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23 Best Non-Touristy Things to Do in Mexico City
If you’re looking for some of the best non-touristy things to do in Mexico City, you’ve come to the right place!
As the capital of Mexico, there are so many touristy things to do there. It’s one of the largest cities in the world! Not all touristy activities are bad.
However, sometimes you just want a more local experience that takes you off the beaten path. There are some really cool non-touristy things to do in Mexico City, too!
We’ve spent a lot of time in Mexico, including over a month in Mexico City. Based on our travels, we know that CDMX is one of the best places to vacation in Mexico.
Thanks to our exhaustive personal research, this post has the coolest non-touristy things to do in Mexico City.
What Places Are Not Touristy In Mexico City?
If you want to explore Mexico City, the largest in Latin America, don’t limit yourself to the tourist areas. Those are Centro Historico, Polanco, Condesa, and Roma.
The couple of blocks immediately surrounding the Frida Kahlo House in Coyoacan is pretty touristy as well. If you plan to go there, get your tickets well in advance!
While you will see tourists in other places, there will be far fewer of them. Generally, the non-touristy things to do in Mexico City are generally outside of those five neighborhoods.
Pro Tip: Brush up on your Spanish. There are far fewer English speakers at the non-touristy things to do in Mexico City.
Especially if it’s your first time in Mexico City, you may want to mix the touristy and non-touristy things to do in Mexico City.
Regardless of how many times you’ve been to CDMX before, at least a couple of items from this list should be on your Mexico City itinerary.
Non-Touristy Things To Do In Mexico City
There are some really unique places to visit in Mexico City beyond the historic district, Chapultepec Park, and the Frida Kahlo Museum. Based on my family’s experiences in CDMX, here’s our list of favorites!
1. Lucha Libre Show
This is one of the most unique things to do in Mexico City. It’s also an activity in Mexico City that is authentically Mexican. We went to family night, which takes place every Sunday at 5 pm.
👉 Search here for available Lucha Libre matches at Arena Mexico.
Lucha Libre shows generally last about three hours. There are several rounds of matches, starting with the entry-level luchadores and escalating to the biggest names.
Take cash for food and drinks. Like performances in US arenas, vendors walk the aisles selling snacks, soda, and beer.
2. Street Food
A traditional Mexican food tour will take you off the beaten path Mexico City style. You’ll discover new types of local food you won’t ever find at home.
Whether you want to stick to Centro Historico or venture further afield, there are several amazing street food tours in Mexico City. Each one has stellar reviews.
👉 This street food tour stays only in Centro Historico and includes a visit to an Aztec market.
👉 This street taco tour includes unlimited tacos!
👉 This street food tour is in Polanco, a CDMX culinary hotspot!
While a street food tour is typically enjoyed by visitors to CDMX, this isn’t an activity that’ll be crawling with hundreds or thousands of other visitors at the same time.
Most tours actually limit the group size to ensure you have a more intimate, local experience. That makes this a great non-touristy thing to do in Mexico City since it’s designed for travelers, not tourists.
From churros to mole, there is something for everyone in a CDMX street food tour! Plus, you’ll get to experience new ways of making and serving some of your hometown favorites.
Each neighborhood in Mexico City has its own unique restaurants and food options.
3. Go to a Futbol Game
Futbol, also known as soccer to Americans, is incredibly popular in Mexico. Aztec Stadium, in Mexico City, is home to the national soccer team of Mexico.
👉 Search here for available futbol matches at Aztec Stadium.
Out of all the non-touristy things to do in Mexico City, Estadio Azteca is certainly one of the more fun places in Mexico City.
If you aren’t familiar with how seriously Mexicans take futbol you may think a game here is one of the more crazy things to do in Mexico City.
While it’s not a Manchester United match in the UK, fans here do get pretty excited during the games.
4. See the Xoximilco Canals…at Sunrise!
Yes, the Xoximilco Canals are touristy. But not at sunrise! Most people go in the afternoon or evening so they can drink while they ride.
But if you go early in the morning, you can enjoy an absolutely peaceful Xochimilco experience with the sun coming up over the canals.
👉 This sunrise Xochimilco tour even includes a yoga session! Ages 15+ only.
The boats are still decorated with colorful lights and music, but without all of the extra noise and partying that usually goes on.
