108 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Mexico City - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Mexico City

Mexico City, Mexico

La Isla de las Muñecas (Island of the Dolls)

An island filled with hundreds of hanging, decomposing, decapitated dolls.

Mexico City, Mexico

La Casa Azul

Frida Kahlo's childhood home, now a museum of her life and works.

Mexico City, Mexico

Mercado de Sonora

Superstitious? Discover the witchy side of Mexico through its largest esoteric market.

Mexico City, Mexico

Cafebrería El Péndulo

Part bookstore, part cafe, and part forest.

Mexico City, Mexico

Biblioteca Vasconcelos

A jaw-dropping "megalibrary" that turns book-browsing into a geometric adventure.

Mexico City, Mexico

Soumaya Museum

66,000 pieces of art, donated by one of the world's richest men.

Mexico City, Mexico

Santuario Nacional del Angel de la Santa Muerte

A church dedicated to the Mexican skeleton saint.

Mexico City, Mexico

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo House Studio Museum

The famous artist couple lived and worked here, in two different houses separated by a bridge.

See All 108 Things to Do in Mexico City See All 108 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in Mexico City

Pulque

Tequila's ancient, fermented cousin is making a comeback in Mexico City.

Dorilocos

At last, a street snack that brings together Doritos, veggies, pickled pig skin, and gummies.

Toloache

The Mesoamerican plant is used as a hallucinogen, medicine, and aphrodisiac.

Maguey Worm

This protein-rich legacy of the Aztecs makes for a savory taco filling.

See all 5 things to eat in Mexico City See all 5 things to eat in Mexico City

Atlas Obscura Trips

Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure

Immerse yourself in the complex cultural identity of Mexico City through its street food, bustling markets, and well-seasoned history of gastronomic traditions.

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Stories
About Mexico City

Researchers may have discovered the only recording of Frida Kahlo's voice...or maybe not.

Found: The Only Recording of Frida Kahlo’s Voice, Probably

In the recording, she likens Diego Rivera to a toad.

by Sabrina Imbler

The author's finished doll.

How to Craft Your Very Own Version of Mexico's 'Dapper Queen of Death'

La Catrina is an icon of Día de Muertos and the focal point of this doll-making workshop.

by Ariel Sophia Bardi

Chef Oliverio prepares pan de muerto.

Meet a Baker Giving Life to Día de los Muertos Celebrations

Oliverio Xicotencatl offers a glimpse at the busiest time of the year at his bakery.

Sponsored by Chase Sapphire

Posada's <em>Gran Calavera Eléctrica</em> anticipates electric trolleys being introduced to Mexico City. In it, a standing skeleton hypnotizes a seated one.

The Endlessly Adaptable Skeletons of José Guadalupe Posada

Calaveras created by the Mexican artist have been repurposed for generations, with wildly varying intent.

The remains in a burial under Mexico City appear to have been arranged in a spiral.

Found: A Spiral Mass Grave in Mexico City

Evidence of an elaborate ritual 2,400 years ago.

by Vittoria Traverso

February 2, 2018

This temple has been hiding under the center of Mexico City for centuries.

Found: An Aztec Temple Hiding Under the Streets of Mexico City

Along with 32 sets of human neck bones.

by Sarah Laskow

The opening scene of the Bond film <em>Spectre</em>, showing a Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City.

Mexico City’s New Day of the Dead Parade is Based on a James Bond Film

The cultural event first appeared in "Spectre."

by Simon Schatzberg

November 11, 2016

La Condesa neighborhood of Mexico City

The Mysterious Siren Behind Mexico City's Junk Collectors

The woman's recorded voice has been heard all over South America, and maybe even farther.

September 29, 2016