Visiting Mexico City? There are tons of fun things to do and photo ops for families, all for free. Here are some of our favorites.
El Zocalo
El Zocalo is Mexico City’s main square, situated in Centro Historico and surrounded by beautiful buildings and historic architecture. Take plenty of photos and make sure to get one of the fam in front of the CDMX sign. El Zocalo is also surrounded by lots of free attractions, too, so it is a great spot to start your budget-friendly explorations of the city.
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
The largest cathedral in the Americas, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is a beautiful stop on any itinerary. Free to enter, the cathedral is filled with impressive artwork, religious relics and even some crypts. If you feel so inclined, stick around for a service. Whatever you do, make sure to check out the pendulum in the middle of the cathedral, which shows how the cathedral shifted over its long life, as Mexico City continues to sink on its ancient lakebed foundation.
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral. Photo: Chon Kit Leong – Dreamstime.com
While it might cost a few dollars to enter Bellas Artes, admiring this arts venue from the exterior is totally free (and what most people do anyway). Check it out, snap plenty of photos and then head to the adjacent park, where you’ll find plenty of street performers, live music and fountains (where it’s not uncommon to see kids splashing about).
The House of Tiles
The House of Tiles, aka La Casa de los Azulejos, is a palace built in the 1700s. Gorgeous, the structure’s main attraction is the exterior wall that boasts a beautiful array of blue and white tile work. It’s an absolute must-see photo op.
Right off El Zocalo, the National Palace is a popular spot for photos, cultural exploration and a quiet respite in the middle of the bustling city. It is free to enter, but do note one adult in your party will be required to leave their identification with staff at the entry point (either a driver’s license or a passport) and then reclaim their identification upon leaving. Parents will love the beauty of the gardens and architecture; kids will be charmed by the many resident cats who roam the palace grounds.
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