Vacation In Monterrey Mexico
Vacation In Monterrey Mexico everyone is going on vacation these days. This is an excellent time to visit Monterrey and discover the best Monterrey has to offer and see why so many people like Monterrey’s awesome style of living. You will not regret it, trust me.
Many business people fear the prospect of an extended vacation. The stress of working with a limited time frame can get in the way of experiencing pleasure, especially when business are piling up and deadlines are making you reach for more coffee. If this is you, then you should consider taking an extended vacation to Monterrey Mexico .
There have been a lot of interesting destinations these days for those people who want to take their vacation. The other way is the location which becomes the main focus for those individuals who do not want to be disturbed. One of them is Monterrey, Mexico. This city has excellent things available for example a great shopping center named Nuevo Leon Center, four star hotels and an airport with flights from many destinations such as Dallas, New York and Chicago. The city has many museums which depict the culture of the area and gives a different point of view to its inhabitants. The city of Monterrey offers excellent facilities because there are numerous restaurants, nightclubs and bars open 24 hours a day.
Are you tired of the long lines, crowded streets, and high prices in the United States? Then Monterrey Mexico is a great alternative. Discover the best 5 vacation spots in Monterrey Mexico!
Vacation In Monterrey Mexico
Although one of Mexico’s most industrialized cities (it’s also the wealthiest and most westernized) Monterrey boasts one of the country’s most attractive large city settings. It lies in the Santa Catarina Valley, dominated by the curiously jagged, 1,740-meter-tall Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Mountain) and 2,380-meter-tall Cerro de la Mitra (Mitra Mountain) – both of which make for exceptional sightseeing adventures and easy day trips – and is the capital of the state of Nuevo León.
Despite being an ultramodern city, Monterrey has managed to retain some of its traditional Spanish atmosphere in its narrow alleys, flat-roofed houses, and picturesque patios, particularly around the Barrio Antiguo, the city’s old quarter, which is experiencing something of a renaissance. First settled in the 16th century, its importance as a cultural hub is evident in its many fine museums and galleries, along with the public squares and parks used to host a number of important events and festivals.
To ensure you get the most out of your Monterrey travel itinerary, be sure to make use of our list of the top things to do in Monterrey.
See also: Where to Stay in Monterrey
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Begin a Tour of the City at the Macroplaza
The world’s fourth largest public square, Monterrey’s Macroplaza is a great place to begin a tour of the city due to its proximity to many of the most important tourist attractions, most within walking distance or an easy bus or subway ride. Built in the 1980s, this 99-acre square encompasses a number of older plazas and their monuments, as well as pretty gardens that invite visitors to linger.
Perhaps the best known landmark – and certainly the easiest to spot – is the 70-meter-high Lighthouse of Commerce (Faro del Comercio), a massive rectangular structure that is particularly impressive at night when its dazzling green laser shoots out across the city.
Other Macroplaza points of interest include the sandstone Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) with its colonial patio and fresco-decorated state apartments and artifacts, among them the guns used to execute Emperor Maximilian and his generals in 1867. Other features of note are the Esplanade of Heroes (Esplanada de los Héroes), the massive Neptune Fountain (Fuente de la Vida), and a memorial to the city’s founder, Diego de Montemayor.
Address: Centro, 64000 Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
2. MARCO: The Museum of Contemporary Art
Opened in 1991, the stunningly designed Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Monterrey, or MARCO for short) stands on Gran Plaza and is a must for those curious about Mexican art. In addition to its many excellent temporary exhibitions, MARCO boasts an extensive permanent collection of modern art from across the country.
Highlights of the museum’s 11 galleries include numerous fine paintings, sculptures, and installations from leading Latin American artists, as well as a smattering of works from international artists.
The building itself is something of a piece of art, with highlights including its sculpture garden and a fascinating courtyard with a reflective mirror fountain. Also of interest to art lovers is Pinacoteca de Nuevo León, a museum offering visitors a look at fine art from Nuevo León from the 19th century onwards.
And just around the corner from the MARCO site is the Metropolitan Museum of Monterrey (Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey), located in a 17th-century palace and home to a variety of displays related to the city’s rich history.
Address: Juan Zuazua, Padre Raymundo Jardón y, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
Official site: www.marco.org.mx
3. Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of Monterrey
Monterrey’s most important catholic edifice, and one of the top free things to do in the city (though donations are always welcome), the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of Monterrey (Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey) is well worth including on a walking tour of the city’s downtown core. Work on the building started in the mid-18th century but it took some 150 years or so to finish, finally being declared complete around 1890.
Although not granted cathedral status until 1994, this impressive structure has long been the seat of the local archdiocese.
In addition to its fine exterior with twin towers and fancy ornamentation – the result of many different influences over the decades – the building boasts a fine interior with many examples of 19th-century colonial artwork, including a number of large murals by well-respected Mexican artist Angel Zárraga.
Address: Juan Zuazua 1100, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, NL
4. Stroll along the Santa Lucia Riverwalk
One of the most pleasant walks in Monterrey is along the spectacular Santa Lucia Riverwalk (Paseo Santa Lucía), a man-made river that opened in 2007 and which stretches nearly three kilometers across the city, connecting the Macroplaza to Fundidora Park. Along the way, you’ll discover numerous interesting sculptures (including a genuine Canadian Inukshuk, a stone landmark or cairn), fountains, and other architectural highlights as the river meanders through the pleasant parkland along its riverbanks.
A number of pontoon-style riverboats also provide a fun diversion (fee required), and in a few locations, cafés and restaurants have set up patios overlooking the river. Travelers should also note that it’s also safe to walk after nightfall due to the illuminations of the sculptures and points of interest lining the river, as well as due to the presence of 24-hour surveillance; free Wi-Fi is available along its entire length.
Address: Santa Lucia, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
5. Fundidora Park
A fun addition to any exploration of the Santa Lucia Riverwalk is to take a slight diversion and explore the many attractions to be enjoyed in Fundidora Park (Parque Fundidora) – and if time’s at a premium, you can always take a boat back to the Macroplaza.
Located on the grounds of the city’s old foundry – now a fascinating museum – Fundidora’s highlights include a number of family attractions that kids will enjoy, including playgrounds; a sports arena with an ice rink; an artificial lake; a water park; and Sesame Street Park (Parque Plaza Sesamo), a theme park based upon the popular TV show. It’s also home to the CONARTE art facility, along with a hotel and convention center. (Editor’s Note: It’s a large park, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.)
Other park areas with attractions worth exploring are Parque Zoologico La Pastora, the city’s small yet popular zoo, and Parque Loroventura, a park with an adventure playground with giant dinosaur statues, 80 bird species, plus a variety of kids rides.
Address: Avenida Fundidora y Adolfo Prieto S/N, Obrera, 64010 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico