When my son was two months old, we packed up his burp cloths and travel bassinet and hopped on his first flight—a quick 1.5 hours to Mexico City. We rented a cozy apartment in the trendy Condesa neighborhood. For a weekend, we went for long stroller walks during the day and enjoyed world-class restaurants at night. We visited baby’s first brewery and spent evenings listening to live music in the park. 

Since then, my now-two-year-old has been back to Mexico City three times. He even took his first steps in a Condesa Airbnb. While our activities have evolved to accommodate our toddler’s growing interests, we still choose to stay in Condesa every time we visit. Here are some of our favorite things to do while we’re there: 

Spend time in Parque Mexico 

Without a doubt, this has consistently been our favorite thing to do while in Mexico City with our son. When he was a baby, we’d spend hours sitting by the fountain watching the dogs in the dog park while he squealed and waved to every furry face that ran by. As he got older, he’d play on the playground while we chatted with other moms and dads, both local to the neighborhood and also from all over the world. 

Wander at your little one’s pace through the park where you’ll come across all sorts of interesting people and activities like salsa lessons, tai chi experts, roller bladers, balloon vendors and more. At lunchtime, we pop into park-side restaurants like Maque or Nonna for a bite to eat. 

Walk Avenida Amsterdam

Avenida Amsterdam encircles Parque Mexico with a pedestrian path running right down the center. This shady, tree-lined walkway is ideal for leisurely walks to let younger babies nap in their stroller while you people watch and take in the beauty of Condesa. 

Surrounded in most sections by hedges on either side, it’s also great for toddlers with energy to burn. Benches along the way are great for quick snack breaks and Avenida Amsterdam is lined with cafes where you can grab a refreshing drink or a quick bite. The whole loop takes about 30 minutes to complete (without breaks), so it’s a relaxing and scenic way to explore Condesa at your own pace.

Visit Chapultepec Park

A short drive or walk from Condesa, Chapultepec Park is a must-visit for families with young kids. The park is huge, and you could spend an entire afternoon, if not an entire day, exploring the grounds. 

The Chapultepec Zoo, enclosed within Chapultepec Park, is one of our favorite stops. Since admission is free, it can get really crowded on weekends and late afternoons so it’s best to visit on weekday mornings if possible. 

Papalote Museo del Niño is a children’s museum located within the park. It’s a hands-on wonderland for kids, featuring interactive exhibits, sensory play areas and a soft play area for babies and younger toddlers. For older kids, don’t miss the educational films shown in the IMAX theatre. 

Pop in a local market

Local markets, like Mercado Medellín, are one of the best ways to have a full sensory experience of Mexican culture. Mercado Medellín is bustling with vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts and delicious street food. Your toddler can sample freshly made tortillas while they explore the different stalls. Grab a cup of fresh mango to enjoy on your walk home.

On the weekends, there is an organic market in Parque México. They also often have dogs and cats that are up for adoption that your little one can play with. Grab some local fruits, enjoy live music and let your toddler explore at their own pace.