Made res for Mexico City, (first time there) for the month of May 4 nights. Have another 3 nights before our flight leaves at 1:30PM from MEX. Other then Puebla, Oaxaca and SMA, yes I have traveled to these cities, where can we go, TAXCO 3 nights or stay in Mexico City?

Either Cuernavaca combined with Tepotzlan or Taxco. I would pick Taxco, it would be an interesting contrast to Mexico City.

You might consider Guanajuato.

Fra_Diavolo, loved Guanajuato. For this trip I was planning a side trip to Morelia. I see that it can take up to 6 hrs by bus and the airport in Morelia is 45 min away. Decided Morelia is another trip unless it is doable? As for Taxco or Cuernavaca, this could be done as a day trip from Mexico City. From what I'm reading, the hotels and restaurants in Taxco has mixed reviews.

Last August we stayed in Cuernavaca three nights. We planned a day trip to Taxco but found enough to do in the area to put that off for another time. Not everyone is as happy with Cuernavaca. We stayed at the Casa Colonial. Its a charmer with a nice garden and pool -- a nice place to relax in the afternoon. However, the street is noisy because of a nearby bus terminal, so ask for one of the rooms at the back. We stayed in one and didn't hear a thing.

Haven't been to Morelia and environs.

Taxco would be a long day trip from MEX. It is about 3 hours each way.

I second the vote for Cuernavaca. If you can swing it--stay at Las Mananitas (listed in 1000 Places to see before you die) excellent grounds and food.

In Feb we spent 4 days in Mexico City and then went to Guanajuato by bus. We wound up staying there Wed. afternoon and all day Thurs and Friday. This is a great samll city but we returned from BJX and didn't have to go back to Mexico City.
If you like museums you can easily spend the rest of the week in Mexico City with a side trip somewhere-Puebla?
I did a recent trip report on this forum.

bookmarking

Thanks for the great suggestions. We've decided to stay based in MC and do day trips. Any recommendations for restaurants in MC? Would truly appreciate your input as there are so many to choose from,

Cafe Tacuba which is withinn walking distance of the Zocolo-nice atmosphere and excellent food-reasonable. Sirenas-next to the Zocolo near the Aztec ruins- more upscale but the patio is very nice.
We had one good and one superior meal there for about $50.

Fonda el Refugio.

http://www.fondaelrefugio.com.mx/home.html

Charming colonial style restaurant with excellent food at the edges of the Zona Rosa. We go every time we're in MC.

For a nice day/side trip you could spend the day in Coayacan. A nice suberb with the Frida Kahlo museum and the Trotsky house. Also some great restaurants in the area.

SrFlojo We were looking for a hotel in the Coyocan area. We already have reservations for 4 nights at the Sheraton Centro Histrico. Unable to to find anything, went on Priceline again and they excepted my bid for 70.00 a night. Got the Sheraton Centro again,

Fra_Diavolo thanks for the tip on Fonda el Refugio.