Gargiulo

We will have 4 free days in MC? What do you recommend we see? We thought (1) Teotihuacan Pyramids (we know its 50 min. outside of MC), (2) Chapultepec Castle & Anthropogy Museum (Could we do those two in one day?) and (3)Kahlo house and museum and National Palace to see Diego Rivera's murual (4) Xochimilco and (5) Olmedo Tour. Which of these the best and why? We will be in MC Feb 2004. Thank you

TioGringo

Hmm. You've got some good places here. I'd definitely pick Teotihuacan, though you won't be able to cram anything else in that day...

Chapultepec would also rank in my top 3, along with one you missed -- the National Museum of Anthropology.

The "why" is harder to answer. See my LONG reviews on the Epinions site to see why ;-)

National Museum of Anthropology:
http://www.epinions.com/content_123360218756

Chapultepec:
http://www.epinions.com/content_121594089092

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

Jed

We went to Teotihuacan in the morning, were back at 1PM, time enough to do something else. You can see my report on 3 days in MC (and copper canyon) by typing in "tripp" in the search box.

SusanInToronto

Personally I think it would be hard to see anything else on the day you go to Teotihuacan. It's a large site, and there isn't a lot of shade, so if you do a lot of walking (and climbing, which my husband did), you might be quite tired by the end of it.

I like the area around the zocalo to explore. There's an amazing building (Ministry of Public Education or something along those lines) which has many Diego Rivera murals on the walls surrouding the courtyard.

I love Mexico City - great place to explore!

JoyceL

Four days is enough time to see everthing on your list, plus a few additional sites.

If you get an early start, you can combine the Castle and Anthropolgy museum in one day. I did. On the same day, I also managed to visit the Modern Art museum and have a wonderful lunch at the Camino Real hotel. These places are all in walking distance of each other.

Xochimilco and the Olmedo museum are in the same area, so I suggest visiting them the same day. One day is ample time for doing this.

You do not have much scheduled for day 3. Since you will be near Zocolo (which is where the National Palace is), I suggest taking a tour around the temple ruins, and visiting the wonderful museum attached to the ruins.

If you are not too tired at night, try to see the Ballet Folklorico. Evening performances are Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Rugosan

Consider Teotihuacan an all day trip. Check with your hotel for guided tours, bus or individual. Guides usually stop for rest/refreshments at what I consider tourist traps. The only thing I might buy at such places is a soft drink. Yes, one can visit the National Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Castle in one day provided the castle is open. We made many trips to MC, and it was always closed for one reason or another. Finally one year,Bingo!,we lucked out and found it open. Besides the National Palace,there are other sites in the Zocalo district: National Cathedral, Templo Mayor museum, etc. The Kahlo house is in another district, Coyoacan, so save it for another day. Try and see the Ballet Focklorico at Palacio de Bellas Artes adjacent to Parque Alameda. Inquire at your hotel or buy the tickets in advance at the Bellas Artes box office. Have fun!

Marilyn

Most of your itinerary sounds great. I would suggest one day around the zocalo. See the Templo Mayor and the museum, then walk over to the Ministry of Education for the fabulous Diego Rivera murals. These are some of his very best and my personal favorites.

talavera_timbre

I'll tell you what we end-up doing every time we go: a day trip to Teotihuacan (this will wear you out; take bottled water, and try to eat at <<La Gruta>> restaurant, established behind the pyramid of the moon); splitting a day between Chapultepec and the Nat. Museum of Anthropology (museum admission is currently around $4 USD per person); spending an entire day at the Zocalo (remember that ID is required for entrance through the National Palace)---(if I remember correctly, the museum for the Templo Mayor was less than a buck-----and an excellent place to pause and use facilities, if necessary----don't forget to glance-out at the beautiful courtyard). The red double-decker sightseeing bus is the best deal: $10 USD for the entire day: you wear the wristband, and can get off and re-board at numerous stops (a bus comes by about every half an hour or so). This will take you to all of your destinations (except the Frida Kahlo house, I regret to admit). I know that the bus may sound silly, but wherever I go (NYC, Mexico City= wherever) I always make a special point to play "tourist" for a day, regardless of what people might think. Even the cities I've been to a dozen times----they all look so much different from up there (and you can't see the congestion of traffic surrounding you). Oh-----about the pyramids---that is a terrific place to haggle for souvenirs.....keep in mind, though, you will be overwhelmed by whistling flutes, onyx and jade objects, and silver jewelry (look for the .925 stamp) upon your descent from either pyramid. Remember to bargain! They enjoy this as much as we do! Also, if nothing from the vendors seems to catch your eye, there are humble little "booths" lined up in a row on the way out to the parking lot. The last time, I bartered my way into a hand-carved marble chess set. Also-----great deals upon exiting the castle, at the base of the hill----purchased on onyx doves windchime for a mere $2 USD. Feel free to contact me for pics: [email protected]. You will have an unforgettable time!

marilynl

If Saturday is one of your days, the Bazaar Sabado is always fun: the indoor shops have some wonderful crafts, and outside is an art fair. This is in the San Angel/Coyoacon area, so you could see some Frida sites, ie, the blue house, and some others, as well as the Trotsky museum, walking distance from the blue house.

caribbeanguy

I'm also recommend the Turibus (red double-decker sightseeing bus). You can check the itinerary, map, and atractions at: www.turibus.com.mx. There's some info in english.

TioGringo

Do you have any special interests? There are a lot of places that I might not rank in my top 10 "must see" sites for a 1st time visitor, but that are incredible places, nonetheless.

Folks interested in art or architecture could spend many happy months in Mexico City because there is just SO much to see and do. Few cities in the world have as many art museums as Mexico City. I love the sprawling National Museum of Art, which is located midway between the Zocalo and Bellas Artes (easy walk). Of course there are all the magnificent murals by Diego Rivera, Juan Clemente Orozco, David Siguieros, and others. The Contemporary Art Museum over near Chapultepec is excellent, but I also like the Franz Mayer Museum and the Rufino Tamayo Museum. Someone here mentioned the Dolores Olmedo Museum near Xochimilco --- that's another good place for arts afficianados. There's also a Popular Arts Museum and even an art gallery inside the Mexico City airport!

If you've got kids, there's lots to do around Chapultepec, including the zoo, the Papalote Childrens Museum (one of the best childrens museums I've ever seen), and a Six Flags amusement park.

4 days will just whet your appetite...

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com