17 Cool Things To Do In Chapultepec Park Mexico City

There’s so much going on in Chapultepec Park Mexico City, you could spend your whole vacation here! We’re not just talking minor attractions either, as both the National Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Castle make our list of top things to do in CDMX.

Living in Condesa, which is right on the southeastern side of the park, we spend quite a bit of our leisure time in these green surroundings. Known as the lungs of the city, the area has plenty of fresh air and soothing nature to help us take the edge off.

Even though it’s a hugely popular place for locals to go to relax, the sheer size of Bosque de Chapultepec means we’ve still found numerous places to go for some peace and quiet. For one, the totally underrated Fuente Del Quijote.

As part of our goal to provide helpful tips and suggestions for all the main Mexico City neighbourhoods, we’ve put together a list of places within Chapultepec that we’ve enjoyed – and hope you do, too!

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Bosque De Chapultepec: Introduction 

The Bosque de Chapultepec park is massive. Covering more than 1,700 acres, it’s twice the size of New York’s Central Park – which explains how it can fit a zoo, multiple lakes, a botanical garden, an amusement park, and more within its bounds.

If you like being on the cusp of nature and going for scenic runs, a hotel or Airbnb around these parts is definitely where to stay in Mexico City.

Technically, Bosque de Chapultepec translates as Chapultepec Forest, but nobody really calls it that in English since most of it isn’t really a forest – although it used to be. Way back when the site was filled with giant cypress trees. 

People have been attracted to Chapultepec for thousands of years. Its name, which means ‘Grasshopper Hill’ in Nahuatl, is thought to have originated with the Toltecs sometime at the beginning of the 2nd millennium CE.

During the period of Aztec dominion over the area that is now CDMX, Chapultepec was seen as a sacred place, as well as somewhere water could be gathered and stored from natural springs. Rulers and their families would come here for rest and relaxation. 

After the Spanish arrived, they continued that tradition, with viceroys using the area for hunting and to escape the bustle of the city. Later, it was where military cadets were trained in the art of war.

The first steps towards it becoming the park it is today were taken in 1895, during the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz. Since then, Chapultepec has expanded three times, spreading westward to encompass more land.

Section I is where most of the attractions are located, including the castle and the National Museum of Anthropology. This is where you’ll find the biggest crowds, although Section II is catching up a little with a brand-new amusement park.

Sections III and IV are still quite wild and woolly, with ongoing efforts to develop them into attractive recreational areas. To be honest, we haven’t made it over there yet, so we’ve no idea how it’s turning out. Stay tuned!

Tip: Although the park is open on Monday, a lot of the main attractions are closed, so try to go on another day if you want to see it all.

Things To Do In Chapultepec Park In Mexico City

#1 See The View From Chapultepec Castle

Visiting Chapultepec Castle is our number-one thing to do in the Bosque de Chapultepec. A fantastic piece of architecture with lavish rooms, it’s at the highest point of the park and has awesome views of the surrounding area. It also has a fascinating history.

Originally, the building was commissioned by a Spanish viceroy in the late 1700s as a residence where he could relax in splendour. Following the start of the Mexican Revolution, it lay dormant for several decades, before eventually becoming a Military Academy in 1833.

Pretty soon, it had the opportunity to live up to its castle name by becoming a key fortification in the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War. 

The whole building got a glamorous makeover with the arrival of Emperor Maximilian, who headed the Second Mexican Empire. 

It was then briefly an observatory before becoming the official residence of the President of Mexico. Finally, in 1939, it was turned into the National Museum of History, which it still is today.

Most of the rooms inside the museum cover the post-Columbus period, taking you from the early colonial era right through to the 20th century. We particularly liked the fantastic murals, done by some of Mexico most revered artists like Orozco and Siqueiros.

The most interesting areas to us though were the rooms showcasing the decadent living of the Emperor Maximilian. There’s also a fabulous, unusual checkerboard terrace where you can see across the park and over the skyscrapers of Reforma.

#2 Immerse Yourself In History At Moctezuma Baths

A reminder of the pre-Hispanic usage of Chapultepec Park in Mexico City, the Moctezuma Baths are a window into the past.

OK, so we didn’t find them that interesting to look at, but the history behind them is pretty cool. Legend has it they were first built by Moctezuma I in the 1300s as a place for royal bathing and as reservoirs to store fresh spring water. Through a series of aqueducts, these pools could supply the city of Tenochtitlan.

