Day 2 - Chapultepec and Centro Historico

Our day started with a tour of Chapultipec (which means grasshopper hill). Downtown streets were closed for cyclists and a running event. We walked through a very large park to the base of long wide ramp up to the castle/palace/museum. 

Great murals, landscaping, artifacts and views of the city, 

Landscaping at Chapultepec Castle.

Inspiration for the Calgary Sky Deck™

  View down Paseo de la Forma

Our next visit was the Centro Historico of Mexico City. We started across from the Supreme Court and then walked along the Zócalo, or main plaza in front of the National Palace. Since it was Sunday, it was very busy.

Moneda Street near the National Palace

We lined up to get inside the National Palace and it was well worth the brief wait. The chaos outside the building was left behind for a tranquil inner courtyard. We saw The History of Mexico mural by Diego Rivera 

Portion of The History of México by Diego Rivera. 

Colonnade in the National Palace. 

Our brilliant guide, Sergio, took us to a second floor restaurant that overlooked the excavations of the Templo Mayor. I tried some grasshoppers for lunch since we had been in Chapultepec in the morning. 

Templo Mayor

After lunch we visited numerous interesting buildings including the Palacio Postal, Bellas Artes, a Moorish themed former house that had been converted into several restaurants and a bar (Sanborns), and the Palace of Mines which featured several awesome meteorites.

Sanborns' courtyard dining

Space Rock

Our day ended with an Uber trip to a parkade where our guide's car was parked. They use a valet system to bring the cars to the exit which was interesting to watch. As soon as we got into the car, it stated to rain. Good timing!