Did you know that there is a street in Mexico City that has one of the highest concentrations of museums in the world? They say there are more than 130 of them—maybe even 170. Some of them are famous of course, but many are so small that you’ll walk right by if you don’t pay close attention. Most of the big-name museums offer free entry on Sundays, and though people line up to get in, many of the facilities prioritize entry for families with small children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and people in wheelchairs. In Mexico, people believe that everyone has a right to enjoy art, regardless of age, gender, or any other characteristic—so people don’t throw dirty looks even if babies are crying or kids are noisy. That attitude is a great relief when I take my preschool-age daughter with me. Because entry is free on Sunday, you see people there from all walks of life—so I’m guessing that another reason for it is to give everyone across the many classes of Mexican society a chance to encounter art.
Before the pandemic, we often went to art museums and galleries on the weekends, but it hasn’t been easy to do for over a year now. But with more people getting vaccinated and the numbers going down now, the museums are starting to open up again. There are still so many places I’d like to visit, but in this post I’ll tell you about some of the best ones I’ve been to so far.
I’ll start with the Museo de Arte Moderno in Chapultepec Park. One of the highlights of this museum is the Frida Kahlo piece on the first floor.


The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo
The Museo Rufino Tamayo is also located in Chapultepec Park. It includes artwork by Rufino Tamayo himself as well as pieces from his and his wife’s collection. There are also exhibitions by modern artists, which are frequently interactive. There’s also a wonderful fancy restaurant in the museum that serves Modern Mexican cuisine.


Museo Rufino Tamayo
A third museum worth visiting is the Museo Jumex, located in a high-end residential district (which is also home to a lot of foreign residents) called New Polanco. On display here is the modern art collection from Jumex, a company that sells drinking water. There are so many interesting pieces outside of the entrance that you can even enjoy a visit to Museo Jumex without going inside.


Museo Jumex

An exhibit outside the entrance
Right across from the Museo Jumex is the Soumaya Museum run by billionaire Carlos Slim, which I talked about in a previous post.
Another museum in the area is the Museo Franz Mayer, which is located in a historical district of Mexico City and houses the collection of a German named Franz Mayer. The art here is of course wonderful, but the building itself is also beautiful and features a courtyard that’s perfect for relaxing in.


Museo Franz Mayer
The World Press Photo Exhibition also comes here each year.


Courtyard at the Museo Franz Mayer
The last spot is an area called Polanquito, located in the heart of the Polanco high-end residential district. Several small galleries are scattered throughout the district, so it’s a great place to walk around and look at different things. It’s a beautiful area that is full of greenery, parks, cafés, and restaurants, making it a favorite spot for people of all ages on holidays.


A gallery in the Polanco district
The art museums of Mexico City can be enjoyed by everyone—young and old, from art aficionados to novices. Spend a day taking the time to immerse yourself in their treasures.