Chapultepec Park in Miguel Hidalgo

Visit Chapultepec Castle, explore the National Museum or take the kids to the amusement centre and children’s museum in this sprawling city park.

Spanning 1,695 acres (686 hectares), and offering a castle, an amusement park and several museums, this park feels like a wilderness oasis within the city limits.

Chapultepec Park (also known as Bosque de Chapultepec) is divided into three sections. The first contains Chapultepec Castle and a number of museums. Admire exhibits at the Modern Art Museum, Tamayo Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of History and the National Museum of Anthropology.

If you would prefer to spend your day outdoors, rent a boat and explore Lake Menor, or stroll through the Botanical Gardens. Impromptu musical and theatrical performances often take place throughout the outdoor grounds so you may stumble upon a concert as you walk through the park.

The National Auditorium offers a variety of changing productions that visitors can enjoy, so check their website for details. Look out for the Avenue of the Poets, a walkway lined with the busts of famous poets. Children and adults alike will enjoy the Chapultepec Zoo, which is known for its successful panda conservation programme.

The second section is a great place to bring young ones for the day. La Feria Chapultepec Mágico is a sprawling amusement park that houses some of the largest roller coasters in the world. Enjoy a host of interactive exhibits at Papalote Museo del Niño, the city’s famous children’s museum. Be sure to look out for Fuente de Tlaloc, Diego Rivera’s famous fountain and outdoor art installation as you stroll down the park’s pathways.

The third section of Chapultepec provides a completely different experience. The heavily forested area is a designated nature preserve and is defined by its wild habitat. It is home to Atlantis, a marine wildlife park where you can swim with dolphins and sea lions.

Chapultepec is easily accessible from most parts of Mexico City by foot or cab. The subway also has a stop right outside the park.