When you think of Mexico, odds are the first cities that come to mind are some combination of Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo and Mexico City. Maybe even Guadalajara or Oaxaca for the legendary food. Monterrey? Where even is Monterrey?
For whatever reason (perhaps the proximity of the hulking Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains?), Monterrey had been floating near the top of my list, and I finally pulled the trigger on a quick December getaway. And survey says? It’s a fantastic spot for a long weekend! Packed with museums, parks, nature, luxury shopping and restaurants galore, the sheer variety of things to do feels befitting of a city like New York or Seattle. And while there are many different ways to spend 48 hours in Monterrey, here’s one way to cover nature, food and culture in two short days.
Day 1
2:00 PM: Experience Local Culture
Most flights from the US are morning departures, arriving in Monterrey around noon. Hotels are aplenty in the safe and upscale area of San Pedro Garza García from the luxe JW Marriott and InterContinental Presidente to solid value picks like the Hyatt Place/Hyatt House (where I stayed).
After checking in, make your way to Rufino Tamayo Park and enjoy a stroll along its quiet, tree-lined paths or settle in with a book under the warm Monterrey sun. The park is home to Museo La Milarca, a recently completed museum housing the collection of Mauricio Fernández, the former governor of Monterrey’s home state of Nuevo León. Self-described as “a fusion of art, history, paleontology and more”, La Milarca features everything from Renaissance roofs to striking fossils to one of the most important coin collections in the country. It’s a great spot to ease into the city after a morning of travel.
4:00 PM: Sunset Views
Sunset atop Cerro del Obispado is Monterrey all at once: past, present and future. A fifteen-minute walk up a glute-busting paved path leads to the mirador (overlook) which provides a stunning panorama of the city. Especially epic are the views to the west, where the sun tucks itself behind the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental.
The present-day mirador was once a defensive stronghold during the Battle of Monterrey in the Mexican-American War. Just steps from where you’ll see sunset stands the Museo de Nuevo León, the former Bishop’s Palace which US troops eventually captured.
As you wander the promenade, keep an eye out for the city’s striking juxtapositions. Find the massive blast furnace turned museum beside a man-made riverwalk or towering skyscrapers rising just feet from historic residential neighborhoods.
You’ll also find throngs of locals enjoying sunset. Unlike vacationing in tourist-heavy Mexico City or Cancún, spending time in Monterrey feels uniquely authentic, and it’s easy to capture a big slice of it here.
6:30 PM: Fashion Drive
Monterrey has always been a city of industry. While its roots are in steel, it’s now an important hub for the automotive and aviation industries as well as an important trade center with the United States. And with a strong economy comes wealth, which you’ll find in abundance on Fashion Drive–a collection of high-end malls, restaurants and showrooms. In true Monterrey style, the towering glass buildings are dwarfed by the Sierra Madre Oriental, making for a stunning scene.
Dinner options are everywhere with options for every palate. Mochomos is a popular pick, serving up elevated takes on Mexican favorites. One note: food in Monterrey isn’t particularly cheap. Expect to spend at least $30 per person at a sit-down restaurant assuming you get a drink.
9:00 PM: Nightcap
If you’re like me, a nightcap means ice cream or a pastry. For that, Monterrey delivers with BreAd, a fantastic bakery turning out fresh breads and desserts. The brownie was noteworthy and well worth the calories. Conveniently, you’ll find BOLA Helados attached to many BreAd locations if a cold sweet treat is calling your name. Or, end the night at Botanero Moritas with a taco and a beer.
Day 2
8:00 AM: Chipinque
How many cities can you name where Ubering to a hike is a) possible, and b) worth it? Fortunately, Monterrey checks both boxes. Request an Uber to “Mirador La Peñita”. Park staff will verify you have a valid ticket (purchase in advance), and you’ll be driven straight to the end of the paved road. From there, take in the view over Monterrey before beginning the seven-mile roundtrip trek to Mirador El Pinal (download the map in advance as cell service in the park is limited).
Roughly six miles of the journey are flat or downhill; the last mile before El Pinal is challenging only because of the significant 1,000 foot elevation gain. On a clear day, the payoff is immense: a birds-eye view of the entire city and the mountains which surround it.
Pro tip: Requesting an Uber from your starting point can be difficult due to spotty service. Use the express trails–Vereda Express 2 followed by Vereda Express 1 down (~2 miles, included in the seven mile total) and request pickup at the entrace gate. Trails are well marked and well-maintained, maps are posted throughout the park and rangers staff the most popular routes. This felt like one of the safest solo hikes I’ve ever done.
4:00 PM: Parque Fundidora
As day gives way to evening, stroll down Paseo Santa Lucia–Monterrey’s man-made riverwalk–into Parque Fundidora. The park is the heartbeat of the city; from Museo del Acero–the aforementioned blast furnace turned museum–to a theme park to quiet walking trails to bikeways busier than Amsterdam, it’s an ideal place to slow down, people watch, and reflect on the privilege of travel. Enjoy a dinner near your hotel (Gallo 71 for something upscale or Botanero Moritas for a lively atmosphere, especially if sports are on), get a pastry from BreAd, and call it a 48 hours well-spent.
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