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Xochimilco – When Tenochitlan was a major metropolis,
farmers cultivated their fields in floating gardens, chinampas. Xichimilco
has a festive atmosphere, flower and vegetable markets, music and food (try
the ice cream), and is crowded with families on the weekend. When you visit
the floating gardens of Xochimilco, kids will enjoy a ride through the canals
on a colorful flat-bottomed boat. |
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Stop into the Xochimilco Museum to
see items that have been dredged up from the bottom of the lake. |
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In the Parque Ecologico de Xochimilco, restored marshlands are home to many
birds and endangered species. |
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Granja del Tio Pepe (Del. Alvaro Obregon ) – Take a visit to Tio Pepe's Farm, a children's farm with roosters, pigs, sheep, ducks, cows, where kids can ride a horse or donkey, feed parrots, chickens and rabbits, watch cooking and gardening demonstrations. Playground and snack bar, fun for little ones. Open daily. |
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Teotihuacan – First thing when you reach the magnificent
ruins at Teotihuacan, kids can run down the Avenue of the Dead (Calle de
los Muertos) and climb up to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. From
on top, you can see the ruins of this marvelous city that flourished from
200 BC to 650 AD and extended over an area as big as ancient Rome. Climb
up the Pyramid of the Moon for another look over the city. In the Museo
de Sitio, see items excavated from the site as well as a model of Teotihuacan
in its heyday. A little distance from the pyramids, the Tepantitla complex has exquisite wall murals, particularly one of Tlaloc, the rain
god. |
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Tula (Tula de Allende) – Tula is the Toltec city that came
after Teotihuacan and before Tenochitlan. Tula (Tollan) is the legendary
home of Quetzalcoatl, the great Toltec king and Feathered-Serpent god
(whether the king became a god or vice versa is not clear). In legend,
Quetzalcoatl led Tula to greatness, but was banished and wandered east
to the Yucatan, where he died and turned into the morning star. The Tula
ruins are not as impressive as Teotihuacan, but the Atlantes, huge stone
columns in the shape of Toltec warriors are spectacular. There's also
a large ball court to run around, and the museum has a fine Chacmool. |
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Water fun – If the weather is warm, head south
of Mexico City, an hour or two away, to lakes, water parks and resorts where
you can spend a day relaxing and having fun in the water. |
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Ixtapan
de la Sal – Parque Acuatico Spa Ixtapan is a water park with swimming
and spa (take a relaxing soak). Horseback riding is also available in Ixtapan
de la Sal. |
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Lake
Tequesquitengo (south of Cuernavaca) is a warm water, artificial lake,
perfect for water sports. Also, have fun at the nearby El Rollo Aquatic
Park (El Rollo Parque Acuatico) near Jojutla. |
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Valle
de Bravo – Valle de Bravo is a charming town on a large lake. Take
a boat ride on the lake or explore the local market for handicrafts. There's
also horseback riding or hiking in surrounding hills and mountains. |
