See a different side of Mexico City at the Tianguis Cultural del Chopo – a counterculture flea market along Aldama Street in Colonia Guerrero that specializes in music, mostly rock and punk. Join the punks, rockers, emos and metalheads as they browse for various knickknacks from 11 AM to 5 PM every Saturday. Here’s what you need to know about exploring Tianguis Cultural del Chopo and other under-the-radar activities in Mexico City.
What Is the Chopo Tianguis?
This weekend market (known as “El Chopo” locally) has been around since the 1980, when vendors and customers were first interested in finding the latest music genres on vinyl, then cassette tapes, and eventually CDs. Even is the modern days of the Internet, you can still find just about anything music-related (especially if you’re a vinyl collector), but you can also shop for alterna-crafts, clothing, footwear and collectibles from approximately 200 stalls.
There used to be quite a variety of live music at the tianguis – think Zoe, Division Minusula and Julieta Venegas – but today there are just a few buskers. You’ll more than make up for it with the entertainment of people-watching here!
Get a tattoo or get dreads, then wander about the stalls. Be aware that there will be open drinking and marijuana smoking. Common wisdom would suggest that instead of joining the risky behavior in the streets that instead you pop into one of the small bars for a beer or two.
Where Is the Chopo Tianguis?
Fine the Tianguis Cultural del Chopo on Aldama Street in the Guerrero neighborhood between Sol and Luna streets. The market is open 11 AM to 5 PM every Saturday. To get there, you can take the metro to Revolucion Station or take the bus to Buenavista Station. If you’re driving, park on Aldama Street past Mosqueta Street.
What Other Off-the-Beaten-Path Activities Should I Do in Mexico City?
Admire Street Art
Mexico City is overflowing with graffiti art – especially if you know where to look for it. Check out the street art of Sofia Castellanos and AEC, head to the up-and-coming collectives in the Buena Vista Corridor of Art, visit the artistic treasures of the Space Tunnel and the Talisman mammoth. From murals to intricate tags on doors, there’s a wide variety of street art everywhere you look throughout the city.
Explore Contemporary Art in San Rafael
Head inside from your street art tour to the art galleries of San Rafael (Roma and Condesa are fantastic contemporary art scenes, too). Don’t miss the non-profit, artist-run Casa Maauad and the up-and-coming Yautepec gallery
Indulge in Pastries
Dine Like a Local
There are chefs hailing from all over the world in Mexico City, creating a globally influenced food scene that is making waves. Save money and eat authentically when you stick to street food and small, locally owned eateries. Favorites include the conchinta pibil at El Turix, the spot-on tacos at Los Cocuyos and chilaquiles for breakfast (from just about anywhere). Consider a food tour that will guide you through the various Mexico City neighborhoods, each one known for its own culinary specialties.
Visit with Mummies and Play with Toys
The Museo del Carmen was originally a Carmelite school for boys. Today, it houses 12 mummies of former church supporters. Grab a $4 admission tickets and tour the mummies, colonial-era art and surrounding gardens.
For another quiet museum experience, visit the four floors of the Old Toy Museum, overflowing with vintage Mexican toys. The bizarre collections can, admittedly, be a bit eerie. Housed in a museum that looks like, well, a normal house, the museum is just hard enough to find that it doesn’t routinely attract a large crowd. Once inside, check out the Space-Age astronaut figures and antique Lucha libre dolls, then ask the front desk for the secret password to the rooftop bar.
Share the Locals’ Passion
Whether it’s salsa or soccer (futbol), one of the best ways to authentically experience Mexico City is to join the locals in their favorite pastimes. Check out the hot salsa club Mama Rumba, where you might even be offered a free salsa lesson by a seasoned salsa pro upon entry.
Follow this up with a professional futbol game at Estadio Azteca, Mexico’s largest stadium. These matches are the very epitome of the Mexico City spirit and passion. You can tour the stadium during the day, but nothing beats the full-on game-time experience. Get tickets well ahead of time.
Check Out the Planetarium
Go north to the more overlooked neighborhoods of Mexico City (generally safer during the daytime than after dark) to the Planetario Luis Enrique Erro, the oldest planetarium in Latin America. It’s a real gem with numerous interactive and static exhibits and a great star show.
Visit a Park
There are several sprawling national parks and urban green spaces in and around Mexico City, but to truly feel like a local, head to Casa del Arbol in Desierto de los Leones. Built by a father-son team, this 25-cabin complex was constructed according to eco-friendly and Buddhist principles.
In the heart of the city, take a break at the isolated Pabellon Coreano, with its replica pagoda, and the Audiorama in Chapultepec Park, which streams calming music into the background, making this a most serene and relaxing spot.
Or, go north again to Biblioteca Vasconcelos’ Botanical Garden – there are never too many people on the grounds, so you’ll find plenty of room to roam within the garden’s 279,862 square feet.