Mexico City with T(w)eens

[Anonymous]

Hello! I am planning a five day trip with my 11 and 18 year old boys for the first week in July. The things we are definitely going to do are a Lucha Libre Tour (it was hard to find one that would accept kids), a Culinary Backstreets tour in Xochimiclo, and a visit to / hot air ballooning at Teotihuacan.

Any other suggestions? The boys are excellent travelers, but I’m particularly interested in any tour suggestions or other activities in Mexico City that would cater to tween/teen boys (I was just doing a free walking tour in Europe last week and was thinking it would be awfully dry for kids.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Lucia libre, food tours, and hot air balloons? Oh my. Why even bother to travel?! They have museums and ruins, you know? I suggest Castillo de Chapultepec, the Anthropology Museum, and Templo Mayor for starters. Maybe a cathedral tour. Otherwise just stay home. And sorry your European walking tour was so dry, but maybe it was just you. Those are normally great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lucia libre, food tours, and hot air balloons? Oh my. Why even bother to travel?! They have museums and ruins, you know? I suggest Castillo de Chapultepec, the Anthropology Museum, and Templo Mayor for starters. Maybe a cathedral tour. Otherwise just stay home. And sorry your European walking tour was so dry, but maybe it was just you. Those are normally great.

*Lucha

[Anonymous]

The Anthropology Museum is absolutely stunning. One of the best in the world! (Some exhibits are outdoors and are more like taking a walk through ruins.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lucia libre, food tours, and hot air balloons? Oh my. Why even bother to travel?! They have museums and ruins, you know? I suggest Castillo de Chapultepec, the Anthropology Museum, and Templo Mayor for starters. Maybe a cathedral tour. Otherwise just stay home. And sorry your European walking tour was so dry, but maybe it was just you. Those are normally great.

What a bizarre response. Because everyone does Lucha Libre, Mexican food tours, and hot air ballooning at home? What?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lucia libre, food tours, and hot air balloons? Oh my. Why even bother to travel?! They have museums and ruins, you know? I suggest Castillo de Chapultepec, the Anthropology Museum, and Templo Mayor for starters. Maybe a cathedral tour. Otherwise just stay home. And sorry your European walking tour was so dry, but maybe it was just you. Those are normally great.

lol put down the wine Ethel

[Anonymous]

LOL at kids not being allowed into Lucha.

[Anonymous]

Definitely the archaeology museum and also the pyramid. (I think that’s tenochtitlan but I always get it mixed up with teotihuacan).

There is a phenomenal multi part Rest is Hostory podcast on the Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire and a separate one on the pre conquest Aztecs. Both really interesting an a fun listen.

I might also do plaza garibaldi and the mariachi if you think they would like that.

And if you want another tour, I’ve heard of (but haven’t done) walking or bike tours of the murals which sound awesome.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and I’ll just add some of those free walking tours are absolute duds. I did one in Rome from an app and it was so awful — I ended up just using it to find some place and then I’d read the Wikipedia entry on it which was generally more informative. I think some of those free tours are written by AI.

I did a rici steve audio tour and it was pretty good — some humor and more engaging and I think it only cost $10 or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely the archaeology museum and also the pyramid. (I think that’s tenochtitlan but I always get it mixed up with teotihuacan).

There is a phenomenal multi part Rest is Hostory podcast on the Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire and a separate one on the pre conquest Aztecs. Both really interesting an a fun listen.

I might also do plaza garibaldi and the mariachi if you think they would like that.

And if you want another tour, I’ve heard of (but haven’t done) walking or bike tours of the murals which sound awesome.

Thanks. We are going to spend a full day at Teotihuacan (that is where we will do the hot air ballon). And yes definitely on the archeological museum (I’ve been there before) but didn’t know if there was a specific guide that might be great with kids.

The bike ride tour sounds fun but I’m not sure I’m ready to tackle Mexico City on bikes with kids.

[Anonymous]

While at Teotihuacan, there's a restaurant in an open air cave that your kids may like. It's pretty fun and there are dance performances every maybe hour or so?

There used to be poor cell reception near the restaurant (through the back entrance of Teotihuacan) but I'm not sure of that's still the case. The restaurant is called La Gruta.

If you'll be there on a Sunday, your kids may like the Sunday bike ride through central CDMX -- they close Reforma and other roads and you can rent bikes.

Kids definitely go to lucha libre. I've taken literal toddlers there

If your kids might like a market, walk through La Ciudadela to buy handicrafts and maybe give them a budget to pick out stuff. Better yet, try an actual food market. Most neighborhoods have one nearby.

Near there is the Museo de Arte Popular, which I think kids would like. It's not overly big and there are lots of colorful things to look at. The gift shop is nice.

I know everyone raves about the Museo de Antropología but I think it's kind of dry for a preteen. If you go, plan to see a portion in a couple hours and then leave. Trying to see the whole thing is too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lucia libre, food tours, and hot air balloons? Oh my. Why even bother to travel?! They have museums and ruins, you know? I suggest Castillo de Chapultepec, the Anthropology Museum, and Templo Mayor for starters. Maybe a cathedral tour. Otherwise just stay home. And sorry your European walking tour was so dry, but maybe it was just you. Those are normally great.

What a bizarre response. Because everyone does Lucha Libre, Mexican food tours, and hot air ballooning at home? What?

The point is that travel should be about learning and experiencing new cultures, not doing a bunch of stupid activities for Instagram. OP sounds pathetic.

This person is insufferable. Just stop. There is absolutely nothing wrong with catering to teen taste.

Yes there is. Just take them to the mall instead. They will get absolutely nothing out of Mexico if this is the trip you plan. Why even bother?

[Anonymous]

Trotsky museum was super interesting. You don’t need to spend long there.

[Anonymous]

Sorry here with another podcast rec — if either of your kids is studying Spanish, duolingo Spanish podcast did a whole series on Mexican neighborhoods that is really good. Might be a fun listen for some places you’re going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOL at kids not being allowed into Lucha.

Yes, it's ridiculous. Basically, the tours (which I am interested it taking because it will give background and information) nearly all involve tequila tasting a bars in advance, hence the age limit. I did find one though. And yes, I know I could just buy tickets directly for way cheaper but I am interested in getting a guide.