This huge city has plenty of options for having fun, and you won’t always have to spend all your money. We’ve put together a list of free places to visit in Mexico City, so get ready to head out and enjoy art, theater, and much more.
Saving a little money doesn’t have to mean boredom this time—start planning today what to do in Mexico City!
In Los Pinos, you’ll find a very special spot: Jardín Hondonada.
Get ready to take a nice break and clear your head in the fresh air.
It’s even better if you go with the kids! This space is adorned with animal sculptures and reflecting pools.
Minecraft Theme Park
In the Venustiano Carranza borough, you’ll find a park inspired by Minecraft—get ready to step into a world of blocks!
There’s a children’s playground, as well as a skate park, and soccer and basketball courts. You can bring your dog along, since this park has a dog-walking area.
In Polanco, there’s a new Diez Companyshowroom —yes, the project dedicated to promoting global trends in lighting, architecture, and design. You’ll see the most innovative pieces, creations from brands and artists around the world. All housed in a 20th-century Art Deco mansion. Want to know a secret? The photos turn out amazing! Note: You’ll need to book your visit in advance.
If you’re looking for free places in Mexico City that are ideal for kids, the Alberca Encantada is a great option. It’s a play area set up inside the old swimming pool at Casa Miguel Alemán in the Los Pinos Cultural Complex.
La Alberca Encantada is for children ages 5 to 10; it features sensory activities and group play. Admission is free, and it operates with scheduled sessions from Wednesday through Sunday.
Enjoy go-karts and lots of free activities at Utopía Mixiuhca!
It’s a complex in Iztacalco with a go-kart track, mini-golf, a semi-Olympic-sized pool, a temazcal, a fossil area, and more options to keep the kids entertained.
Cineteca Video Library
Have you heard of the Carlos Monsivaís Digital Video Library? Located inside the Cineteca Nacional, it houses a collection of over 9,000 films. The catalog includes titles that may be rare and hard to find. Plus, there are stations where you can watch your selection. Admission is free, but you must register your visit by emailing coordinacionvideoteca@cinetecanacional.net.📽️
Freeplays? In the San Rafael neighborhood, you’ll find this theater where performances take place every day of the week. Of course, admission is free. However, you can make a voluntary donation to help this project continue putting on shows. There are performances for both adults and kids.
Check out the event schedule on Instagram
Haven’t visited the Jumex Museum yet? Be sure to stop by in 2025! Here you’ll find contemporary art exhibitions, including both permanent and temporary displays. International artists are featured here, and the venue’s architecture is a stunning sight to behold. 🖼️
This museum simply had to be on the list of free places in Mexico City. Through its immersive exhibits, you’ll discover more about ecosystems and the environment. Plus, there’s a venue for performances and cultural activities. Ideal for visiting with children. 🌱
This cultural space hosts truly amazing exhibitions. You’ll find pieces by international artists that are sure to catch your eye, and you can snap a new profile picture or two. There’s also a lounge area called Algo Público, where you’ll find benches, hammocks, a food truck for snacks, and pet-friendly areas to enjoy with your furry friend. 🖌️
At the Barco Utopía, in the Iztapalapa borough, there’s a digital aquarium where you can learn about marine species, climate change, and much more. All through a navigation simulator and other must-see attractions. The venue also features a library, an outdoor forum, and even a screening room. 🐠
The Axolotl Museum, or Anfibium, is an interactive, immersive, and educational space located inside the Chapultepec Zoo. Here you’ll learn more about this species, its habitat, and how you can help with its conservation.
This interactive museum at UNAM has six permanent galleries featuring vertebrate exhibits such as fish, reptiles, and amphibians, birds, and mammals. It also boasts an impressive collection of wood specimens. 🐊
There are also two laboratories: Genomic Sequencing and Molecular Biology. And on the lower level, you’ll find artworks from the Soumaya Museum related to the animal kingdom.
This free-admission venue is located on what used to be a parking lot. Now it’s a venue and a space for exhibitions on environmental culture and climate change.
The Center for Environmental Culture consists of a series of themed gardens that reinterpret the landscapes of the most representative ecosystems of the Valley of Mexico Basin. It’s ideal for when you need a breath of fresh air.
