Stay and Play in Centro Historico, Mexico City

Mexico City offers a culturally enriching experience for any visiting family. For easy access to many cultural and historical attractions in one neighborhood, stay in Mexico City’s Centro Historico, the historic center of Mexico City.

Stay

A relatively new accommodation option in Centro Historico is Umbral, a Curio Collection by Hilton property. Opened last fall, the property feels new and is clearly still finding its footing, with the staff becoming acclimated to the property, but the luxury property, with its spacious guestrooms, rooftop pool, on-site dining and whimsical, private art gallery, is a delight.

Suites offer expansive accommodations, with bedrooms, large bathrooms, antechambers with desk space and balconies. Plenty of floor space provides spots for an additional rollaway bed or crib. However, a suite isn’t necessary to have room for the entire family. Most guestrooms offer enough floor space for additional bedding.

The hotel is also pet-friendly.

Make sure, while at the property, to check out the rooftop restaurant, where you can enjoy views of the city, as well as delicious tacos (and drinks for adults). The rooftop is also a good place to go for a little downtime during the day, with a dip in the small, often-empty pool or hot tub.

Play

There are plenty of places to explore and play in Centro Historico and most are free or affordable.

Start off in El Zocalo, Mexico City’s main square, boasting an incredible view, with the huge square surrounded by historic buildings and beautiful structures. Don’t forget to get a family photo next to the CDMX sign.

A few steps away, you’ll find El Templo Mayor, or the Great Temple. The archaeological site was first discovered in the late 1970s. Now, you can walk around the initial excavation and other digs, that show off Aztec ruins that date to the 1300s. A small museum accompanies this outside attraction, which you can easily spend a few hours exploring and is accessible for just a few dollars.

A bit more of a walk, but still in the neighborhood, you can get a great view of the city and mountains beyond, with a visit to Torre Latinoamericana, a skyscraper with a top-tier observation deck, including an outdoor balcony. If everyone (or most) in your party is of drinking age, grab a beverage at the bar below the observation deck for even more views and tables that bump right up to the glass.