24 Hours in Mexico City With Kids (and a Stroller in Tow)

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A panoramic view of Mexico City from a high-rise window at Le Méridien, with a sleek glass building reflecting the urban sprawl below. — City views for days from my husband’s room at Le Méridien Mexico City Reforma.

Thinking of spending 24 hours in Mexico City with kids? This sprawling, high-energy capital might not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re pushing a stroller, but with the right expectations, it can absolutely work.

I recently spent about a day in Mexico City with two toddlers and a stroller. We arrived in the afternoon, flew out the next day, and still managed to squeeze in local food, iconic landmarks, and a trip to the zoo. Here’s exactly what we did, how stroller-friendly the city turned out to be, and what to keep in mind if you’re planning a short stop in Mexico City with kids.

Where We Stayed

We were based at Le Meridien Mexico City Reforma, located on Paseo de la Reforma—one of the city’s most famous avenues. This area is packed with museums, landmarks, and historic sites like the Angel of Independence and Monumento a la Revolución. It’s a great home base if you want walkable access to big-name attractions without having to hop in a car constantly.

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Cover of the Travel Documents Checklist for Families from Fairytale Travel Guide, featuring two children looking out an airplane window.

Evening Arrival: Tacos & a Monument

Monumento a la Revolución in Mexico City under a clear blue sky, surrounded by a quiet plaza and pedestrians. — Monumento a la Revolución was only about a block away from our hotel and an easy walk with the stroller.

After checking into our hotel, we went for a short walk around the neighborhood. Just one block away is Monumento a la Revolución, a towering memorial arch commemorating the Mexican Revolution. At 67 meters tall (220 feet), it’s actually the tallest memorial arch in the world. The plaza surrounding it was easy to reach on foot, and my kids loved the wide open space to run around after the flight.

Cooks behind the counter at El Progreso taco stand in Mexico City, working over sizzling grills and trays of ingredients. — Watching the pros at work at El Progreso. These tacos were worth the inconvenience of visiting with a stroller in tow.

We kept dinner casual and headed to El Progreso, a taqueria with incredible local reviews. It was absolutely packed, which is usually a good sign, but it made things tricky with two toddlers and a double stroller. I ordered from the street, but had to go inside to pay, and the tight space plus a small staircase made it clear the stroller couldn’t come with me.

As I stood there trying to figure out the logistics, a woman working inside saw the situation and offered to stand next to the stroller while I ran in to pay. I could see the stroller clearly from the register, so I went for it—and it worked out perfectly. We brought the tacos back to our hotel room since there was nowhere to sit and no stroller-friendly space to eat nearby. The tacos were absolutely worth it.

Morning Coffee & a Walk to the Zoo

Two children eating breakfast at La Gloriosa restaurant, plates filled with noodles, pancakes, eggs, and fresh fruit. — Breakfast at La Gloriosa was free for us as a perk of our hotel stay at Le Méridien Mexico City.

The next morning, we grabbed breakfast at La Gloriosa, the hotel’s on-site restaurant. (You can read more about that in my full hotel review here.)

After breakfast, I made a quick stop across the street at Cielito Querido, a local coffee shop where I ordered an horchata with a shot of espresso—my favorite Mexican drink with a caffeine boost.

From there, we met up with my husband—he’s a pilot, and the entire point of this whirlwind trip was to spend time with him during his long overnight layover and then fly back home on his flight.

The golden Angel of Independence monument stands tall in the center of a traffic circle in Mexico City, framed by modern high-rises. — A classic Mexico City landmark, El Ángel de la Independencia. We walked past this one our way to Chapultepec Zoo.

We walked together down Paseo de la Reforma toward Bosque de Chapultepec, with a goal of visiting the zoo. Along the way, we passed El Ángel de la Independencia, a massive victory column commemorating the centennial of Mexico’s independence. Built in 1910, it’s become one of the most iconic landmarks in the city—and a gathering place for both celebration and protest.

The walk from our hotel to the zoo took about 45 minutes. It’s not a short stroll, but it gave us a chance to really take in the city. The route felt safe, and the shaded sidewalks helped keep things manageable, even with the kids.

Chapultepec Zoo: Free & Fantastic

Two young children look into an animal enclosure at Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City, one of the fun and free things to do in Mexico City with kids. They are pointing at a large black antelope in the distance. — Animal spotting at Chapultepec Zoo—one of the fun and free things to do in Mexico City with kids!

Zoológico de Chapultepec was such a surprise—it’s completely free to enter and beautifully maintained. There are optional paid exhibits, but we stuck to the free areas and were still impressed by the size and cleanliness of the zoo. The kids were thrilled, and I was just in awe that this kind of space is available at no cost.

One important thing to note: the bathrooms in the park and zoo cost money to access, and they only take coins. I definitely recommend keeping a stash of change with you when walking around the city. If you’re traveling without another adult, I also have a full post on how I handle bathroom breaks when traveling alone with toddlers.

Lunch & Recharge

A close-up of four beef tacos topped with onions and cilantro on a copper plate, with grilled lime and charred onion on the side. — These tacos from Sonora Grill were just as good as they look—smoky, flavorful, and perfectly grilled.

After the zoo, we grabbed an Uber to Barceló México Reforma, where my husband was staying. We didn’t stay with him since he was prepping for an overnight flight and needed daytime rest, but it was a convenient place to regroup for lunch. Car seat rules and enforcement can vary by destination, so I looked into our options ahead of time and we did not have an issue using Uber without car seats in Mexico City.

We ate at Sonora Grill, a steakhouse attached to the hotel, and the vibe was perfect—lively but relaxed. A woman came by with coloring books and crayons for the kids, which I initially thought was part of the restaurant service. But after a bit of chatting, it turned out she offered additional paid activities like face painting, and was working independently within the restaurant.

After lunch, we headed back to our own hotel for some downtime before our evening flight.

Mexico City With a Stroller

If I’m being honest, Mexico City was one of the least stroller-friendly cities I’ve visited so far with kids. The sidewalks were uneven, curb cuts were inconsistent or nonexistent, and many buildings weren’t accessible at all. I found it hard to enter stores or navigate tight spaces, and I barely saw any other strollers the entire time.

That said, I was still glad I had mine. Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to cover nearly as much ground. If you’re visiting Mexico City with kids, just know that you can do it with a stroller. It will just take some extra patience and flexibility.

Is 24 Hours in Mexico City With Kids Worth It?

Is 24 hours in Mexico City with kids enough? Not even close. But it was a great start.

We only scratched the surface, and I’m already planning to return with more time to explore. From iconic monuments to amazing tacos and a free zoo, this city delivered way more than I expected in such a short visit.

If you’re planning a layover or short stay in Mexico City with kids and a stroller, I hope this gives you a realistic look at what’s possible, even when your time is limited and your hands are full.

Have questions about this post or want help thinking through the logistics for your own trip? Join my free Facebook community for parents planning family travel. You can ask questions, share what you’re working through, and get real-life advice from other parents who understand how many little details go into traveling with kids.