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National Institute for History and Archaeology (INAH)

Address: Frontera 53, San Angel, Mexico City Phone: (55) 5286 1933 Website: http://dti.inah.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3022&Itemid=359

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National Institute for History and Archaeology (INAH)

Address: Frontera 53, San Angel, Mexico City Phone: (55) 5286 1933 Website: http://dti.inah.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3022&Itemid=359

A government run tour operator in the city, offers walking tours of most city neighborhoods, led by an English-speaking guide. Spanish tours also available on request. Their brochures and travel booklets offer a plethora of knowledge about the city and its rich historic and cultural heritage. Specialty: Museums and archaeological and historical sites.

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Bestours

Activity

Address: Hamburgo 182 bis, Mexico City Phone: (55) 5514 3080

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Turisbus

Activity

Website: http://www.mexicocity.gob.mx/index.php?idioma=en

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Plaza de la Constitución (El Zócalo)

road

The third largest public square in the world. A display of some of the city’s finest monuments, including the impressive National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Contains a large Mexican flag in the center of the square, believed to be the overseer of unity within the Mexican Republic. A large variety of social and cultural events takes place here, ranging from the wildest concerts to the wildest political demonstrations. This plaza is the central point of the historic district, a place you should start your journey from and regroup at, at the end of the day, as it centrally links all of Mexico City and its important landmarks.

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National Palace (Palacio Nacional)

Palace

A palace echoing with the grandeur of the colonial Spaniards. It served as the residence of the Spanish Viceroy until the Spanish were overthrown and Mexico gained independence, when it gained the status of the President’s House. Today, however, it serves as a gallery space for some of Diego Rivera’s murals, which take you on an epic journey through the history of Mexico, from pre-colonial to the present day city. Free entrance and free tours in English are provided to groups - ask for them at the reception desk.

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Metropolitan Cathedral

Churches

An absolute delight for the history-lover! Experience a different kind of Spanish architecture, comprised of the European High Renaissance merged with some elements from the remains of Islamic architecture back in Spain, namely domes and square towers. The building presents a beautiful façade, and the interior is none the less charming, and it is at times difficult to comprehend what style of architecture it actually belongs to – classical set within vernacular Mexican? An odd context, perhaps, but the impact of the entire construction is so intense and so mystifying that it makes for at least a good couple of hours well-spent studying and photographing it. A must-visit for history and architecture geeks! Admission is free, and for a small charge of 12 pesos you are allowed to visit the upper levels of the bell towers for breathtaking panoramic views of the public square and capture amazing skylines from a bird’s eye view.

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Templo Mayor

Temple

The site for an ancient temple built by the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan, and destroyed subsequently by the invading Spanish armies, who then built a cathedral at the site. The buried temple chambers were discovered by accident in 1978, and the site was soon reclaimed as a heritage site. Now you can actually see the layers of Aztec construction as you walk down the excavated site. A modern museum, the Museo del Templo Mayor, houses many of the archaeological artifacts dug up at the site, and makes for an interesting visit for children and adults alike. Admission to the museum is 48 pesos, but is free for students, and children under 12.

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Museo Nacional de Arte

Museum

Address: No. 8 Tacuba, Col. Centro, Mexico City. Phone: 5130 3400 Fax: 5130 3401 Website: http://www.munal.com.mx/ Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays: 10 am to 530 pm Admission: 30 pesos Tuesdays to Saturdays. Free admission on Sundays.

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Museo Franz Mayer

Museum

Address: Hidalgo 45. Centro Histórico, México D.F. 06300 Phone: 5518 2266 Fax: (55) 5521-2888 Website: http://www.franzmayer.org.mx/ingles/index.html Email: [email protected] Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays 10 am to 5 pm. Admission: Adults 45 pesos Students and Teachers 25 pesos (with ID) Free admission for children under 12 seniors over 65 Franz Mayer Museum members ICOM members

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Paseo de la Reforma

road

A walk along this pleasant avenue would reveal the true diversity within such a complex metropolitan district – from the quiet, ancient residential blocks to the towering, glowing buildings, and businesses that have recently sprung up, lending a different touch of color and taste to a secluded aspect of colonial architecture.

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Angel de la Independencia

monument

A monument serving as a symbol of pride for the Mexican nation, located on the Paseo de la Reforma. The Angel was built in 1910 to mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence. Needless to say, the site offers all kinds of crazy photo opportunities, at different times of the day, and with different background environments!

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Fuente de la Diana Cazadora

Fountain

A beautiful fountain-sculpture of Diana, which depicts her aiming her arrow at an invisible target, it makes for amazing opportunities for photography in conjunction with the city’s skyline in the background.

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La Valentina (Mexican)

Address: Av. Presidente Masarik 393, Col. Polanco, Mexico City Phone: 55/5282-2297

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Benkay (Japanese)

Address: Campos Elíseos 204, Col. Polanco, inside Hotel Nikko, Mexico City Phone: 55/5283-8700 Timings: Lunch and dinner only

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Cambalache (Argentinean)

Address: Arquímedes 85, Col. Chapultepec Morales, Mexico City Phone: 55/5280-2080 55/5282-2922 Timings:

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Chez Wok (Chinese)

Address: Tennyson 117, Col. Polanco, Mexico City Phone: 55/5281-3410 55/5281-2921

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Specia (Polish)

Address: Amsterdam 241, at Michoacán, Col. Condesa, Mexico City Phone: 55/5564-136 Timings: Lunch and dinner, reservations advised as may get very crowded

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Thai Gardens (Thai)

Address: Calderón de la Barca 72, Col. Polanco Chapultepec, Mexico City Phone: 55/5281-3850

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Hostería de Santo Domingo (Mexican)

Address: Belisario Dominguez 72, Col. Centro, Mexico City Phone: 55/5510-1434 55/5526-5276 Timings: Breakfast, lunch and dinner 8 am to 10 pm