Lined with designer boutiques, sleek apartment buildings and art galleries, Polanco is noted as one of the most upscale neighborhoods in the city and is nicknamed the Beverly Hills of Mexico City. Located 10 minutes by Metro from downtown Mexico City, Polanco borders the rolling green beauty of Chapultepec, the city’s largest park with a lake, a castle and a zoo. Start your journey at the glittering silver facade of Museo Soumaya, a free museum filled with an exhaustive collection of European and Latin American art. Continue to Museo Nacional de Antropologia, a beloved anthropology center that displays an intriguing array of pre-Hispanic artifacts. It’s difficult to pare down all the ritzy shopping options. Still, Antara Fashion Hall offers a collection of shops like Carolina Herrera, Allsaints and Calvin Klein in an open-air mall. Relax in Parque Lincoln and enjoy sculptures, a pond and an aviary in this small nature spot. Enter the understated elegance of Pujol, considered one of the best restaurants in the world, for the ultimate Mexican meal. Try the multi course tasting menu but don’t miss the famous mole madre dish. Grab chic respite at Camino Real Polanco. The hotel boasts modern architecture surrounded by a garden and a pond, and an extensive buffet breakfast is included.

Quaint art deco buildings, sidewalk cafes, street art and leafy streets give La Condesa a hip, bohemian vibe. The central location makes hopping the Metro or grabbing an Uber to the neighborhood easy. Stroll under the purple splendor of jacaranda trees and stop in the bustling central plaza of Parque México. This popular green oasis features cascading fountains, small lakes, tropical gardens, sculptures and a refurbished open-air forum that often showcases dance collectives, artisan vendors and live music. Don’t miss the Audiorama in a secluded corner of the park; the area has a silence policy, mediative music, loungers, and books to borrow for reading. A couple of blocks away, Parque Espana supplies quiet paths lined with cypress trees and an enclosed zona canina where you can watch dozens of happy dogs playing. Lose yourself in the colorful contemporary art exhibits at House of Gaga. The gallery hosts local and international artists and is a hip cultural hub. La Condesa is known for its bookstores so don’t miss Under The Volcano, a quirky English bookstore with a selection of used, classic and obscure titles. It’s above (the bar) Yellow Garden, so you can grab a drink with your book. Check out Maque, a scenic cafe in a sand-colored Art Deco building serving breakfast and pastries on a leafy patio. Taste an alternative take on tacos at El Autentico Pato Manila, which dishes up Filipino-inspired duck tacos, duck wontons and duck tortas. Stay at Maria Condesa to continue the arty, welcoming theme.

A short walk from La Condesa, the Roma neighborhood showcases a similar cool, art-focused atmosphere. Roma was home to the city’s aristocracy over a century ago and now its gentile avenues are headquarters for artists and trendy restaurants. This sprawling neighborhood is divided into three sections, Roma Norte, Roma Sur and La  Romita but most of the restaurants, shops and galleries are located in Roma Norte. Kick off your visit at Museo Ojecto del Objeto (The MODO). This museum tells the fascinating tales of the daily objects that have accompanied the lives of Mexicans over the last 200 years. Concert posters, drinks and mirrors were the subjects of a few of the past exhibits. Enter the grand building of the Casa Universitaria del Libro for a glimpse of how Mexican culture is defined through books. Stop by Galeria Mascota for views of art from emerging artists from around the globe and spend some time in the spot's lovely courtyard. Shop for handmade leather bags crafted in Spain at Audette and then relax under the art-covered walls of Paramo. The tightly packed tables invite easy conversations while enjoying the restaurant's signature, eclectic chalupa options with toppings like pineapple vinaigrette. Rest your head at Brick Hotel, a centrally located cosmopolitan property with a fantastic on-site restaurant.

Decked out with beautiful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, Coyoacán oozes old-school charm. Famously known for the colorful homes of artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Coyoacán is also the oldest neighborhood in Mexico City. The locale has its own Metro stop for a quick trip from the city center. Start at its most iconic landmark, Museo de Frida Kahlo or Casa Azul, the vibrant blue house where the artist was born, lived and died. View Frida’s extensive collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts and her personal effects and artworks. At Museo Diego Rivera, Anachucalli, the museum’s pyramid-shaped structure created from volcanic rock was designed by the artist, and the 60,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic artifacts were part of his collection. Roam through Viveros de Coyoacán, a refreshing natural spot filled with pine and eucalyptus forests, cacti and the Magdalena River running along the edge. Experience the colors, scents and textures of a traditional market at Mercado de Coyoacán. Shop for handcrafted textiles, art, sculptures and jewelry and then grab a snack at one of the food stands. Grab a table around the flame-colored walls of Corazon de Maguey for a tasty and filling meal of regional dishes. Rest at Meztli: Casa Boutique & Spa, nestled in a historic colonial building.

The heart of Mexico City, Centro Historico is home to the distinctive landmarks most associated with this bustling urban center. Once you land in downtown Mexico City, the iconic Zocolo or central square is the first stop. Encircled by historic buildings, including the Cathedral of Mexico and the Nacional Palace, home of Mexico’s president, a massive Mexican flag flutters at the center of the Zocolo. The focus of the plaza is the masses of people who come to perform Aztec dances, shop at vendor stands and sightsee. The Aztec temple, El Templo Mejor towers above the plaza as an impressive cultural totem of Mexico’s past. Constructed around the 14th century, it is one of the most significant archeological sites in the city. The soft yellow and orange roof tiles and neoclassical arches of the Palacio de Bellas Artes make it one of the city’s most recognizable structures. Inside, famous murals, several museums and a Tiffany-stained glass curtain make it a must-visit spot. Drop by El Huequito for the best tacos al pastor in the city. The tiny stall was the first to serve the spicy pork delicacy in 1959. Choose the elegant Zocolo Central Hotel with views overlooking the main plaza and a stylish rooftop nightlife scene for lodging.