Mexico’s National Independence Day is right around the corner, and it’s the best time to find yourself at City Center.

Between the parade that takes over multiple city blocks, music and festivities at the Zocalo, and a ton of places to eat and drink nearby, it’s where you’ll want to find yourself come Friday, September 16th.

We recommend setting out on bike, as it’s your best way to cover a lot of territory without dealing with the inevitable congestion that closed down streets bring. Start at El Mayor and enjoy a breakfast with a view of Templo Mayor, the amazing ruins located right in the middle of the city.

After breakfast, walk over to San Ildefonso to see the exhibits and stunning Rivera and Orozco murals. Here you can relax and listen to a jazz concert at the Simon Bolivar amphitheater. When the music wraps up, head to the cathedral in the Zocalo and go for the rooftop tour for amazing views of the city from one of our oldest landmarks.

From the Zocalo, walk through Madero which should be festive around this time, brimming with people wearing our national colors. Go all the way to the Bellas Artes palace and the Alameda Park and take a seat (you might be a little tired), or grab a cerveza at Pasaje Alameda. From here, you’re in really close proximity to the Museo de Arte Popular and Mercado San Juan, perfect for a museum tour followed by fresh seafood lunch. If shopping is on your to-do list, there’s tons of shops near Pasaje Alameda, and back at the Downtown Hotel, where you can also grab a drink, dinner at Limosneros, and then some mezcal at Bosforo Bar.

Happy Independence Day! We’ll be closed in celebration, but we wish you and yours a great holiday.