We went early in the morning and there were only a couple of other boats. Most of them were still tied together on the dock!
It’s definitely worth getting up early for! Plus, you get to see a lot more of the local wildlife, like turtles and ducks.
You *might* even see an axolotl, as this is their natural habitat. It’s truly a unique experience!
5. Island of Dolls in Xochimilco
So you don’t want to get up early but you still want to see the Xoximilco canals without throngs of tourists?
👉 This tour to the Island of the Dolls on the outskirts of Xochimilco may be just what you need to book.
Deep in the canals of Xochimilco, just south of Mexico City, is the Island of the Dolls. Also known as Isla de las Muñecas, this small island fascinates with its eerie atmosphere and unsettling collection of dolls.
Legend has it that many years ago, Julian Santana Barrera, the island’s inhabitant, discovered the body of a drowned girl nearby and was subsequently haunted by her spirit.
To appease her restless soul, Julian started collecting dolls and hanging them on trees and structures across the island. The collection grew over time, with dolls of different sizes and conditions adorning the island.
Today, visitors to the Island of the Dolls can witness this macabre scene. Dolls with missing limbs, faded paint, and vacant stares dangle from branches, fences, and buildings. The atmosphere is truly unique.
6. Casa Gilardi
The Gilardi House was designed and built in the late 1970s by Mexican architect, Luis Barragan. It is still owned and lived in by the family for whom he designed it.
They do allow tours of their museum house, and it’s absolutely worthwhile to do one.
Pro Tip: Tours are by appointment only.
Not only does the house have unique architecture but it also incorporates colors, textures, sequences, and arrangements of spaces in different ways.
Gilardi House is one of Mexico City’s hidden gems. However, it is at risk of becoming an Instagrammers paradise. Go before they take it over.
7. Biblioteca Vasconcelos
The Buenavistaneighborhood is one of the less touristy places in Mexico City, and we spent a lot of time just wandering around.
This modern library in the Buenavista neighborhood is so unassuming from the outside that we walked past it twice before realizing what it was.
Glad we figured it out! There’s a massive whale skeleton inside the main room, which is truly a sight to behold!
The library itself gets pretty busy with tourists, especially on weekends. Visit on a weekday morning, to avoid the crowds.
Pro Tip: Spend most of your visit in the library’s botanical garden.
Most tourists never venture outside so you can have this practically deserted botanical garden to yourself. It contains more than 160 types of plants and covers a massive 26,000 sqm (279,862 sqft).
Compared to the chaos of Latin America’s largest city, the gardens are an oasis of calm.
8. Ride a Cable Car
Many museums in Mexico City are closed on Mondays. Even Chapultepec Park, and all the attractions inside it, are closed that day. So you need to plan ahead to ensure you have things to do in Mexico City on Monday.
Cable cars are part of the public transit system in Mexico City and only cost 7 pesos to ride. They’re called the Cablebus.
These sky gondola systems connect the most mountainous neighborhoods with the rest of the city because they’re too steep for subways or buses.
➡️ The southern cable bus route starts at the Constitucion 1917 metro station. It offers views of homes that paint intricate murals on their rooftops.
➡️ The northern route begins at the Indios Verdes metro station. It showcases the colorful neighborhoods that paint their homes rainbow colors.
➡️ The NW Santa Clara line is more difficult to get to since it starts at the Santa Clara Mexibus stop instead of a Metro (subway) station.
9. Visit a Lesser-Known Museum
There are over 150 museums in Mexico City. Most tourists simply follow their travel guides and stick to the best-known – the National Museum of Anthropology, Frida Kahlo’s Blue House, and the Palace of Fine Arts.
If you want to avoid the major crowds but still get a bit of culture, then visit a lesser-known museum. These are some of the best activities in Mexico City.
Pro Tip: Museo del Carmen has an interesting and creepy mummy collection while el Museo de Juguetes Antiguos has an extensive collection of toys.
Our two favorites were Museo Soumaya and the Diego Rivera Mural Museum. These two can get pretty crowded on weekend afternoons and holidays but are practically empty on weekday mornings.
10. See the “Momias”
No, not moms. Mummies. Yes, seriously! Located in the San Angel neighborhood, this museum is rarely visited by tourists. At least not foreign tourists.
