweeper or driving a truck."

Street Musicians Have Turned Mexico City Into One Giant Music Venue

Not everyone welcomes the performances, but they're traveling far and taking risks to get by.
by Ellen Freeman
Farmers on a trajinera, a traditional flat-bottomed river boat.

How to Feed a Megacity Like the Aztecs

The chinampas that nourished Tenochtitlan may hold the key to better urban gardens.
by Reina Gattuso
The Weeping Woman.

How Mexico's Most Sorrowful Spirit Became a Cultural Phenomenon

As America's immigrant population grows, so does La Llorona's cultural stature.
by Winnie Lee
Researchers may have discovered the only recording of Frida Kahlo's voice...or maybe not.

Found: The Only Recording of Frida Kahlo’s Voice, Probably

In the recording, she likens Diego Rivera to a toad.
by Sabrina Imbler

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