Monterrey

Doctor José Ma. Coss 445 Sur

Large, modern museum chronicling the history of Mexico, from pre-Colombian civilizations like the Maya and Aztec, through the colonial period, the revolution, and the modern industrial age.

Parque Central, Av. Junco de la Vega, Tecnologico· Free

Contemporary artist James Turrell has created a series of "light sculptures" called "Skyspaces" in various cities. In Monterrey, Turrell's light sculpture is on the grounds of Tecnologico de Monterrey.

Corner of 5 de Mayo and Zaragoza, behind the Palacio de Gobierno

Monterrey is unusual among Mexican cities in that it has few stunning, huge, colonial era churches. Most date from the 20th century and have little scenic or historic value.

in Rufino Tamayo Park· Expensive

Eclectic museum with a collection that began as an 18th century "Cabinet of Curiosities". The collection includes natural science objects, historical relics, and artistic objects including a large collection of coins from Mexico's colonial…

Calle Zuazua y Jardón

Zuazua at Jardón. Monterrey's large, modern forum for contemporary arts is an architecturally stunning showpiece that features a fascinating collection of modern Latino artists.

Av. Fundidora· Expensive

Located inside the enormous blast furnace, the museum has science and technology exhibits with a focus on engineering skills. A full-service restaurant called El Lingote is on the upper level.

Government functions have been moved out of the original Nuevo Leon State House, and in their place is an impressive new museum that showcases the political history of Nuevo Leon.

San Pedro main plaza· Free

Monterrey's first museum dedicated to pre-Hispanic Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica is based on the personal collection of Mauricio Fernandez and exhibits from the now defunct Planetario Alfa.

Calle Fray Rafael Verger, Colonia Obispado

Historical site, originally home of the Bishop de Monterrey, with excellent views of the city. Home to a small regional history museum with a clerical bent.

In the east of the Zona Rosa is Mexico's largest zocalo, or central plaza, a stretch of green space lined with fountains, statues, gardens, and monuments.

Av. Pablo Livas 2011, Col. La Pastora

Home of the Rayados, one of Monterrey's two top-tier professional soccer teams playing in the Liga MX. State-of-the-art stadium with seating for 51,000 fanatics.

Chipinque is one of the white-faced mountains towering over Monterrey, this one over the suburban municipalities of San Pedro and Garza Garcia. Drive up to the mesa where you can picnic while your kids enjoy the playground.

Av. Manuel Barragán S/N, Niños Héroes, Regina

Modern baseball stadium that is home of the Sultanes de Monterrey, the local Mexican League hometown favorites. The Sultanes also field a team in the Pacific League, which is a winter league, so you can catch a game throughout much of the…

· Free

Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey is the northernmost of Mexico national parks and one of the largest, with more than 1,770 hectares (680 square miles) of rugged mountain terrain.

Topo Chico is a small, low mountain in the center of Monterrey, partly within the city boundaries of Monterrey and partly within the municipalities of Escobedo and San Nicolas de los Garza.

An artificial river with a wide walkway, running 2.5-km (1.5-mi) between the Mexican History Museum and Parque Fundidora. Pontoon boats glide along the route giving interpretive local history tours and giving you plenty of photo…

20 minutes from the city center

Parque La Huasteca is the first established climbing area in the city and is one of the most popular attractions in the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park.

end of Macroplaza

Sunday mornings at 11am and Thursday evenings at 18:30 the courtyard atrium of Monterrey's City Hall transforms into a spacious dance floor. The city provides an orchestra and the public is invited to come dance to big band sounds.

From Escobedo, drive northwest (toward Mina) on federal highway MEX-53 for about 10-15 km.

Two adjacent small towns that might be interesting for people who have already seen "everything" in Monterrey. Abasolo is a typical dusty Nuevo Leon town with a pleasant zocalo bordered by an historic church, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de…

Metro to Edison, the brewery is near Av. Francisco Madero· Expensive

Hip craft brewery with a large outdoor beer garden under the Metro tracks. Beers are much better than most craft breweries in the region because the brewery has lagering facilities and can produce a wider range of beers with cleaner flavor…

Circuito Frida Kahlo 303· Expensive

Upscale Spanish restaurant that's a great date spot because they have live flamenco dancers during dinner and some shareable plates like paella, served in a traditional large shallow pan, or you can choose your own mix of cold and hot…

Av. José Vasconcelos 564 Ote, Valle del Campestre, Garza Garcia· Expensive

Modern California-style brewpub with lots of brick, brass, and potted plants. Good, if predictable range of beers including a golden ale, brown ale, IPA and others. Brick oven pizza and burgers.

across the street from Panteon El Carmen (El Carmen Cemetery)· Pricey

Basic street taco stand favored by locals for more than 50 years. Recommended by the Michelin Guide. Tortillas are lightly coated in oil and toasted before being stuffed with your choice of fillings including picadillo, ham, guisado con…

behind the MARCO

Classic Italian cuisine served in a colonial era building. Classy dining room with rough stone walls, old tile floors and rustic beam ceilings. Oddly enough, they have a life-size Sculptures}sculpture of a horse in the middle of the dining…

Torre Metropolitano· Expensive

Some of the best views of Monterrey from this 58th floor restaurant high atop the Metropolitan Towers. Drinks are creative and good and light finger food is mostly Japanese sushi and sashimi.

Av. Lazaro Cardenas 2400, Valle Oriente

Glitzy upscale high-rise hotel connected to the Metropolitan Mall in the heart of San Pedro's shopping district. Easy 50-meter walk to stores and restaurants of Fashion Drive and Plaza Fiesta San Agustin malls.

Calle Diego De Montemayor 1227

Fantastic for backpackers, this affordable clean, comfortable hostel is a value. Prices can vary but see the website for details (in English & Spanish), which also has a reservation service.

Fashion Drive· Expensive

Upscale high-rise hotel with spacious, spotlessly clean and very quiet rooms, an on-site restaurant on the mezzanine level and several more in the adjacent Plaza Fiesta San Agustin and Fashion Drive shopping area.

Av. Miguel Alemán 6064, Torres de Linda Vista· Expensive

Comfortable moderate hotel with spacious, well-furnished rooms with good air conditioning. Rooms facing Miguel Aleman can be noisy. No swimming pool or fitness center.

Diego Rivera 500

For years, the most luxurious hotel in Monterrey, but now one of many first-class hotels in the San Pedro area. Gourmet dining rooms, classic architecture, concierge, valet parking, courtyard swimming pool.

Av. Lázaro Cárdenas 2424. Col. Residencial San Agustín, San Pedro Garza García· Expensive

Large, modern luxury hotel in a prominent glass tower on busy Lazaro Cardenas. Rooms are spacious, quiet, clean and very well appointed. Hotel has a swimming pool and offers spa services.