Mexico City is an ideal destination if you are travelling with children. Most hotels are extremely children-friendly and have on-site babysitting services, while the city itself boasts a number of attractions for children of all ages. There are beaches to explore, exciting museums to visit and a zoo and a theme park for daytrips.

Chapultepec Zoo
This is the only zoo in the city and it houses over 1,500 animals. It is part of Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park and is believed to be the oldest zoo in the world. It was established in the 15th century by the Aztecs and has continued to grow ever since. Phone: +52 55 5553 6263.

Feria de Chapultepec
This fun fair has recently undergone a revamp, with many new rides having been added and many older rides scrapped. It is home to the oldest rollercoaster in Mexico: Russian Mountain, which is made solely out of wood. There are also traditional rides seen at fun fairs across the world and plenty of stalls where your children will have the chance to win themselves a prize. Food stalls can be found throughout, serving up a variety of food and drinks. Phone: +52 55 5230 2121.

Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum (Museo Ripley's Ciudad de México)
This is a classic family museum which is similar in appearance to a medieval castle. It was the first of its kind in Mexico and houses a number of crazy exhibits guaranteed to keep every family member entertained. Phone: +52 55 546 7670.

Six Flags Mexico
This American-themed park offers the chance to enjoy some of the biggest and most exciting rides in Mexico. It is also home to a number of annual events and festivals, and with one taking place almost every month the chances are that you will experience one. The park gets very busy at weekends so it is advisable to visit during the week. Website: www.sixflags.com.

Kite Museum (Museo Papalote)
Located in Chapultepec Park, this museum is popular with children. It is a modern museum with many interactive features and an impressive IMAX screen showing a wide range of children’s films. Phone: + 52 55 5237 1781.

Mexico City is home to more museums than any other city in the world and as a result, visitors are not short of cultural activities to keep them busy. The city is without doubt the cultural heart of Mexico, offering a plethora of theatres, museums, cathedrals and monuments.

Anthropological Museum
This is an extremely popular museum detailing information on the Aztec civilisation which founded the city. Popular displays include rare Mayan treasure which was excavated from a well in the city, an Aztec calendar stone and a replica of a tomb of a Mayan leader. There are also tools and equipment which were used on a daily basis by the Aztecs. It is a fascinating insight into this ancient culture. Phone: +52 55 5553 6266.

Leon Trotsky Museum (Museo León Trotsky)
As is obvious by the name, this museum is dedicated to the former Soviet Union leader Leon Trotsky. He moved to Mexico City with his wife after he was expelled from Russia and lived here for several years. The museum was once his home and also the place where he was assassinated. Trotsky is buried within the museum’s grounds, with the site being marked by a small monument. Phone: +52 55 658 8732.

National Arts Museum
This museum is home to temporary exhibitions of artwork by national artists. There is a small selection of permanent displays, but the museum’s main feature is to showcase up and coming artists. There is an exhibition on centuries-old ancient Mexican art that is notable. Phone: +52 55 5130 3400.

National History Museum
The National History Museum is housed within Chapultepec Castle and boasts hundreds of paintings, ceramics and murals, many of which date back to the Aztec period. There is special attention paid to military history and the colonial period, and a guided tour is available on request. Phone: +52 55 5286 0700.

National Museum of Culture (Museo Nacional de las Culturas)
This centrally based museum features a number of exhibits of clothing, jewellery, handicrafts and artworks from cultures across the world. All of these different cultures have a link with Mexico City. The building itself is almost as interesting as the collections, as it was originally part of the historic National Palace which dates back to the 16th century. Phone: +52 55 512 7452.

Palace of Fine Arts
This is the place to head if you are interested in ballet. There are regular performances of traditional dances accompanied by beautiful songs, and the palace is also home to the world-famous Mexico City Folkloric Ballet. Visiting the palace presents visitors with a chance to experience ballet Mexican style and learn a little more about this fascinating culture. Phone: +52 51 30 0900.

Templo Mayor Museum
Home to thousands of ancient Aztec ruins, this museum is a must-see for all history buffs. The ruins were discovered by accident in 1978 by workmen. Displays include giant sculptures of eagle knights, the goddess of the moon and the god of war. Phone: +52 55 5542 4943.

