Bosque de Chapultepec is one of the largest city parks in the world, sprawling across more than 1,600 acres in the heart of Mexico City. The park is divided into three sections: the first, busiest section is open Tuesday to Sunday and holds Chapultepec Castle and the National Museum of Anthropology, while sections two and three stay open around the clock and include the city zoo, lakes, and the Bosque de Chapultepec Botanical Garden.
Highlights include paddle boating on Lago de Chapultepec and Lago Mayor, the Chapultepec Zoo, the Museo Cárcamo de Dolores, and sweeping views of the city from Chapultepec Castle, a former imperial residence perched on a hill above the park. Entry to the park itself is free; the castle, museums, and zoo attractions inside it charge separate admission.
Visit on a weekday morning to beat the crowds, and wear comfortable shoes since the grounds are vast. Spring and fall bring the mildest weather for walking the wooded paths and gardens.