Only a fragment of the former water system remains, and even that is a complete reconstruction. Still, it’s an interesting thing to learn about, even if we found a lot more interesting Mesoamerican exhibits at the National Museum of Anthropology.

WHERE: Google Location

#3 Deep Dive Into Mesoamerica At Museo Nacional De Antropología

If you’re a history buff, the National Museum of Anthropology should top the list of what to do in Chapultepec Park. This place is jam-packed with all kinds of amazing pieces of Mesoamerican sculpture, jewellery, and other assorted treasures. 

It’s incredible how much stuff has been sourced from around Mexico to make its way here, from giant Olmec heads found in the jungles of Tabasco to a ballgame goal from Chichen Itza. We were even impressed by the elaborate replicas and reproductions, which range from Moctezuma’s feathered headdress to the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.

The museum is divided up according to different eras and civilisations, so you get a good feel for the unique facets of cultures like the Toltecs, the Zapotecs, and of course the Aztecs.

Even though Mal speaks Spanish, it was helpful to have lots of English information inside! There are also free tours throughout the day, but even without that you get a ton of detail.

This is one of the most popular attractions in all CDMX, so try and turn up just before opening time if you want to avoid the queues. 

#4 Row Your Boat On Chapultepec Lake

There are several different bodies of water with the park, but Chapultepec Lake is easily the most popular. Near the middle of Section I, it’s frequented by local birdlife, which lend their chirping to create a charming natural ambiance.

We rented a rowboat here one sunny day for a romantic little ride, and it’s something we definitely recommend. Apart from lapping up the scenery, it’s also quite a relaxing experience – once you get the hang of the boat!

There’s also an option to get a pedalo instead if you don’t think your arms are up to the task of rowing.

The lake can get quite busy on weekends, but weekdays are normally quieter. 

WHERE: Google Location

#5 Marvel At The Altar A La Patria

Bosque de Chapultepec Mexico City has been the site of one particularly important historical event above all others: the Battle of Chapultepec, which is commemorated by the beautiful Altar a la Patria.

The battle took place during the Mexican-American War and was fought over control of Chapultepec Castle, which was seen as key to the defence/siege of Mexico City. Although the conflict was a victory for the Americans, it has been immortalised in Mexican memory by the brave actions of six cadets, who, rather than retreat, fought to their dying breath. 

Legend has it that the final survivor determined not to allow the forces of the United States to seize the Mexican flag, wrapped himself in the flag, and threw himself from the ramparts to his death.

It’s this going out in a blaze of glory that is immortalised by the Altar a la Patria, more commonly known as the Monumento a los Ninos Heroes (‘Monument to the Hero Boys’).

Even before we learned the history of the sculpture, we were struck by its dramatic appearance. Made from Carrara marble, it has six white columns carved with black eagles and topped with a black torch. At the centre of these pillars, a woman mourns over the body of a fallen boy, while another boy stands defiantly beside her.

WHERE: Google Location

#6 Snap A Selfie In Front Of The CDMX Letters

On a less sombre note, one of the more frivolous (but still essential) things to do in Chapultepec Park is to take a photo in front of the CDMX letters. Because otherwise how will people know you’re in Mexico City?! 😂

The sign has been rather artfully placed right in front of the southern bank of Chapultepec Lake, so you have the view of the water and the trees in the background, with the tower blocks of Polanco just peeping out in the background.

WHERE: Google Location

#7 Rent A Bike From La Casa De La Bici 

When we have a bit of free time on a balmy day, we like to enjoy a cycle around some of CDMX’s more scenic areas – and there’s nowhere more scenic than Chapultepec Park!

In general, we rely on the Ecobici system for our CDMX bike rentals. Once you have an account set up, it’s really easy to check out a bicycle using the city’s transportation card (Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada).

HOWEVER, this does have one big downside, which is that you can only rent a bike for 45 minutes at a time. That’s not a big problem for us, since we usually only plan to enjoy a brief cycle, but if you want to explore the whole of Chapultepec, you’re going to want longer!

There is quite a handy place inside the park, aptly called La Casa de la Bici, that’s great for extended rentals. We popped by recently, and they were loaning bikes for half an hour (60 pesos), an hour (80 pesos), a couple of hours (120 pesos), or a whole day (270 pesos). 

According to the sign outside, it’s open from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm from Tuesday to Sunday, so pretty much whenever Section I of the park is open.

