Representing the new face of the Alameda zone, the row of chain restaurants, bars, stores and a Hilton hotel facing the park resembles an outdoor shopping plaza. One point of difference is the slick Museo Memoria y Tolerancia, a maze-like museum dedicated to preserving the memory of victims of genocide and human-rights abuses. Weekend evenings are very noisy, with bars and clubs aimed at students. On other nights it can feel a little deserted and rough.

Behind the fully restored Templo de Corpus Christi, which now holds the DF's archives, the plaza's centerpiece is a pair of Tetris-block towers by leading Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta – the 24-story Foreign Relations Secretariat and the 23-story Tribunales building front a set of 1034 reddish pyramids in a broad pool, a collaboration between Legorreta and Spanish artist Vicente Rojo.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Museo Memoria y Tolerancia

0.03 MILES

A mazelike, unique museum of 55 halls dedicated to preserving the memory of genocide victims. The multimedia exhibit chronicles crimes committed against…

2. Hemiciclo a Juárez

0.05 MILES

A large white semi-circular monument to Benito Juárez on one edge of Alameda Central. It's a popular photo spot for people in graduation or bridal garb –…

3. Alameda Central

0.1 MILES

Created in the late 1500s by mandate of then-viceroy Luis de Velasco, the Alameda took its name from the álamos (poplars) planted over its rectangular…

4. Museo de Arte Popular

0.12 MILES

A major showcase for folk art, this is a colorful museum that even kids love. Crafts are thematically displayed from all over Mexico, including carnival…

5. Museo Mural Diego Rivera

0.19 MILES

This museum is home to one of Diego Rivera’s most famous works, Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central (Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the…

6. Laboratorio de Arte Alameda

0.19 MILES

As is often the case with museums in the centro, the 17th-century former convent building that contains the Laboratorio de Arte Alameda is at least as…

7. Iglesia de la Santa Veracruz

0.2 MILES

Originally constructed in 1586, this church was rebuilt in the 18th century and now houses the Museo Franz Mayer. It features two doors in Mexican baroque…

8. Museo Franz Mayer

0.21 MILES

This museum is the fruit of the efforts of German-born Franz Mayer. Prospering as a financier in his adopted Mexico, Mayer amassed the collection of…