Attractions in Monterrey, Mexico: What to do and where to go

Alfa Planetarium

Built in 1978, this museum, which is a cylindrical-shaped building inclined towards the North, was one of the pioneers in developing the concept of interactive museum. Its many activities and experiments areas amaze and amuse little kids as well as adults. It features a section called Illusion and Reason, where you can play with physics and astronomy and "prove" several scientific phenomena. It also has an aviary that houses exotic birds and an extensive collection of huge pre-Hispanic archeological pieces which belong to different ancient cultures of Mexico.

One of the biggest attractions of this center is the most complete observatory in the northeast of Mexico and allows the visitors to see the sky through a massive telescope. Another is the multi-theater, which projects spectacular movies and features a hemispheric 9-inch screen that envelopes the viewers with its 180-degree vision, offering an impressive image and high fidelity sound.

Barrio Antiguo

Characterized by the adobe and brick houses featured in the colonial architecture of the 1890s, this is a classic aspect of the cityscape of Monterrey. These buildings were restored and continue to conserve their original style, now housing art galleries, cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Take a walk through this lovely area and feel what it was like to stroll through the Monterrey of the days of old. Cobblestoned streets, lamp posts and old buildings define the ambiance of this cultural and social heart of the city.

The Cathedral

The Cathedral itself dates back to about the time of the founding of Monterrey, over 400 years ago and is presently the headquarters of the local archdiocese. In 1791, the long period of construction was marked by the completion of the vaults and the facade, which have been preserved until present day. The towers, characteristic of the Cathedral and which were not even constructed by 1791, were finished over the duration of a century. Due to the length of time it took to build, the edifice is a combination of distinct architectonic styles, predominated by the Churrigueresco style (Spanish baroque).

The interior houses various 19th century New Spanish paintings. The facade and the decor are two points of beauty that stick out, reflecting the hand of the Franciscan monks, who have left their mark all over the north of Mexico. There is also a mausoleum for bishops.

Chipinque Ecological Park

This natural paradise is located just 20 minutes away from Monterrey, but it seems completely secluded from the big city. It is the favorite place for nature lovers, for the ones that love doing excursions, hiking, mountain biking and bird watching, perfect for the visitor looking for some peace and tranquility, away from the city's hustle and bustle.

Its well-defined trails, its winding paths and its picnic areas attract big crowds on the weekends, especially during the summer, when the weather is much cooler than in the city. In the fall, particularly in October, you can enjoy a fabulous multicolor show, when thousands of gorgeous monarch butterflies cross the park during their annual migration to the south.

Cola de Caballo (Horsetail) Falls

Cola de Caballo Falls is probably one the most famous Monterrey attractions. This is an 82-foot cascade that falls on the Eastern Sierra Madre Mountains and is named after its singular flowing form, which looks like a horsetail. You can get to the falls on foot, horseback or in special carriages. This is a beautiful place for hiking, mountain biking and taking photographs of the local flora and fauna. You can also organize picnics along the river, close to the cascades, and share a nice moment with the family.

Ecotourism in Monterrey

Monterrey is not only a city of business but an exciting place that offers a variety of activities to nature lovers as well as to extreme athletes. Try navigating a raft, exploring a cavern and discovering the true meaning of darkness, scaling up and down a cliff and hiking along narrow paths in the mountains of Monterrey or go on eco-tours.

Estrella (Star) Biopark

This Biopark is a natural reserve with more than 700 animals of varying species from five different continents. Have a friendly war in bumper boats or take a spin in a pedal boat. Do some exercise following the mile-long path that will lead along the length of the River Pilon. Cross the sparkling cascades by walking a hanging bridge or go fishing in the nearby lake. There is a zoo and a nursery for different species of baby animals, a mammoth museum and a kangaroo forest.

The Serengeti Park is the part that occupies the most space out of the Biopark and it is where you can find a great variety of wild animals, such as antelopes, ostriches, crows, Dromedary camels, zebras, elephants, hippopotamus, crocodiles and buffalos, among other species in natural habitats. Don't miss the new attraction "Mysteries of the Night" and discover things you didn't know about bats.

Garcia Caves

Be stunned by the stalactites and stalagmites located inside these caves that provide a fabulous visual spectacle and are located about 25 miles away from the city of Monterrey, in the town of Villa Garcia. From the start of the journey, you will be able to admire a wonderful landscape, riding up on a cable car and getting to an altitude of 2,460 feet. In addition to the strikingly beautiful mineral formations, you can also see shell and snails fossils. From their findings, experts guess that the caves, discovered in the year 1843, are about 50 or 60 million years old.

Kidzania

Kidzania is a fun center, built to provide education for kids from 1 to 12 years of age, where they can pretend to be adults in more than 75 different jobs and professions. It is a scaled-down city with replicas of some of the most representative establishments of the city. It is 100% educational, interactive and safe, right in a covered area of the mall. Here, children can work and make a wage with official Kidzania money called "Kidzos" and pay for items and services.
In Kidzania, adults can also "play". There is a room exclusively for grown-ups, where they can kick back and enjoy a bit of reading or hanging out in the interactive area.