Mexican cuisine is famous throughout the world; there are not many places you can go which don’t have at least one Mexican restaurant. However, authentic Mexican cuisine is hard to come by.

Mexico City offers a wide range of eateries serving cuisine from throughout the world. As well as traditional Mexican eateries, visitors to the city will find European, American, Middle Eastern, Chinese and Japanese restaurants.

Mexicans regard lunch as being the most important meal of the day and it is usually a hearty affair eaten between 14:00 and 16:00. It is common for business to be conducted during this time and many important decisions are made over lunch. Because lunch can take over two hours, dinner is usually eaten after 21:00 and is more of a snack than a full meal.

While many people have a favourite dish when it comes to Mexican cuisine, a holiday in Mexico City is a good time to try something new. If you like burritos, enchiladas or fajitas, you should try enchiladas Tacuba. These are flour tortillas which are filled with chicken and covered with a spinach pepper sauce.

Caldo de pollo is a chicken and vegetable soup which uses whole pieces of chicken for flavour. Halves of potatoes are used instead of cubes and whole leaves of cabbage are added, not shredded pieces. It is a hearty soup perfect for filling up after a hard day’s trek.

For a filling breakfast, try chilaquiles. These are corn tortillas which are cut and fried, and served with salsa, eggs and occasionally with chicken. They are topped with cheese and sour cream, and served with refried beans.

There are many local restaurants to be found throughout the city and a number of cheaper eateries known as comida corrida. These are ideal for people travelling on a tight budget, as they are cheap, but good. There are street stalls selling a variety of food, but make sure you visit one which is busy as hygiene can be questionable at some of them. For something more expensive, you will find a number of top-class restaurants serving exceptional food at a price.

If you feel like splashing some cash, shopping in Mexico City is a great way to pass the time. There is an abundance of shops ranging from department stores to trendy boutiques selling originals. There are also a number of antique shops and fun markets to browse. If you are visiting a market, be sure to barter; it is a way of life here, and you should never accept the first price offered.

Rodeo drive is a scaled down of its namesake in Los Angeles. It is home to trendy shops, cafés and an expensive market selling fresh food products. Plaza Loreto is a new and very stylish shopping centre housing a number of shops as well as art exhibitions and other cultural events.

If you want to buy some souvenirs and gifts for friends and family, there is really only one place to visit: Bazaar Sabado. This is an indoor market offering quality items at very reasonable prices. There is a daily buffet here as well as live music to relax you while you shop. However, if you are looking for gifts at a cheaper price, Lagunilla Market (also known as Thieves Market) is held at weekends, but sells a wide selection of value and second-hand goods.

The year-round temperate climate ensures that outdoor pursuits are enjoyable in Mexico City whatever the season. You will see many locals jogging in the morning and there are many walks to enjoy as well as the chance to take a boat out onto the city’s lakes or have a game of golf. It is advisable to exercise in the morning as the city is notorious for high levels of pollution which can make exercise unpleasant in the afternoon.

Cycling
There are many cycle paths throughout the city and getting on a bicycle and touring the city is one of the best ways to see the sights. As long as you’re careful of the sometimes erratic drivers, you will have no problems. Many people take to their bikes as cycling is a good way to keep fit while exploring the city.

Horseback Riding
There are a number of places where you can ride a horse, but one of the most popular is at the national park known as Tlaplan, at the base of Ajusco volcano. There are many tours to take your horse on around this park, or you can rely on your sense of direction and come up with your own trail.

Ice Skating
The city is home to a number of ice rinks which are popular with families during the weekend. This activity is a good way to escape from the heat, especially in the hot months of March and April, and is a cheap day out. One of the better ice rinks is Pista de Hielo San Jerónimo, in the centre of town.

Walking and Jogging
There are a number of scenic walking routes which offer the chance to see the beauty of Mexico City. Leafy avenues perfect for strolling are abundant, while just outside the city you will find an inactive volcano, Cerro de la Estrella. There are a number of walking trails running alongside this impressive volcano that can be enjoyed.