If you’re a fan of Dr. Simi and are looking for free places in Mexico City, be sure to visit Similandia. It’s a space that offers interactive and immersive attractions, as well as virtual reality. Plus, you’ll find plenty of merchandise featuring this lovable character. 🩺
University City
We invite you to take a stroll through the National Autonomous University of Mexico and enjoy its stunning green spaces. Yes, Las Islas is a must-see spot to relax, have a picnic, and even go on a date.
Venture out to explore the planetarium, theaters, museums, and exhibition halls located near one of the world’s most important universities.
On the last Wednesday of every month, Mexico City stays up late. That’s because many museums come together to host an evening of the arts. With special activities like plays, concerts, and exclusive exhibitions, these venues extend their closing times. Admission is free at most of them, though a few charge a nominal fee.
Soumaya Museum
No list of free places in Mexico City would be complete without the Soumaya Museum. It’s one of the most modern museums in the country; its structure is a work of art in itself. In its permanent collection, you’ll find works by Rodin, Dalí, Murillo, Siqueiros, Rivera, and many other artists.
What better plan than to take a stroll through one of the forests in the world. Specifically, Chapultepec Forest spans more than 647 hectares, so you can even get your fill of green spaces. 🌳
It’s also home to the botanical garden, the Cárcamo de Dolores, the sensory garden, and the Voladores de Papantla show in front of the Museum of Anthropology. Here’s a list of things to do in Chapultepec across all sections.
Cuicuilco Pyramid
Although it’s a rarely visited archaeological site in the southern part of the city, this circular pyramid is a beautiful remnant of the Cuicuilca culture. After the eruption of the Xitle volcano, the entire city was buried under lava. Without a doubt, it’s a free activity you shouldn’t miss in Mexico City.
Iturbide Palace
At this venue, you can admire the Baroque-style architecture and enjoy temporary exhibitions, in addition to its permanent exhibition, which features works from Citibanamex’s art collection.
Here’s what you’ll find: a library, a music library, a variety of educational workshops, a bookstore, and even a multimedia and video room. It’s one of the must-visit spots when you’re looking for free activities in Mexico City.
This gem of the capital is located between Tacuba Street and Eje Central. Also known as the Quinta Casa de Correos, its design is an excellent blend of Gothic and Plateresque elements, marble columns, and wrought-iron windows.
Although you can take a virtual tour, nothing compares to the experience of strolling through its halls.
Metropolitan Cathedral
If you like admiring buildings and enjoy architecture, this is a must-see in Mexico City. The Metropolitan Cathedral, located in the Zócalo, is one of the most fascinating sites and has become a must-see for tourists, locals, and visitors alike.
Mexico City’s Historic Center is full of free activities. Some of them include: the Numismatic Museum, the Spanish Cultural Center, the Museum and Archive of Photography, the Estanquillo Museum, the Shoe Museum, the Palace of the School of Medicine, and the National Museum of Cultures. You can check the list of museums with free admission here.
Opened in 1934 under the name Museo de Artes, this venue was Mexico’s first art museum. You can tour its galleries for free to explore its main spaces. However, to visit the permanent exhibitions, you’ll need to pay the general admission fee. Learn more about guided tours here.
Designed by Mexican engineer José Ramón Ibarrola for the 1884–1885 World’s Fair and the 1902 St. Louis, Missouri, Exposition, this pavilion is a true beauty. Visiting it is the perfect plan for when you don’t know what to do for free in Mexico City.
is located in the heart of the Santa María la Ribera neighborhood and is the perfect spot to go for a walk, relax, and even enjoy some ice cream.
Skateboarding is one of those sports that never goes out of style, and luckily for Mexico City residents, there are outdoor spots, in the woods, and even inside a mansion where you can skate. You can find the guide to skateboarding spots here. 🛹
Admission is free, and you can visit the animals Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s important to note that the Chapultepec Zoo is closed on Mondays, December 25, and January 1.
Coyoacán Green Spaces
Are you fitness-minded? This is a must-see when you’re looking for free places in Mexico City! You can run or walk surrounded by nature and enjoy this small, peaceful urban oasis.
