Street food (comida callejera) is a way of life in Mexico City and it’s estimated that three-quarters of the population consumes it at least once a week. And it’s not just tacos either—the aroma of which tempts hungry passersby with assorted fillings. There are vendors peddling an array of tantalizing treats from dawn till dusk, from elotes and esquites, to tamales, tortas, tostadas, chocolate-dipped churros, and burgers with pineapple.

There is a reliable public transportation network in Mexico City and Ecobici bicycles are available for seeing the city on two wheels. However, if walking is more your jam, certain neighborhoods beckon. La Roma and La Condesa are bohemian and chic featuring sidewalk cafes, a vibrant nightlife scene, trendy museums, and leafy parks at which to spend leisurely days. Polanco is a cosmopolitan enclave north of Bosque de Chapultepec, the city’s lungs. Stretch your legs there for window shopping on the tree-lined Campos Eliseos, Mexico City’s answer to Paris’ Champs-Elysées.

Mexico City has more than 150 museums, and anyone looking to tap into the art scene can often do so without breaking the bank, as many are completely free or have no-fee days. One complimentary standout is the grandiose Museo Soumaya, where visitors can marvel at Carlos Slim's eclectic art collection which includes Rodin sculptures and Picasso and Van Gogh paintings. Nearby, Museo Jumex showcases cutting-edge contemporary art in a sleek minimalist building, also for free. In the historic center, Palacio de Bellas Artes dazzles with its iconic Art Deco design and Diego Rivera murals at no cost on Sundays.

Whether it's the thunderous cheers of Independence Day or the spirited parades of Revolution Day, festivals in Mexico City are a front seat to Mexican culture and history in action. Time your Mexico City trip right, and you could find yourself amidst the lively festivities of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in late October and early November. Or, for music enthusiasts, the city hosts an array of electrifying annual music festivals from Electric Daisy Carnival to Corona Capital and the iconic Vive Latino when Spanish-speaking rock legends grace the stage.

The sprawling metropolis of Mexico City is no stranger to the tremors of the earth and these seismic events have left indelible marks on its landscape and psyche. The most devastating of these earthquakes hit on September 19, 1985, with thousands of lives lost and buildings reduced to rubble. The anniversary of this quake is often marked with national drills and has become hauntingly significant when another earthquake, measuring 7.1, struck on the same date in 2017. To cope with these challenges, the city has strengthened building codes and introduced warning sirens and seismic sensors.