Shaking off its reputation as a less-than-becoming industrial center, this dynamic northern city—Mexico’s third-largest and the capital of the state of Nuevo León—offers abundant attractions. Top things to do in Monterrey include exploring the dynamic arts community (don’t miss the Museum of Contemporary Art of Monterrey, or MARCO); first-rate food scene, most famous for cabrito (roasted kid goat); and hiking in the forested mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental, including the peak of Cerro de la Silla, which forms a dramatic backdrop to the sprawling metropolitan area.
Weather-wise, the temperate months between early winter and spring are the best time to explore the city of Monterrey, which has a desert climate similar to southern Texas (San Antonio is only a 5-hour car ride away). Avoid the piping-hot summers as well as the rainy season, generally between June and September, when raging thunderstorms can disrupt even the best-laid travel plans. Although, if you can stand the heat, early summer and spring are a good time to catch cultural events such as the annual music-and-art-filled Machaca Fest.
Monterrey is a 12-hour bus ride from Mexico City—if that doesn’t sound appealing, then you haven’t tried Mexico’s luxurious long-haul buses. The city also has its own airport, with regular flights from major US hubs, and the US–Mexico border is just a few hours by car for those who prefer to drive. Within Monterrey, taxi and rideshare services are cheap and easy to use, while the barrio antiguo, or historic city center, can be easily explored on foot. The city’s clean and efficient light rail system reaches things to do in Monterrey further afield, such as the San Pedro Garza García district.
Located a mere 7 miles (12 kilometers) outside Monterrey, Chipinque Ecological Park (Parque Ecológico Chipinque) is a lush natural reserve that feels light-years away from the Macroplaza (La Gran Plaza), the city’s massive, monument-filled town square. Expect rocky peaks, verdant pine and oak forests, and a whopping 37 miles (60 kilometers) of hiking trails. Come to fill your lungs with fresh air and spot local coatis or black bears. Trails tend to be well-marked, but guided excursions are recommended for less experienced hikers. Other natural wonders within striking distance of the city include the Cascada Cola de Caballo (Horsetail Waterfall) and Garcia Caves (Grutas de Garcia), reachable by cable car and known for its spectacular stalactites and stalagmites formed over 60 million years.