Macro Plaza

The Macro Plaza, or the Gran Plaza, is certainly the focal point of the city center. The nearly 99 acres of land is dotted with a series of small plazas, which in turn have fountains, benches, trees, grassy areas, as well as historic monuments and edifices. Among the monuments, the most famous is the Faro de Comercio (the Lighthouse of Commerce), which dominates the cityscape and is the tallest in Mexico. You can also find the Cathedral of Monterrey, the Theater of the City, the Esplanade of Heroes, the Governmental Palace, the Museum of the Governmental Palace and the Fountain of Life.

Marco Contemporary Art Museum

This museum is a definite part of Monterrey sightseeing. Known by its acronym, MARCO, it is located in downtown, facing the Macro Plaza and it is integrated into the landscape, where there are other important buildings such as the Cathedral and the Town Hall. It is inspired by the traditional Mexican style houses and it features a central patio, ornamented with a huge water mirror and two impressive spherical sculptures. The main entrance is presided by a spectacular sculpture with the shape of a stylized dove, created by the Mexican artist Juan Soriano.

The galleries are large spaces that feature different proportions, shapes and heights. It is highlighted by strategically located natural light sources and is designed to allow the visitors to be permanently in touch with the exterior, the city and the central patio, without losing the focus on the magnificent works of art that are housed in the museum.

Mexican History Museum

This museum presents a sober, impressive, modernist construction, which can be accessed crossing a large square. It is divided into 4 rooms, each one representing a distinct period of Mexican history: The Old Mexico, The Colony, The 19th Century and The Modern Mexico.

Monterrey Museum

Monterrey Museum's main goal is to show the best of the arts to the community. Under its roof, more than 1,500 pieces of contemporary Latin American art can be observed, with emphasis in the Mexican arts. Throughout all its existence, the museum has managed to bring together one of the most important collections in Mexico, featuring several artistic expressions such as sculpture, painting, drawing, graphic design and photography. In 1992, it created the first Biennial Painting, Sculpture and Installation Exhibition in Monterrey, the first to be organized in the north of Mexico.

Mundo de Adeveras Park

It is a new concept that combines knowledge and entertainment in an amusement park, through different activities. This park offers scaled-down models of real world edifices, with themes that range from cities, industry, farming, sports and rides. There is also a section where children pretend to be grown-ups and have real jobs and professions.

Palacio de Gobierno

This particular building of neoclassic influence and was built around 1908, using pink quarry rock. It has been considered a national monument by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The facade is, in addition, complemented by a statue of the Winged Victory. On each of the columns that surround the main porch, there are a group of metal statues of a lion and child, holding a garland of roses.

Inside the building, there is a vestibule that features a granite staircase, built in 1926, at the far end of the hall. The first floor extends beyond the courtyard and the four surrounding colonnades.

Parque Fundidora

This unique area, spanning 304 acres, combines history, enjoyment and entertainment. The plazas, pathways, gardens and lakes are the backdrops where unlimited fun is free for all. The complex houses two of the main concert halls for events in Monterrey: the CINTERMEX (with 6578 square yards for conventions and 21,982 square yards for exhibitions) and the Arena Monterrey, with capacity of up to 17,600. These two venues accommodate all sorts of events, from conventions, concerts or social events. The park also houses La Casa de los Loros (House of Parrots), the Steel Museum, the Mabe Fundidora Ice Rink, and the Plaza Sesamo Park, among many other attractions.

Plaza Sesamo Park

This amusement park is located in Fundidora Park. It has incredible attractions such as the Grand Prix, where you can feel like a race driver in a miniature car. Space Sot is the tallest ride in Latin America, worth 197 feet of adrenaline. Or you can grab an innertube and ride one of the 17 tobogganing slides where you can get up to 37 mph. In the interactive pools, there are nets, cascades and slides where you can play to your heart's content. There are also shows that will take your breath away and take you to a world of fantasy. Come and discover Plaza Sesamo Park, where you can find a good time in all directions.

Paseo Santa Lucia

Since its inauguration, in 2007, Paseo Santa Lucia has been a very popular attraction in the city. You can sail in beautiful boats down the 1.5 mile long canal, which connects the Macroplaza with Parque Fundidora. Beside the canal, there are walkways surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains, making for a very attractive landscape.

"La Boca" Dam

It is a favorite among locals for a weekend away from the extreme temperatures of the city, where people enjoy "the beach" on the shore of the dam. Rent jet skies, wave runners and boats for a great day out. Or if you prefer, rent horses, ponies or all terrain vehicles, away from the dam area. Just relax and enjoy a beautiful view of the mountains, while you eat in one of the restaurants in the surrounding areas.

Villa de Santiago

Villa de Santiago has turned into an important tourist destination due to its many attractions. On one hand, it offers the colonial and the romantic, and on the other, a fun-filled place. It is one of the more than 30 Magic Towns in Mexico, an honor bestowed on the town by the Mexican government in 2006. And, thanks to the fact that the Sierra Madre Mountains are nearby, there is an added natural side to your trip, filled with both rest and adventure.

It is a town that invites us to go back in time and walk along the streets of the main plaza. Admire the mansions of old as well as the Church of the Apostle Santiago, which was constructed in 1745 and it famous for its main staircase. Next door is Palacio Municipal (City Hall), built in 1910. Located only 30 minutes from Monterrey, this town offers visitors an alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city.