North America’s largest city supposedly has more museums than any other city in the hemisphere. And while world-famous institutions like the National Museum of Anthropology are must-sees (it’s one of the best such venues in the world, and reportedly the largest and most-visited museum in Mexico), you’ll find a lot more to see if you dig a little deeper.
One of the things I like most about vacationing in Mexico City is that you’ll never run out of things to do. Every time I go, I discover something new that I’ve never seen before. From museums dedicated to shoes and toys to venues filled with police memorabilia and tequila, these off-beat museums provide some of the most interesting things to do in Mexico City.
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MEXICO TRAVEL TIPS: 10 Museums in Mexico You’ve Got to See
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Museo del Calzado El Borcegui (El Borcegui Shoe Museum)
Billed as the only museum of its kind in Mexico, El Borcegui — which a shoe store of the same name opened in the historic center in 1991 — exhibits dozens of shoes from various centuries, for both men and women. Included are a few celebrity shoes, as well as pieces from ancient indigenous groups, Europe, the USA and Asia.
Museo del Juguete Antiguo México (Antique Toy Museum)
This venue ambitiously claims to have the largest collection of toys in the world. Whether that’s true is debatable, but you can’t deny that it’s an interesting site, with exhibits about globally recognized items like Barbie dolls and toys related to Mexican cultural institutions like Lucha Libre wrestling and the movie star Cantinflas. You can find an interesting interview about the museum here.
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Museo Interactivo de la Economia (Interactive Economy Museum)
Can money be interesting? Pay a visit to the Interactive Economy Museum (often called by its Spanish-language acronym, MIDE) and find out. Described as the “first museum in the world dedicated to explaining the economy, finance and sustainable development,” it’s set in a historic 18th-century building.
Museo del Policia (Police Museum)
If a serial killer exhibition sounds interesting to you, then head to Mexico City’s Police Museum, which recounts the history of Mexico’s police force, with photos, dioramas and various artifacts.
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Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal (Tequila and Mezcal Museum)
Sitting in the tourist-popular Garibaldi Square, the Tequila and Mezcal Museum highlights the history and culture surrounding two of Mexico’s most legendary spirits. You can also participate in tequila and mezcal tastings, and take some home as a souvenir.