Photo by Nadine Markova Click on the image for larger version

Located in the south center of the country equidistant from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Mexico City is connected by a modern subway system, communicated with other Mexican cities by a network of superhighways and can be reached directly by air from Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington D.C., Toronto and many other North American cities.

The longest continuously-inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere, Mexico City sits atop the lake basin where the Mexica Indians founded their empire in 1325 and were defeated by the Spanish under Hernan Cortes two centuries later. The immense, volcano-dotted valley in which Mexico City sits harbors a population approaching 23 million. The traveler can spend two weeks in the city and still not experience all the major attractions it has to offer.

A perfect place to begin a tour of Mexico City is the zocalo, or main plaza, the world's third-largest town square. Located right in the middle of the city’s main historical district, the zocalo is bordered on its north side by the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is constructed of stones taken from the Mexica’s Great Temple (Templo Mayor), the remains of which can be toured at the cathedral’s northeast end. On its west side lie several hotels, among them the Majestic Hotel and the Holiday Inn Zocalo, from which the square can be admired in all its splendor. The area around the zocalo is dotted with palaces, mansions and churches in baroque, neoclassical and other styles.

Photo by Carlos Sanchez Click on the image for larger version

Other areas not to be missed are the southern colonial neighborhoods of San Angel, Coyoacan and Tlalpan that used to be on the outskirts of Mexico City but have become enveloped in the expanding metropolitan area. The trendy Condesa and up-and-coming Roma neighborhoods northwest of the center were built in the French and art deco styles, while the residential and commercial district of Polanco sports many upscale restaurants and shops, particularly along Mazaryk Avenue. In the extreme south, a tour by colorfully decorated rafts (trajineras) through the canals of Xochimilco with its floating plots of land offers a glimpse into what the valley looked like when Cortes gazed upon it for the first time. The impressive pyramids of Teotihuacan, meanwhile, lie just one hour north of the city.

Mexico City boasts a wealth of museums containing everything from prehispanic artifacts and colonial treasures to handicrafts and modern art. Some of the most outstanding include the National Museum of Anthropology, the History Museum in Chapultepec Castle, the Modern Art Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Rufino Tamayo (Art) Museum, the El Papalote Children’s Museum, the Mexico City Museum, the National Art Museum and the Frida Kahlo Museum.

One can buy virtually anything, from antiques to handicrafts to the latest fashions, in Mexico City. Interesting places for traditional Mexican handicrafts include the Bazaar del Sabado, a Saturday-only bazaar in San Angel’s Jacinto Plaza; the open-air market alongside Coyoacan’s main square; and downtown’s Mercado de la Ciudadela (Balderas, between Ayuntamiento and Dolores). Fonart stores (Juarez 89, downtown; and Patriotismo 691, Mixcoac; tel. 5521-0171), part of a national fund for the promotion of Mexican handicrafts, offer the best handicrafts from all over Mexico, including black pottery from Oaxaca and silver from Taxco. And the colorful Mercado de Sonora (corner of Fray Servando Teresa de Mier and San Nicolas) sells everything from magic potions to herbal teas.

To purchase hand-blown glassware and watch the items being made, head downtown to the Carretones glass factory (Carretones 5 near the La Merced subway stop, tel. 5550-4439, open Wednesday through Sunday from 11AM to 7PM). For traditional Mexican sweets, from candied figs to coconut bars, the nearby Dulceria de Celaya (Cinco de Mayo 39, tel. 5521-1787) is sure to satisfy. Paintings, sculptures and jewelry by world-famous Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante can be found in the Zona Rosa shopping district (Amberes 13, tel 5525-9059) as well as the Nikko and Camino Real hotels in Polanco. Famous silver stores include Ballesteros and Tane on Mazaryk Avenue in Polanco. Uriarte, one of Puebla City's most prestigious makers of Talavera pottery, also displays and sells its wonderful pieces in its Polanco showroom (Alejandro Dumas 77, tel. 5282-2849).

Mexico’s cosmopolitan capital offers a wealth of restaurants including everything from regional specialties to international delicacies. Restaurant El Lago, overlooking Chapultepec Lake, serves up the best Sunday brunch in the city. Other typical restaurants include El Cicero, El Gallo Centenario and El Candelero, adorned with Mexican antiques and serving Mexican delicacies. For the more budget-conscious, the restaurant chains VIPs and Sanborn’s, scattered throughout the city, offer a wide variety of dishes at excellent prices. The Sanborn’s Casa de Azulejos (Madero 4 -- about one block from the Fine Arts Palace) is located in a beautiful colonial building whose outside walls are covered in tiles and interior decorated with murals. The Condesa district offers a wealth of different cuisines to satisfy any taste and budget.

As one of the world’s great cosmopolitan capitals, Mexico City offers visitors an extensive variety of hotels, many operated by leading Mexican and international hotel chains. Rooms total more than 44,000, with 4,000 in the five-star range. A number of the hotels are housed in beautifully preserved historic buildings, while others feature the latest in contemporary architecture and design. New hotels include the towering Sheraton Centro Historico, part of a recent movement to restore and beautify the historic downtown area; as well as the first Latin American outpost of the prestigious W Hotel.

Mexico’s bustling capital also offers the visitor all sorts of entertainment possibilities during the day and at night. Many nightspots are located on or near Insurgentes Avenue, one of the longest avenues in the world and Mexico’s main north-south axis. A drink at Bellini’s at the top of Mexico’s World Trade Center offers a spectacular view from above of the city.