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Transformación: ARLIS/NA 51st Annual Conference Mexico City : Self-Guided Exploration

Helpful resources for exploring Mexico City

Local Guide Map

The local guide map contains just a few recommendations for restaurants, museums, galleries, cafes, libraries, bookstores, and daytrips. Click on a location to see the physical address and website. Hours of operation, admission fees, and notable visiting guidelines are listed in the location description.

Click on locations to see the physical address and website. Museums will also have hours of operation, admission prices, and notable visiting guidelines highlighted in the location description for easy access - see example below. From your mobile device, click the Legend box to navigate between map layers (libraries/bookstores, restaurants, etc.).

Image of an example for local guide map location description for museums. This description includes hours and admission costs.

Day Trip Possibilities

The hotel rate will be available for the full week of the conference which provides an opportunity for you to have more free time for exploring Mexico City. Below are a few ideas for day trips. 

  • Xochimilco - most known for its canal rides on trajineras. Avoid Sunday afternoons if you do not like crowds.
  • San Ángel - Check out Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo and Museo de Arte Carillo Gil. San Ángel Inn can provide a good lunch spot. If you are there on Saturday you may want to catch the nearby El Bazar Sabado.
  • Basilica de Quadalupe - open 6am-9pm daily. There is a museum open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-6pm. Be aware that masses may be in session.
  • Teotihuacán - walk along the Avenue of the Dead to visit various significant Mesoamerican pyramids, including the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. Thie site is open everyday, 9am-5pm..Entry is $80 MXN and advanced online tickets are not available unless you book through a guided tour. A couple of ARLIS/NA members had a positive experience with this Airbnb experience tour.
  • Check out markets like La Lagunilla Market (Sundays). Be aware that crowded sidewalks and limited restrooms decrease accessibility within these spaces. 

Visiting Museums - Basic Guidelines

Like with any museum, it's best to refer to an individual institution's website for visiting guidelines. Here are just a few things to be mindful of when planning your museum excursions.

  • Many museums are open Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 6pm but there are some exceptions.
  • Discounted or free admission is available for teachers, students, and seniors with appropriate ID. Free admission is also common on Sundays.
  • Some museums are smaller and require reservations in advance, see Museo Frida Kahlo (La Casa Azul) and Casa Luis Barragán. 
  • Museums may require a fee for taking photographs or videos. This fee may not apply for cell phone pictures, see Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes.
  • Make an appointment to view museum libraries of interest, see Museo Nacional de Arte (under Services)

Museums near the conference hotel:

Recommended Bookstore Crawl in Roma/Condesa

This bookstore crawl was generously put together by ARLIS/NA member, Heather Topcik. Other notable bookstores nearby that aren't on the official crawl are mentioned as well. If you are not signed up for the tour on Monday, feel free to explore these spaces with folks in your free time!

A few notable bookstores are below and take a look at the Resource List tab for other bookstore vendor/publication recommendations.

  1. Libraría Casa Bosques
  2. Cafebreria el Pendulo: Roma
  3. Librería Ático
  4. Under the Volcano Books: English Bookstore
  5. La Increible
  6. Casa Tomada
  7. CanCan Project
  8. Antonia Libros

Heather also recommends checking out Aeromoto, a library dedicated to visual arts and contemporary culture. The space recently moved from the Zócalo neighborhood to within the Museo Tamayo located in Chapultepec Park.