WHERE: Google Location

#8 Relax In The Audiorama

The concept of the Audiorama was a new one to us when we arrived in CDMX. Essentially, it’s like a chillout space within a park where they play soothing music. Talking isn’t allowed, but you can read or just relax on some of the provided seating.

There’s one in Parque, Mexico, in Condesa, where we live, and another in Bosque de Chapultepec, just a short walk south of the castle.

The Audiorama in Chapultepec Park in Mexico City seems to get busier, but it’s still a really cool concept and a nice way to zone out for a few minutes in the middle of a busy day.

WHERE: Google Location

#9 Enjoy Some Peace And Quiet At Fuente Del Quijote

Speaking of zoning out, Chapultepec Park is filled with tranquil little hideaways other than the Audiorama, where you can enjoy a break. Lots of Section II is seldom visited by people, but even in Section I we’ve found corners of solitude.

One of these is the Fuente del Quijote. Towards the western end of Section I, it’s a little square with prettily tiled benches at each corner. The tiles depict scenes from Spain’s most famous novel, Don Quixote. 

There’s a small fountain at the centre with mermaids cavorting, but it’s the other sculptures nearby that gave us a chuckle. One depicts Don Quixote with the face of Salvador Dali, while the other depicts the hero’s faithful companion, Sancho Panza, with the face of Diego Rivera. Homage or insult? You decide!

WHERE: Google Location

#10 Discover The Plant Life At The Jardín Botánico

One of the main Chapultepec Park attractions for both tourists and Chilangos, the Botanical Garden is a completely free voyage into the plant kingdom.

Interestingly, it’s thought that there was originally a botanical garden in Chapultepec all the way back in the 15th century, when the ruler Nezahualcoyotl gathered specimens from around the country.

The modern space only opened relatively recently, in 2006. Spread over 5.3 hectares, it has more than 300 varieties of plants, including different kinds of cacti and an impressive collection of rare orchids housed in a steamy greenhouse. 

We like to keep an eye on the Facebook page of Bosque de Chapultepec to see if they are running any tours or workshops.

WHERE: Google Location

#11 Grab A Coffee At Librería Porrúa

A big chunk of our time in CDMX has been spent in cute coffee shops all over town. Our best discovery around Chapultepec Park has been Libreria Porrua, which is part bookstore and part café.

It’s actually a chain with several locations in the capital, but this is the only one we really frequent. We always try to grab one of the tables with a view of the lake, then order one of the panini combo deals and chill out for a while enjoying the views. 

While Libreria Porrua might not make our cut of best cafes in terms of artisan coffee, they do espressos, americanos, and chais that are perfectly fine, as well a cooling selection of frappes.

Just a short walk from the National Museum of Anthropology, it’s a logical stop off after a visit to that temple of Mesoamerican history, so you can sit down and digest the informational overload!

WHERE: Google Location

#12 Dazzle Yourself At The House Of Mirrors

If you’re travelling with kids, there are a ton of child-friendly things to do in Chapultepec Park. There’s even a particular area with a few different activities all side by side.

All these activities are quite basic but seem entertaining for youngsters. There’s a House of Mirrors, which is basically like one of those amusement park things where the mirrors make your body fat, long, etc. Next to this is the Crystal Labyrinth, which is a maze of reflective glass that you have to find your way through.

There’s also a carousel, a mini zip line, and a myths and legends experience in the same area.

Last time we went, it was 20 pesos for the House of Mirrors, 20 pesos for the Crystal Labyrinth, 20 pesos for the myths and legends, 25 pesos for the carousel, and 45 pesos for the zip line, but they offer combo deals that make it a lot cheaper.

WHERE: Google Location

#13 Go Wild At Aztlán Parque Urbano

If you are after activities that are a little more technologically advanced, a brand-new amusement park has just opened in Section II of Chapultepec Park. 

In fact, it’s so new that quite a few of the rides weren’t finished when we went to check it out! Fortunately, we didn’t feel shortchanged since entry is free. They give you a complimentary card when you go in that you charge up with as much cash as you want to spend on rides.

Aztlan Parque Urbano has the type of stuff you would expect from an amusement park, like a rollercoaster, a Ferris wheel, and bumper cars. There looked like there was loads more stuff coming, but no indication of when it will open. 

Still, since you’re not paying for entry, it doesn’t hurt to go along and see.

