🎉Mexico City: 6 things to do with kids that are fun for parents, too💜

Sorry, New York Times. We think kids are into bike and boat rides, pandas and giraffes, and amusement parks. Art history and ecotourism? Not so much.

We weren’t planning to write about things to do with kids in Mexico City. After all, our kids are in their 20s, so our info is a little out of date. Or so we thought.

Then we saw that the New York Times included Mexico City in their article, “Skip the Beach: 5 Cities Where Adults and Kids Can Enjoy Spring Break.”

Their advice is, frankly, ridiculous. That’s why we’re not linking to it here. It’s so bad it made me wonder if it was written by AI.

A few of their suggestions:

• Stay in Polanco: This neighborhood is a lot harder to access with public transportation compared to others, and it’s infamous for its traffic, which complicates taking an Uber.

• Museo Frida Kahlo: This museum is one of Mexico City’s biggest attractions, but I don’t know too many children who want to walk through an old house where an artist used to live, just to see her stuff.

• Arca Tierra: Hmm. It’s described as an “introduction to seasonal foods and local farming practices.” Some kids might be into that, maybe? Also, this place has availability one day a month (at least for March and April), so good luck fitting it into your schedule.

This thing is, Mexico City really is a kid-friendly place. There’s so much for families to see and do here that everyone would enjoy.

Here’s a selection of activities we recommend:

1. Xochimilco

Our daughter Kelly holding a snake at Xochimilco.

Instead of visiting Arca Tierra, take a trajinera (similar to a gondola) out on a weekday morning when the canals are quieter. Ask to stop at the small reptile museum, where, if they’re brave enough, your kids can see and even hold snakes and other animals. (To be fair, Xochimilco gets a passing mention in the NYTimes.)

🐼2. Chapultepec Zoo

A giraffe at the Chapultepec Zoo.

The big draw here is the giant panda—one of the few in North America. This zoo also has kangaroos, tigers, giraffes, and more. Admission to the zoo is free. The butterfly exhibit costs $45 to $50 MXN ($2.25 to $2.50 USD), free under age 2. The serpent exhibit costs $35 MXN ($1.75 USD), $25 MXN ($1.25 USD) ages 6 to 13, free age 5 and under.

🚣3. Chapultepec Park

Rowboats and paddleboats at Chapultepec Park.

If you don’t fill the whole day at Chapultepec Zoo, spend some time in this incredible park. There’s a kids’ play area (La Tapatia) with wheelchair access, an amusement park (Parque Aztlan), an amphibian museum (Anfibium), a children’s museum (Papalote Children’s Museum), and Chapultepec Lake with rowboats and paddleboats.

🚲4. Reforma

Biking on Reforma.

On Sunday mornings/early afternoons, Avenida Paseo de Reforma is closed to vehicles, and locals and visitors bike, walk, jog, and rollerblade past iconic sights like El Angel de Independencia and Fuente de la Diana Cazadora (Diana the Huntress Fountain). We recommend renting bikes with Ecobici. Upload the app and set up your account ahead of time to make it easier when you’re ready to ride.

🐶5. Parque Mexico

These dogs aren’t at Parque Mexico, but you get the idea.

This park in the Condesa neighborhood gets a mention from the NYTimes, but they skip over its biggest draw—the dogs. Mexico City has the best-behaved dogs we’ve seen anywhere, and the dog park in Parque Mexico means you’ll see tons of dogs running around and playing. Don’t be surprised to see one dog-walker surrounded by six or eight dogs.

🎈6. Hot-air balloon ride

Balloons over a pyramid at Teotihuacán.

Depending on how old your kids are, you may want to take a family hot-air balloon ride over the Teotihuacán pyramids. It’s an amazing, unforgettable time that will probably be the highlight of your trip. Here’s what to know:

Mexico City hot-air balloon ride: A bucket-list experience