Best things to do in Monterrey

Top attractions in Monterrey

A great way to get a feel for this distinctive metropolis is to venture out from the hotel and travel through some of the city’s most iconic streets. In this guide on what to do in Monterrey, there will always be plenty to keep your eyes occupied while you walk. Update your social media presence with some well chosen photos.

Why not start by heading downtown. Jump in a cab heading north east from our doors and within a few minutes you’ll be in the wonderful neighborhood of Barrio Antiguo, the Old Town of the city, where you will find plenty to occupy your available time and tweak at your curiosity of Mexican culture. The main square of the city, which sits in the heart of this area, is known as the Gran Plaza or Macroplaza and is a combination of smaller squares and beautiful gardens intertwined with monuments, statues and historical buildings.

Wander around what is the fifth largest square in the world, taking in the various street performers, trying some of the snacks on offer, or buying a handmade souvenir from one of the artisan street vendors. Café terraces will tempt you in for a coffee or cooling refreshment.

Another thing to do in Monterrey, is to visit the neoclassical Palacio de Gobierno which lies in the square, as does the main public library along with the numerous statues and monuments built to honor Mexican heroes. What often gets the most immediate attention, however, is the lighthouse that stands over 200 feet tall. Out of interest, as night falls, an impressive bright green laser is fired into the sky giving the square a unique and colorful feel.

There are a number of museums in the city and around Barrio Antiguo you have a wonderful little cluster to choose from. First up, to the north of Macroplaza, is the Museo de Historia Mexicana, which holds art exhibits that give you a real feel of Mexican culture through the ages including insights into the Maya and Aztec empires. Crossing to the south side of the great square, you’ll find the striking building of the Metropolitan Museum of Monterrey. Although small in size, meaning you won’t spend too much time there, you’re certain to leave with a greater understanding of the country’s past.

Stepping through the gardens you have yet another cultural option, the city’s main contemporary art museum. The museum’s permanent collection consists of 'over a hundred paintings, sculptures, installations, and graphic artworks by well-known artists, primarily from Mexico and Latin America,' to use their own words. Add to that the ever-changing touring exhibitions and you know you’re in for a visual treat.

Among the things to do in Monterrey, you also can cut into some of that journey with a stroll along the banks of Rio Santa Catarina. Note that it is actually a dry riverbed for much of the year despite water flowing underground.

A one off Monterrey trip

If you’ve been to Monterrey before, or are just looking to venture a little from the center, why not allow us to arrange suitable transport for you to the Museo del Vidrio, to the north of the city. This museum guides you through the history of glassmaking in Mexico, not only showing off several collections of modern and antique glassware but also giving you the opportunity to watch present-day artists at work.

For a real eye opener, not to mention a full ventilation of the lungs, head towards the Parque Ecológico Chipinque, which you can cycle to in a little over half an hour, or drive in under 15 minutes. This natural reserve offers spectacular views as you escape the city and clear the mind.

The Parque Mirador Asta Bandera gives a fabulous panoramic of Monterrey and beyond, so make sure you’ve got your smartphone to hand. The more than 700-meter ascent will involve some extra walking time but you’ll be proud of yourself for doing so, following which you can descend and pop into the nearby Palacio del Obispado, a late-18th century construction, which now hosts the regional museum. If you want some interesting background to the history of the city then you won’t be disappointed.

Shopping around Monterrey

As you walk through any of the streets of the Barrio Antiguo one thing you have to do in Monterrey, is to pick up an item or two to take home to family or friends. If you happen to be in Monterrey on a Sunday, however, you have an even better alternative. On Calle Francisco Javier Mina there is a weekly flea market, which has local vendors of all types vying for your business. Don’t go there with a plan for what you want to purchase; instead be amazed by what is on offer and go with the flow – often literally, with street performers obliging the rhythm!

As you’ll notice on arrival, the NH Collection Monterrey San Pedro hotel couldn’t be better placed for any of your shopping needs. Sitting on the same block as the Paseo San Pedro mall you have the likes of Ted Baker, Zara and Adolfo Domínguez on your doorstep, along with the more luxury brand names of Prada and Louis Vuitton. Restaurants, cafes, bars and even a cinema complex are all also just a few steps away.

Where and what to eat in Monterrey

Mexican cuisine has traveled the world over but don’t be fooled by what is on offer in your hometown. Traditional recipes, secret ingredients, and local produce are what make eating out in Monterrey an experience not to be forgotten.

If you are a meat lover, El Rey del Cabrito is the place to eat it. A top choice for one of the must-try dishes of the region and a restaurant that engulfs you with a sense of being in a movie scene with animals adorning the interior walls. As the self-proclaimed 'King' of roast baby goat, you should certainly come with an appetite, as the portions are more than generous. What you choose to accompany the meat is your only decision.

If, among the things to do in Monterrey, you are looking for a restaurant reservation to enjoy a special dinner, you’ll find it hard to better Koli (meaning ‘grandfather’ in the Maya language of Nauhti, to whom the restaurant is dedicated by the founders). Situated in Santa Catarina, the tasting menu brings joyful variety to the palate and will be a reference point long after the digestion process is complete.

Another attractive alternative is Madre Oaxaca. You will be delighted with the authentic Oaxacan sauces and toppings that give this restaurant such distinction.

It’s also worth remembering that the locals of Monterrey are very proud of their local brewery so, if beer is your thing, why not share a hoppy taste of the region with a friend or two and make a toast to this unforgettable trip.

As you may have noticed, Monterrey is a city passionate about its traditions. We hope that with our help you will get the most out of your visit.