WHERE: Google Location

#14 Take The Kids To Papalote Museo Del Niño

One of the more established Chapultepec Park attractions for children, the Papalote Children’s Museum puts an educational spin on entertainment.

There are the usual interactive exhibits you expect from this kind of place, but also a lot of experience-based workshops. For example, there’s a pretend supermarket where kids can shop as well as a science lab where they can tinker with experiments.

A bit of a downside for tourists is that it’s all geared towards Spanish speakers, so you’ll need to know the lingo to take full advantage.

#15 Eat A Meal At Bistró Chapultepec

One of the prettiest places to eat in the park, this restaurant is right on the northern bank of Lago Mayor, in Section II of Chapultepec. 

Food is a little pricey, but we reckon it’s worth it for the overall vibe, particularly if you can get a table close to the water. 

We prefer to come when they’re serving breakfast since they offer all the usual Mexican suspects like chilaquiles, enchiladas, and egg dishes, as well as pastries for something lighter.

After noon, it switches over to more of a hodgepodge of international dishes.

During weekends, they do an all-you-can-eat buffet, which is a bonus for big eaters but not such good value for more modest diners!

WHERE: Google Location

#16 See The Animals At Chapultepec Zoo

We know what you’re thinking: is there anything Chapultepec Park doesn’t have? 

Not only is the zoo stocked with a whole bunch of animals, it’s also largely free! You can go and see everything from giraffes and tigers to giant pandas and antelope, all without paying a peso, which has to be a rarity anywhere in the world.

When we went, there were a couple of areas that seemed to have paid entrance, like the herpetarium where the snakes are and the butterfly house, but we skipped over those. 

If you’ve not heard of the axolotl, make sure you check out these quirky little critters. They’re essentially cute fishy lizards that can regrow injured parts of their body, including their heart and brain!

WHERE: Google Location

#17 Snack Away On Avenida Heroico Colegio Militar

In the middle of all the Chapultepec Park activities, you’ll definitely feel a bit peckish. Never fear, because even if you don’t want a sit-down meal at a café or restaurant, there are some great stalls selling simple snacks along the Avenida Heroico Colegio Militar.

Now, the Avenida Heroico Colegio Militar is a huge loop that covers a big chunk of Section I. It’s quite a good route for a morning run for anyone who’s interested, but we’re talking specifically about the northern bit, not far from Chapultepec Lake.

It’s here that you’ll find carts vending Mexican favs like paletas (fruity ice lollies), dorilocos (Doritos topped with veg and spicy sauce), and chicharron (deep-fried pork rinds). There’s also a whole bunch of tourist souvenir tat here, too – although we did find a rather fetching pair of sunglasses on the fly.

Even though you might be tempted by something more substantial at the nearby ‘Zona de Comida,’ we’d strongly advise against buying anything there. The food is straight-up bad and overpriced.

WHERE: Google Location

Chapultepec Park Mexico City: FAQs

Is Chapultepec safe?

Yes, Chapultepec Park is one of the safest parts of CDMX. That’s especially true of Section I, which is the most heavily frequented area and holds most of the attractions. We haven’t personally been to Section III, but some people have told us it can feel less safe because it’s not very busy.

Is Chapultepec Park worth visiting?

Yes, definitely! Aside from all the beautiful nature, the park has some of our favourite attractions in CDMX, including the National Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Castle. As part-time residents, we spend a lot of time here chilling out, but it’s just as worth visiting for tourists.

Is Chapultepec Park walkable?

Yes, Chapultepec Park is crisscrossed with lots of lovely walking paths. It is a huge area though, so if you want to deep dive into the park’s various areas you might want to consider renting a bike from somewhere like La Casa de la Bici for a couple of hours.

How to get to Chapultepec Park?

There are two of Metro lines that come out right next to entrances. Chapultepec Station on Line 1 is on the eastern side of the park, while Auditorio on Line 7 is on the northern side. Alternatively, Metrobus Line 7 stops at several points around the park, as does the Turibus.

Chapultepec Park Mexico City: The Wrap-Up

Chapultepec Park is a marvellous mix of history, nature, and activities. Whether you’re coming here as a couple, as a family, as friends, or even as a solo traveller, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. 

Perhaps the one thing it’s missing is a variety of decent restaurants, but given the proximity to Condesa, Roma, and Polanco, you don’t have to go far for a tasty bite before diving straight back in!