a first 72 hours in Mexico City that doesn't try to do everything

not Teotihuacan, not Xochimilco, not a fourteen-stop spreadsheet. just what's worth the jet lag in three days.

01
Zócalo, Catedral Metropolitana, Templo Mayor
02
Sit down somewhere and do nothing for an hour
the altitude gets people day one, cash only at most kiosks if you stop for coffee
03
Dinner in Roma or Condesa, no reservation needed for most spots
04
Museo Nacional de Antropología, first thing in the morning
closed Mondays, get there right at 9 or you're fighting tour groups by 10:30
05
Chapultepec Castle, walk up from the museum
06
A rooftop on Reforma for sunset
trust me on this, the smog makes for a better sunset than it has any right to
07
Museo Frida Kahlo in Coyoacán, book the timed slot days ahead
closed Mondays too, sells out a week out on weekends, don't show up hoping for a walk-in
08
Mercado Roma if you want easy, Mercado San Juan if you want weird
09
Skip Xochimilco and Teotihuacán this trip
both deserve a full day each, 72 hours isn't it, next time

Or start a list of your own. Free, it takes a minute.