With its brightly painted trajineras (flat-bottomed boats), traditional chinampas (floating gardens), and network of flower-perfumed canals, Xochimilco—the “Flower Garden”—is the kind of place that will have you reaching for your camera at every turn.

The floating gardens of Xochimilco make an easy half-day trip from Mexico City, and the quintessential way to explore is a traditional trajinera boat ride around the Xochimilco canals and islands.

Xochimilco tours are often combined with a Mexico City sightseeing tour, visits to historic sites such as the National University of Mexico or the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan, or a tour of the Coyoacán neighborhood.

Known as the City of the Gods, Teotihuacán was the metropolis of a mysterious Mesoamerican civilization that reached its zenith around AD 100. Once the largest city in the region but abandoned centuries before the arrival of the Aztecs, Teotihuacán boasts towering pyramids and stone temples with detailed statues and intricate murals.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is commonly visited on day trips from nearby Mexico City. See the pyramids from above on a sunrise hot-air balloon ride before exploring the ruins on the ground, or opt for an early-morning tour with an archaeologist to learn the site's history and avoid the crowds that descend later in the day. Teotihuacán highlights include the Moon Plaza, the Sun Pyramid, the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent).

*Note from Mariana: There is a restaurant called La Gruta near here inside of a cave. Very cool experience! https://lagruta.mx/ *

Coyoacán, one of Mexico City’s oldest districts, is alive with color and culture. Centered around twin plazas perfect for people watching—Plaza Hidalgo and Jardín Centenario—Coyoacán is characterized by museums, quaint cobblestone streets, and roadside churro vendors.

Beloved by locals and visitors alike, Coyoacán’s historic center (aka Villa Coyoacán) is easy to explore on foot in as little as half a day. Stroll the cobblestone streets before relaxing in one of the many pretty plazas; take a walking tour to learn about the pre-Hispanic and colonial history of the district, or uncover Frida Kahlo’s artistic legacy.

Alternatively, combine a visit to Coyoacán with stops in Xochimilco, University City, or Teotihuacán. And don’t miss the trio of popular house-museums, once occupied by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Leon Trotsky, respectively.

*Note from Mariana: the street corn here is amazing.*

Chapultepec Park, named for the Aztec word chapoltepec (at the grasshopper’s hill), is one of the world's largest city parks. The green space spans 1,695 acres (686 hectares) and is dissected by walking paths connecting quiet ponds, monumental buildings, and museums.

Located in the center of Mexico City, Chapultepec Park is found 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the zócalo, or central plaza, along the border of the popular upscale neighborhoods of Reforma and Polanco. Considered one of the world’s oldest urban parks, it’s believed to have been set aside as green space in the 1300s, but wasn't officially protected until 1428 by King Nezahualcoyotl.

In addition to exploring the grounds by bike, Segway, or on foot, many tours also provide the option to visit main attractions, such as Chapultepec Castle, which is home to the National History Museum (Museo Nacional de Historia) and the National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología).

Mexico City’s Plaza de la Constitución, better known as the Zocalo, is the cultural and historic heart of the city. The Zocalo is a gathering place for political protest and cultural celebration and a good place for visitors to get a taste of Mexico City. This large open-air square in the Centro Historico is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the city's top attractions.

Tour the National Palace (Palacio Nacional) on the Zocalo's east side, where massive murals by Diego Rivera depict the nation’s history. Step inside the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana) for a look at religious colonial art. Or, tour the archeological finds at Mexico City Great Temple (Templo Mayor).

Visit the Zocalo independently or as part of a Mexico City sightseeing tour—on foot, by bike, or even via Segway. Tours typically include stops at major attractions, such as Bellas Artes and Plaza Garibaldi, and there’s also a popular Teotihuacan pyramids tour to consider.

*Note from Mariana: the oldest churrería in Mexico is nearby. Get fresh churros and a hot chocolate - http://elmoro.mx*

France has the Champs-Élysées, New Orleans has St. Charles Street, and Mexico City has the Paseo de la Reforma. More than just a major thoroughfare that spans the length of the city, the street is a historical touchstone to remind all who pass through the robust history of Mexico City.

Angel of Independence (Monumento a la Independencia)

Built in 1910, this iconic monument commemorates the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the nation’s War of Independence. Its towering stone column stretches high into the Mexico City skyline and both drivers and pedestrians can see its golden angel statue as they move about the popular Paseo de la Reforma. The base of the monument also serves as a mausoleum and final resting place for a number of Mexican war heroes.

Today, the most prominent buildings in Mexico City reside along the avenue. Also along the paseo are many historic monuments, including ones to Cuauhtémoc, Simón Bolívar, José de San Martín and Christopher Columbus.