Chapultepec Park

Chapultepec Park (Bosque de Chapultepec) spreads out on either side of Paseo de la Reforma; the main entrance is 1 blk. w. of the Chapultepec Metro station (M: Chapultepec, line 1; Auditorio and Constituyentes, line 7). Nearly twice the size of New York City's Central Park, this sprawling green space was once the exclusive province of Aztec emperors. Montezuma cypress trees (called ahuehuete in Mexico) shade much of this vast city park.

Despite centuries of wear and tear, it's fascinating to stroll along the cobbled walkways, as much for the people-watching as anything else. You won't see many foreign tourists; this is very much a gathering place for local residents. Sunday, when families come here to enjoy their day off, is a fun time to visit.

Chapultepec is divided into three sections. Several notable museums and a number of park attractions are located in the oldest (eastern) section (“1a Sección”), including the National Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of History in Chapultepec Castle. The section west of Calzada Molino del Rey (“2a Sección”) is newer and contains most of the kid-oriented attractions. The Pines (Los Piños), the Mexican president's residence, is just east of Molino del Rey.