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As the recipient of 12 million visitors each year, Mexico City offers a wide range of tourist, cultural and first class services

Hidden Gems

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For many visitors, Mexico City can seem chaotic and confusing, with many world-class attractions and sites. To help you explore the diversity of this sophisticated urban center, we asked the readers of Inside México to share with us 100 Hidden Gems – their favorite restaurants, shopping centers, museums, parks and attractions – that will enrich your visit and provide a more authentic Mexico City experience. (All figures in Mexican pesos)

Acuática Nelson Vargas

Swimming is the specialty of the Nelson Vargas centers, but some also offer good cardio and free-weight gyms and a wide range of classes like aerobics, spinning, jazz, yoga, tai-chi, and kick-boxing.

Address: There are various centers around the city
Phone: Tel: 5425-8400
www.anv.com.mx

Adonis

One of Mexico City´s oldest and most authentic Lebanese restaurants with an attached grocery store for picking up the ingredients to replicate a dish or two at home. At lunch, rub shoulders with Mexico City movers and shakers.

Address: Hegel 205, Colonia Polanco
Phone: 5531-6940
http://www.pujol.com.mx

Mon-Wed: 1 pm-12 am; Thurs-Sat: 1 pm-3 am; Sun: 1 pm-7 pm. Live music after 3 pm, Mon-Sat. Show with belly dancer and Arab musicians at 10 pm, Thurs-Sat, with $100 cover. Payment: all cards. Average cost: $250.

Agapi Mu

Looking for a fun change of pace in the DF? Try this Greek joint. Excellent moussaka.

Address: Alfonso Reyes 96, Colonia Condesa
Phone: 5553-4167, 5286-1384
http://www.agapimu.com.mx

Tues-Sat: 1:30 pm-11:30 pm; Sun-Mon: 1:30 pm-6 pm. Greek dancing on Thurs, Fri, Sat. Payment: all cards. Valet parking. Average cost: $15.

American Benevolent Society

The ABS takes care of Americans and their families in Mexico City, providing emergency support, diagnostic medical care, and emotional and psychological support on a case-by-case basis. Donate to or volunteer at their bookstore, help out on special occasions, or have tea and go to the movies with the elderly.

Address: Union Church
Phone: 5540-5123, 5520-3008

American Legion

Cheap drinks, jazz and great stories –in English, if you are looking for a slice of USA in downtown Mexico City.

Address: Celaya 25, Colonia Condesa
Phone: 5564-4490
http://www.amlegion-mexico.org

Tues-Sun: Bar and restaurant, 1 pm-8 pm; Tues: Jazz starts at 3:30 pm; Fri: Bar 5pm-11 pm, Happy Hour 5pm-7 pm with live music; Sat: Bingo from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm. Cost: $30 for 10 games

Anglo-Mexican Library

Date opened: 1943. Collection: 20,000 volumes. Internet access, CD-ROMs, and videos. Librarians: Alfredo Alejandro Fonseca.

Address: Antonio Caso No. 127, Colonia San Rafael
Phone: 3067-8817, 3000-1826, 5566-4500 ext.25
www.theanglo.org.mx/biblioteca.php

Mon-Fri: 8:30 am-7:30 pm; Sat: 10am-4pm. Services: occasional reading groups. Cost: $100 for annual membership

Avenida Mazatlan

This tree-lined Condesa boulevard is great for an early morning stroll or taking in the sunset, both for two-legged creatures and the four-legged creatures who love them. Don’t forget to stop in at the Roxy (Mazatlán 80) for an ice cream cone.

Address: Colonia Condesa

Azoteas Verdes

Comprised of the environmental groups Organi-k and Gaia, Azoteas Verdes offers workshops on urban agriculture and roof garden design. Call for a list of activities or check their websites.

Address: Centro Cultural La Pirámide, Colonia San Pedro de los Pinos
Phone: 8596-4979
www.organi-k.org.mx

Azul y Oro

Chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita’s UNAM restaurant is considered by many to be the city’s best Mexican food.