Did you know mummies are common in Mexico, particularly in the arid north? They’ve been found in burial sites from pre-Hispanic and colonial eras.
In Guanajuato, the most famous mummies draw tourists to the municipal cemetery. These mummies occur naturally and are often found in above-ground burials like crypts.
Mummification can also happen in wetter climates, like at El Carmen. The identities of the mummies remain unconfirmed, but they are dressed in both men’s and women’s clothing.
The most common theory is that the mummies belong to the family that funded the building of El Carmen as a church. Fascinating, right?
Note: No photos are allowed inside because the caretakers are committed to preventing any degradation of the mummies.
11. Visit the Kiosco Morisco
The Kiosco Morisco (Moorish Kiosk) is a lovely anomaly in the Santa María la Ribera neighborhood of Mexico City.
It’s elaborately detailed with rich colors in a design that seems somewhat at odds with its surroundings.
The Kiosco Morisco is made entirely of steel and is best known for the gorgeously elaborate, Islamic-inspired geometric patterns that curl around the 44 external and eight internal pillars.
The ceiling and roof are topped by a small glass dome and bronze eagle.
The best time to see this kiosk in its full glory is amidst the local Sunday Market that takes place at Parque Santa Elena de Ribena, where the kiosk is located.
We stayed just two blocks from this park so we visited the park and the kiosk several times. It’s one of the top free things to do in Mexico City.
12. Visit the Museo Mucho Chocolate
Explore the amazing Mexico City Chocolate Museum, where you’ll find a delightful fusion of history and modernity. Mexico City off the beaten path has never tasted so good!
Get ready to immerse yourself in captivating exhibits that will awaken your senses. Take a fascinating tour through the galleries, indulge in delicious chocolate tastings, and witness the art of metate.
And don’t forget to bring home some exquisite treats from the MUCHO Chocolate shop, for the ultimate indulgence.
In addition to being one of the tastiest non-touristy things to do in Mexico City, it’s also a must-visit destination for all chocolate lovers in CDMX as well!
13. Eat at Some Unique Restaurants
Themed restaurants are all the rage in Mexico City! From zombies and witches to Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter, there are restaurants and coffee shops for every kind of interest.
Look beyond the fancy, touristy restaurants in Roma and Condesa. Eat where the locals eat, but not on those amazing food tours I mentioned earlier. (Do those too!)
If you want to feel like a Disney Princess or stomp like a stormtrooper, there’s something for you. You’ll just need to be willing to go off the beaten track Mexico City in order to enjoy them!
When we ate at most of these, I rarely even saw another foreigner so go have a weird mealtime!
14. See CDMX From Above
The view from Torre Latinamerica offers a 360 view of the city. But it’s also one of the top tourist attractions in Mexico City so it’s pretty touristy. Don’t worry, we already did a search for alternate amazing views.
Go to the top floor of the Sears building across from the Palace of Fine Arts to see it from up high. The crowds are far smaller and the view is pretty spectacular.
Or go to the top of the Monument of the Revolution. The ride up to the center of the dome in the glass elevator is well worth it.
While you won’t get the same view as from Torre Latinamerica, it’s still a pretty sight to see Mexico City from above the chaos.
15. Explore the Diego Rivera Murals
Although Frida Kahlo is the most famous Mexican artist that I know, Diego Rivera (her husband) was an incredibly talented painter in his own right.
Explore the vibrant art scene of Mexico City through iconic locations showcasing Diego Rivera’s famous murals.
Discover his vibrant works on building walls in the Centro Histórico and experience his life at Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo in San Angel.
If you’re up for a touristy experience, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacán or El Palacio de Bellas Artes, both of which also exhibit some of Rivera’s masterpieces.
While you wind your way through touristy and non-touristy things to do in Mexico City, this is one way to authentically enjoy your journey through the city’s rich artistic tapestry!
16. Planetario Luis Enrique Erro
This planetarium is the oldest modern planetarium in Latin America.
Obviously, the Aztecs, Mayans, and other early cultural groups also built amazing observatories as we saw at Chichen Itza.
It has tons of exhibits and you can get up close and personal (kind of) with the night sky.
The planetarium also offers interactive exhibits and science workshops in addition to the night sky dome show. It’s not just for kids!
