Fodor's Expert Review Paseo de Montejo

North of downtown, this 10-block-long street was the place to reside in the late 19th century, when wealthy hacienda owners sought to outdo each other with the opulence of their elegant city mansions. They typically opted for the decorative styles popular in New Orleans, Cuba, and Paris (imported Carrara marble, European antiques) rather than any style from Mexico. The broad boulevard, lined with breadfruit, tamarind, and laurel trees, has lost much of its former panache—many mansions are now used as office buildings, though three are open to the public (the Palacio Cantón, which houses a museum focused on Maya culture, and Casa Gemela and Quinta Montes Molina, both of which have museums). Though its gilded age peak has passed, the street is still a lovely place to explore on foot or in a horse-drawn carriage. You can also enjoy a drink or meal at one of roughly a dozen restaurants with outdoor seating.