Address: Centro Cultural Universitario (near Sala Nezahualcóyotl), Ciudad Universitaria
Phone: 5622-7135

Mon-Tues: 10 am-6 pm; Wed-Thurs: until 8 pm; Sat: until 9 pm; Sun: 9 am-7 pm

Barney´s

Looking for one more glass before you head home? This is the spot. Dig that red interior, the pizza, the burgers, the bourbon-and-grenadine Red Rider cocktail and live rock on Saturdays.

Address: Fernando Montes de Oca 43
Phone: 5212-0007

Tues-Sat: 7 pm-2 am; Sun-Mon: closed. Payment: all credit cards except American Express. Valet parking. Average cost: $250

Barracuda Diner

Could be the best hamburger in Mexico City. Great fries and onion rings. And, you can get a milkshake or a martini to go with it!

Address: Nuevo León 4-A, Colonia Condesa
Phone: 5211-9480

Sun-Wed: 1 pm-2 am; Thurs-Sat: 1 pm-4 am. Payment: all cards. Valet parking. Average cost: $120-$150

Bazar Fusion

This roving bazaar happens every six weeks and features local designers offering unique and handcrafted clothing, chic jewelry and one of a kind household items.


www.proyectofusion.com.mx

Check the website for the date of the next bazaar, or e-mail to get on the mailing list

Black Horse

Condesa expat institution and always a good spot to watch big sporting events.

Address: Mexicali 85, Colonia Condesa
Phone: 5211-8740
www.caballonegro.com

Tues-Sat: 5 pm-2 am; Sun-Mon: closed

Bosque de Tlalpan

The park’s paths are great for uphill running. You’ll pass many lovely and diverse tree species as you jog on by.

Address: Santa Teresa, Colonia Tlalpan

Daily: 5:30 am-5 pm

Boutique L.a. Cetto

The biggest Baja California wine label offers wine tasting sessions and courses.

Address: Monte Athos 315, Colonia Lomas de Chapultepec
Phone: 1100-1040, 1100-1045
www.lacetto.com

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Pedro Méndez, Chinampero

Voices from the city:

Pedro Méndez, Chinampero

“I have apocalyptic dreams,” Pedro Méndez begins. “One night I dreamt that a flood swept away all of Xochimilco. Everything drowned. Then mighty green pyramids arose from the water. read more

Libros, Libros, Libros

Mexico´s longest operating English language bookstore. Travel, fiction, classics, magazines in English.

Address: Monte Ararat 220, Colonia Lomas de Chapultepec
Phone: 5540-4778, 5202-0825
www.libroslibros.com

Mon-Sat: 10 am-7 pm

view all hidden gems »

January 18 – February 14, 2012 Palacio de Bellas Artes and National Museum of Art

“Raices” Art Exhibit

“Raices,” or “Roots,” is a new public exhibit by Mexican artist Rivelino, designed to provoke reflection about the nation’s past. read more

January 25 – January 28, 2012 Centro Banamex

Mexico International Furniture Fair

Hundreds of vendors from various countries exhibit their beautiful and unique furniture during this three-day display of craftsmanship.  read more

February 09 – February 11, 2012 Teatro Julio Castillo

International Symposium of Contemporary Art Theory

Artists, architects, writers and visionaries of contemporary art exhibit their work. read more

February 10 – May 03, 2012

Traveling Film Festival “Ambulante”

This travelling documentary film festival serves as a forum for ground-breaking Mexican documentaries. read more

February 23 – March 01, 2012 The University Cultural Center

UNAM’s International Film Festival

The Festival introduces audiences to cinema as a social driving force. read more

Surprising Fact

Even during the current recession, foreign direct investment to Mexico City has grown by 4.5 percent.

Overheard

If Mexican doctors and nurses give their regular patients just a fraction of the royal treatment that they gave me, they are offering a much more personalized service than one can find in most U.S. hospitals

— Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald

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