17. Tour the National Palace
The National Palace of Mexico, also known as Palacio National, offers remarkable off-the-beaten-path tours in Mexico City. Despite its central location in the Zocalo, these tours are often overlooked due to limited online information.
Palacio National is an impressive colonial building in Mexico City, constructed on the ruins of the Palace of Aztec Emperor Moctezuma.
With glass floors revealing ancient ruins and a remarkable collection of Diego Rivera’s wall murals, including the famous “History of Mexico,” the palace offers a captivating experience.
To visit the National Palace and see the stunning Diego Rivera murals, you’ll need to join a guided tour. The tour is free, but make sure to schedule in advance.
Head to the ticket office at the Museum of Art of the Ministry of Finance & Public Credit for reservations. If you haven’t booked, you can try your luck with last-minute cancellations.
18. Relax at Chapultepec Park’s Audiorama
Bosque de Chapultepec is one of the largest urban parks in Latin America. It’s a haven for both locals and tourists.
We’ve spent a lot of time there, as their zoo and playground are pretty amazing.
Beyond the well-known tourist spots, like the Anthropology Museum, lies a world of Mexico City hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
One such gem is the serene Audiorama, where you can immerse yourself in calming music and find solace for reading and relaxation. It’s actually just behind the Chapultepec Castle.
Be sure to explore and uncover the lesser-known treasures of this sprawling and captivating park!
Non Touristy Things To Do Near Mexico City
Don’t be afraid to travel outside the Mexico City limits when seeking some unusual and non-touristy things to do in the nation’s capitol.
19. Day Trip to Puebla
We spent a bit of time in Puebla but it is absolutely worth a day trip from Mexico City if that’s all the time you have available.
👉 This day trip tour takes you to all our favorite places in Puebla!
From the rich history of Cinco de Mayo (which is not Mexican Independence Day) to the beautiful architecture and ornate churches surrounding the Zocalo, a day trip is time well spent.
👉 I recommend using Discover Cars for renting a car on your trip!
If you want to enjoy the secret Puebla sites that most tourists don’t even know about, though, then you need to hire a guided tour. These locals will take you underneath practically forgotten pre-Mayan ruins to explore secret tunnels.
20. Desierto de los Leones
Heading to one of Mexico’s coniferous national parks is one of the more adventurous things to do in Mexico City.
Desert of the Lions National Park is close enough to CDMX that it’s ideal for an escape from the madness of the city center.
👉 Rent a car in CDMX so you can more easily get around the park.
The most popular thing to do in this park, other than the hiking trails, is visiting the abandoned convent. It’s both cool and a bit spooky.
Originally, it was built in the early 1600s by a sect of barefoot monks who wanted peace and quiet in which to meditate. It’s been abandoned since the early 1800s.
There is also a unique structure there called Casa del Arbol, or the Tree House. Casa de Arbol in Parque Nacional Desierto de Los Leones was designed by Guillermo and Sidartha Siliceo, a father-son duo.
It’s a 25-cabin complex built on Buddhist principles and eco-friendly concepts.
There is no shuttle system within the park, so if you don’t have a car you are stuck wherever a taxi from CDMX drops you off.
And you need to negotiate a price in advance for them to return from CDMX to pick you up. Driving yourself is much easier.
21. Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park
Despite being 160 kilometers south of Mexico City along an extremely windy route, a sightseeing trip to Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park is definitely worth the effort.
👉 Book a tour for this day trip so you don’t have to drive yourself!
The biggest attraction in this large park is the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa, or Caverns of Cacahuamilpa, one of the world’s largest cave systems. There’s also a smaller network in the park called Grutas de Carlos Pacheco.
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa has some of the most spectacular subterranean landscapes anywhere, including long tunnels carved out by underground rivers.
It also has a variety of fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations extending through 16 chambers.
Fun Fact: One of the rock formations is 80 meters wide and 77 meters high!
22. Go Wine Tasting
Yes, Mexico is known for tequila and mezcal. However, it also has a really great wine region in Central Mexico.
Wine is one of the hidden gems Mexico City offers to tourists willing to venture outside the metropolis.
👉 Taking a wine-tasting day trip from Mexico City is a really unique non-touristy thing to do near Mexico City!
You’ll escape the hustle and bustle and visit a vineyard in Querétaro & Peña de Bernal. During the journey, you’ll get to see the stunning landscape of central Mexico and head straight to Peña de Bernal.
