Mexico City Flights And Sights

Many who visit Mexico City compare it to the greatest cities in Europe, perhaps because its downtown is layered in 1,000 years of culture, with one civilization built upon another. Ancient ruins, their golden stones etched with prehistoric carvings, lie uncovered at the Templo Mayor, once the thriving center of the Aztec empire. Spanish colonial churches and the Municipal Cathedral stand nearby, their intricate Baroque façades adorning one of the world's largest plazas, the Zócalo. Mexico city is building its future, too, withas gleaming glass and steel towers in the thriving business district promiseinternational cuisine and world-class shopping.

Things to Do

In Mexico City's Historic Center, faded paintings and worn stone carvings of the Templo Mayor, reflect religious rites once celebrated at this Aztec temple. Stone goddesses and mysterious masks recovered from the ruins lie in the neighboring Museo del Templo Mayor. Nearby, Spanish conquistadors left their mark in the intricate spires of the Metropolitan Cathedral. See the work of Mexico's beloved artist at Museo Frida Kahlo. See why residents consider the enormous park Bosque de Chapultepec their playground. Contemplate the city's bygone empires on evening strolls through theZócalo, or plaza, a treasure trove of medieval Mexican architecture.

Shopping

Browse the 12 city blocks of Mexico City's Zona Rosa whose windows display antiques, jewelry and boutique clothing: heavy silver bangles, leather jackets and brightly-painted tiles. City markets buzz with locals shopping for the day's produce and household items. The Mercado de la Merced snakes through the city's historic center and includes hundreds of vendors selling luscious tropical fruits, spices, and colorful shawls and table linens.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Mariachi bands stroll Plaza de Garibaldi, performing traditional boleros or ranchera music on oversized guitars and brass instruments. The meticulously-dressed musicians, clad in black jackets, silver buttons and straw hats, epitomize the romance of rural Mexico while an audience of locals sip coffee at outdoor cafés. Traditional regional dance is performed at Ballet Folklórico de México, filling the stage with the finest dancers, whose vibrant skirts swirlaround their ankles.

Restaurants and Dining

The San Angel neighborhood's modest, traditional restaurants fill the air with the scents of slow-roasted pork, simmering onions and sautéed peppers, attracting Mexican families. The Polanco area updates traditional dishes, blending indigenous ingredients like cactus and yucca flowers with light, modern cooking techniques. The Centro Histórico draws crowds of locals and tourists to Mexico City's most popular restaurants, serving cuisine from every corner of the globe.

With a great selection of flights to Mexico City from American Airlines, planning a visit is convenient and stress-free. Known as the City of Palaces, this destination is full of history, culture and numerous outdoor pursuits. In fact, there is a delightfully diverse range of things to do in Mexico City, so even if you've been here before there's sure to be a new facet to experience.

Some of our favorite activities in Mexico City include touring the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Historic Center is the first, and features colonial-era architecture in buildings such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace. You'll also want to see the pre-Hispanic ruins of the Great Temple (Templo Mayor). Then fast forward through time periods to modern design and take in the Palace of Fine Arts and the Torre Latinoamericana, which soars over 600 feet high. The second World Heritage Site, Xochimilco Ecological Park, features canals connecting what are essentially floating gardens. This portion of Mexico City has been called the Venice of Mexico, because the canals can be toured by small boat.

Add a day of visiting museums to your list of things to do in Mexico City, because it's home to many truly significant institutions. Our favorites include the National Anthropology Museum, where you can see artifacts that demonstrate pre-Hispanic cultures. The National History Museum, located in Chapultepec Castle, is another can't-miss stop. We also recommend visiting the National Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum and the Frida Kahlo House and Museum. You can see many museums along with the Metropolitan Cathedral and other major attractions with a Mexico City Sightseeing Tour that lasts about six hours and includes all entrance fees.

Those who enjoy getting to know a place through outdoor explorations will find no shortage of activities in Mexico City that let you connect with nature. Hiking in the mountains and volcanoes just outside the city is a very popular -- and picturesque -- way to discover gorgeous views. For biking, kayaking and more hiking, visit the San Nicholas Totoplapan Ecological Park in the Valle de Monte Alegre.

If shopping is more your speed, you'll have plenty of things to do in Mexico City, too. Spend an afternoon window shopping for everything from high-end jewelry and designer clothing in boutiques to handcrafted art in streetside markets.

No matter how you'd like to explore this exciting and richly diverse destination, American Airlines makes it easy to fly to Mexico City. Start planning your trip today.