Museo Soumaya
Credit : Philip Whitcombe
Audette
Credit : Maureen Martinez-Evans
Polanco
Lined with designer boutiques , sleek apartment buildings and art galleries , Polanco is noted as one of the most upscale neighborhoods in the city and is nicknamed the Beverly Hills of Mexico City . Located 10 minutes by Metro from downtown Mexico City , Polanco borders the rolling green beauty of Chapultepec , the city ’ s largest park with a lake , a castle and a zoo . Start your journey at the glittering silver facade of Museo Soumaya , a free museum filled with an exhaustive collection of European and Latin American art . Continue to Museo Nacional de Antropologia , a beloved anthropology center that displays an intriguing array of pre-Hispanic artifacts . It ’ s difficult to pare down all the ritzy shopping options . Still , Antara Fashion Hall offers a collection of shops like Carolina Herrera , AllSaints and Calvin Klein in an open-air mall . Relax in Parque Lincoln and enjoy sculptures , a pond and an aviary in this small nature spot . Enter the understated elegance of Pujol , considered one of the best restaurants in the world , for the ultimate Mexican meal . Try the multicourse tasting menu but don ’ t miss the famous mole madre dish . Grab chic respite at Camino Real Polanco . The hotel boasts modern architecture , is surrounded by a garden and a pond , and includes an extensive buffet breakfast .
La Condesa
Quaint art deco buildings , sidewalk cafes , street art and leafy streets give La Condesa a hip , bohemian vibe . The central location makes hopping the Metro or grabbing an Uber to the neighborhood easy . Stroll under the purple splendor of jacaranda trees and stop in the bustling central plaza of Parque México . This popular green oasis features cascading fountains , small lakes , tropical gardens , sculptures and a refurbished open-air forum that often showcases dance collectives , artisan vendors and live music . Don ’ t miss the Audiorama in a secluded corner of the park ; the area has a silence policy , meditative music , loungers and books to borrow for reading . A couple of blocks away , Parque Espana supplies quiet paths lined with cypress trees and an enclosed zona canina where you can watch dozens of happy dogs playing . La Condesa is known for its bookstores so don ’ t miss Under The Volcano , a quirky English bookstore with a selection of used , classic and obscure titles . It ’ s above the Yellow Garden , so you can enjoy a beverage with your book . Check out Maque , a scenic cafe in a sand-colored Art Deco building serving breakfast and pastries on a leafy patio . Taste an alternative take on tacos at El Autentico Pato Manila , which dishes up Filipino-inspired duck tacos , duck wontons and duck tortas . Stay at Maria Condesa to continue the arty vibe .
Roma
A short walk from La Condesa , the Roma neighborhood showcases a similar cool , art-focused atmosphere . Roma was home to the city ’ s aristocracy over a century ago and now its gentile avenues are headquarters for artists and trendy restaurants . This sprawling neighborhood is divided into three sections , Roma Norte , Roma Sur and La Romita but most of the restaurants , shops and galleries are located in Roma Norte . Kick off your visit at Museo Ojecto del Objeto ( The MODO ). This museum tells the fascinating tales of the daily objects that have accompanied the lives of Mexicans over the last 200 years . Concert posters , drinks and mirrors were the subjects of a few of the past exhibits . Enter the grand building of the Casa Universitaria del Libro for a glimpse of how Mexican culture is defined through books . Stop by Galeria Mascota for views of art from emerging artists from around the globe and spend some time in the spot ’ s lovely courtyard . Shop for handmade leather bags crafted in Spain at Audette and then relax under the art-covered walls of Paramo . The tightly packed tables invite easy conversations while enjoying the restaurant ’ s signature , eclectic chalupa options with toppings like pineapple vinaigrette . Rest your head at Brick Hotel , a centrally located cosmopolitan property with a fantastic on-site restaurant .
Coyoacán
Decked out with beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets , Coyoacán oozes old-school charm . Famously known for the colorful homes of artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera , Coyoacán is also the oldest neighborhood in Mexico City . The locale has its own Metro stop for a quick trip from the city center . Start at its most iconic landmark , Museo de Frida Kahlo or Casa Azul , the vibrant blue house where the artist was born , lived and died . View Frida ’ s extensive collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts and her personal effects and artworks . At Museo Diego Rivera , Anachucalli , the museum ’ s pyramid-shaped structure
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 24 SUMMER 2024