Take your time to admire the beautiful scenery and snap some amazing pictures. Our next stop will be the magical town of Bernal. You’ll have free time to shop and explore the charming streets.
And the best part? We’ll visit the Freixenet Wine Cellar, where you can learn about winemaking, savor delicious Mexican Tapas, and of course, indulge in the exquisite taste of unique wines.
Get ready for a day trip to Querétaro with a bilingual guide, visit one of the world’s largest monoliths, and enjoy a tasting at a local winery. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience!
23. Tula Warriors
👉 If you’re looking for a historically significant experience, make sure to put the Tula warriors on your CMDX itinerary.
The Tula warriors are massive statues located in the ancient city of Tula, just outside Mexico City. Tula, also known as Tollan, was the capital of the Toltec civilization from 850 to 1150 CE.
It is home to the impressive archaeological site where the towering basalt warriors, known as Atlantes or Toltec warriors, represent the military prowess and cultural heritage of the Toltec people.
Visiting Tula offers a unique opportunity to appreciate their craftsmanship and delve into Mexico’s ancient past. Marvel at the impressive sculptures and connect with history at this fascinating archaeological site.
So, if you’re interested in experiencing the grandeur of ancient Mesoamerican culture, make sure to include a visit to the Tula warriors on your non-touristy things to do in Mexico City travel itinerary.
What Should You Avoid In Mexico City?
If you want a more local experience, don’t hang out in Condesa, Centro Historico, Polanco, or Roma for too long. They’re full of tourists and expats, and that’s clearly not your vibe if you’re reading this post.
Also avoid unsafe areas, like Mercado Merced and Tepito. Yes, there are some unique markets there but they are also huge draws for all sorts of unsavory types.
Visits there are some of the crazy things to do in Mexico City. There are plenty of other non-touristy things to do in Mexico City that are safer and more fun.
There are safe neighborhoods in Mexico City that have a bit more local flavor. We love the Buenavista area, especially because some of the best non-touristy things to do in Mexico City are located there!
What not to miss in Mexico City?
I know they’re touristy but the National Museum of Anthropology and the Zocalo are both amazing. Don’t miss them.
The National Museum of Anthropology is home to important archaeological and anthropological artifacts from the pre-Hispanic period. It also houses significant collections of Mesoamerican art, and has beautiful gardens.
The Zocalo is a big public plaza that has been in existence since Aztec times. It’s great for people watching and contains some amazing structures, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace.
As far as non-touristy things to do in Mexico City, don’t miss watching a Lucha Libre match or riding the cable cars. The latter is probably my favorite thing we did in Mexico City during our entire stay!
Getting Around In Mexico City
Driving within Mexico City is stressful. We lived in Chicago (not the suburbs) for over 16 years, so I know stressful driving. Drivers are assertive, traffic jams are everywhere, and highway on-ramps are much shorter than in the US.
We had our car in Mexico City since we were driving the Pan American Highway to South America at the time. Don’t drive to all the unusual things to do in Mexico City. Trust me.
We left our car parked except for the day trips we took outside the city limits. If you have a car, this is what I recommend you do as well.
Instead, rely on public transit and rideshare services. The subway and red buses are very easy to use. We took them all over the city during our stay. Just don’t ride them at night.
In addition, there are three reputable rideshare services that operate in CDMX: Uber, Didi, and Beat. When not surging, the price to get around town is less than 100 pesos ($5 USD).
You can even link your credit card to the rideshare service apps to minimize the amount of cash you need to have on hand.
Related Reading:
29 Things to Do in Mexico City with Kids
Is Puebla Worth Visiting?
Visiting Teotihuacan from Mexico City
Conclusion: Non Touristy Things To Do In Mexico City
We did a mix of touristy and non-touristy things to do in Mexico City during our visit.
After all, the National Museum of Anthropology has the largest collection of Meso-American artifacts on earth and is one of the world’s most comprehensive natural history museums.
But if that’s just not your thing, then don’t go. That’s the beauty of travel. There are so many ways to enjoy it.
There are plenty of amazing non-touristy things to do in Mexico City on this list. If you do everything we suggest here, you can easily keep busy during a multi-week vacation.
👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!
👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!
