Museums and galleries in Monterrey

Museums and galleries in Monterrey

1. SeeOuter Monterrey

   Antigua Estacion Del Golfo

   Old Railway Station, Casa de la Cultura

   Century old train station houses a railroad museum (naturally) as well as a library and offices of the Cultural Ministry. An old wooden caboose is the coolest exhibit, and visitors can enter the caboose and see how train crews would have lived while riding the rails. The railroad exhibit contains numerous exhibits including tools, signals, uniforms, and equipment used to maintain the railway.

   Mon-Sat 10:00 - 20:00, closed Sun·Free

2. BuyCentro

   Carapan

   In business at the same location for more than 70 years, this Monterrey popular art gallery and shop is one of the top 5 galleries for high-end artesanias. The best works from Mexico's top craftsmen in all genres and all regions are represented. You can find authentic black pottery from Oaxaca, Paquime style pottery from Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua, a huge selection of outstanding alebrijes from Michoacan, elaborate trees of life from Metepec and hundreds of similar items. This shop is a rare gem for the traveler who wants to take home a gallery-quality piece of artesania.

   Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00 closed Sun

3. SeeCentro

   Centro de Las Artes

   Art gallery displaying photographic works as well as drawings and paintings by contemporary artists.

   Tue-Sun 10:00 - 20:00, closed Mon

4. SeeEastern suburbs

   Guadalupe City Museum

   Dedicated to the origins of the municipality through its history, geographical features, and original settlers.

5. See

   Macroplaza

   In the east of the Zona Rosa is Mexico's largest zocalo, or central plaza, a stretch of green space lined with fountains, statues, gardens, and monuments. Ringing the park are many historical buildings and museums, including the Monterrey Cathedral, the Mexican History Museum, the Monterrey Contemporary Art Museum, and the former palace of the governor.

6. SeeCentro

   Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame

   Salon de la Fama del Beisbol

   The Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame expanded into a major new museum (new as of 2022) located in the heart of Parque Fundidora. Stop in and see the players who've made it big, not just in Mexico, but in U.S. major league teams as well. An entertaining and enlightening museum for any true sports fan. The gift shop sells baseball memorabilia. The new museum includes an on-site restaurant.

7. SeeCentro

   Mexican History Museum

   Museo de Historia Mexicana

   Large, modern museum chronicling the history of Mexico, from pre-Colombian civilizations like the Maya and Aztec, through the colonial period, the revolution, and the modern industrial age.

8. SeeCentro

   Muscera

   Wax Museum

   Classic wax museum with figures of political, historic, and popular entertainment personalities. Includes famous Mexican presidents like Benito Juarez as well as pop music stars like Michael Jackson or Juan Gabriel.

   Daily 10:00 - 20:30·M$100

9. SeeCentro

   Museo Acero horno3

   Located inside the enormous blast furnace, the museum has science and technology exhibits with a focus on engineering skills. A full-service restaurant called El Lingote is on the upper level.

   Tue-Sun 11:00 - 18:00, closed Mon·M$200 (general admission, discounts for children and students)

10. SeeCentro

    Museo Arte Contemporaneo (MARCO)

    Zuazua at Jardón. Monterrey's large, modern forum for contemporary arts is an architecturally stunning showpiece that features a fascinating collection of modern Latino artists. Frequently changing special expositions mean the museum is never the same tour twice. Includes a small outdoor sculpture garden.

11. SeeWestern suburbs

    Museo La Milarca

    Eclectic museum with a collection that began as an 18th century "Cabinet of Curiosities". The collection includes natural science objects, historical relics, and artistic objects including a large collection of coins from Mexico's colonial era. See the head of a T-Rex, one of Cortez's swords, shrunken heads from the south Pacific and many other cool things you didn't know you needed to see. The building itself resembles a medieval chapel in spirit, but is obviously new.

    Tue-Fri 14:00 - 19:00, Sat-Sun 10:00 - 20:00, closed Mon·M$100

12. SeeCentro

    Museo Metropolitano

    The old city hall has been transformed into a delightful, low-key museum. The ground floor features some permanent historical exhibits, but the upper level is usually dedicated to showcasing emerging local artists.

13. SeeWestern suburbs

    Museo de los Antiguos Mexicanos

    Monterrey's first museum dedicated to pre-Hispanic Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica is based on the personal collection of Mauricio Fernandez and exhibits from the now defunct Planetario Alfa. Fernandez spent decades visiting archaeological sites and studying once great civilizaations. It's a fairly large museum and very modern with well-designed displays, good lighting, and even some labels in English (though the Spanish-speaking visitor will get the most out of a visit). Major cultures each have their own gallery (salon). Most of the relics are artistic ceramic sculptures, as that material survives centuries underground in inclement conditions. A visit will probably not take much more than an hour (unless you're intently curious about Mexican archaeology). Many of the exhibits are temporary seasonal displays, so if you come back in a year or so, you may get an entirely different perspective than your first impression. Occasional live classical music.

    Tue-Sun 10:00 - 19:00, closed Mon·Free

14. SeeOuter Monterrey

    Museo del Vidrio

    Inside a bustling commercial glass works is a fascinating museum that features stunningly beautiful works of hand-spun glass. Some craft glass pieces are also for sale in the gift shop.

15. SeeCentro

    Museum of the Northeast

    Museo del Noreste, MUNE

    A regional history museum focusing on the role of the north in Mexico's long and fascinating history. Special exhibits of global interest are also featured.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed Mon

16. SeeOuter Monterrey

    Obispado

    Historical site, originally home of the Bishop de Monterrey, with excellent views of the city. Home to a small regional history museum with a clerical bent. The Obispado can be easily spotted by virtue of its enormous Mexican flag, flying proudly beside it. The neighborhood over and around the hill (Colonia Obispado) used to be home of the local high-class, and if you wander through it, you may spot some old mansions and colonial era houses. It's a steep 25 minute walk from the nearest bus stop to the top: Uber might be a better way to get there.

17. SeeCentro

    Palacio del Gobierno

    Government functions have been moved out of the original Nuevo Leon State House, and in their place is an impressive new museum that showcases the political history of Nuevo Leon. Although foreign tourists will likely find little value to some of the exhibits, the architecture of the place is fascinating and the restoration work first rate. At least walk in to admire the courtyards and the collection of stained glass windows memorializing Mexican heroes.

18. SeeCentro

    Papalote Childrens Museum

    Papalote Museo del Niño

    Childrens activities and learning experiences with an emphasis on hands-on activities.

    Tue-Sun 10:00 - 18:00, closed Mon·M$280 (admission only; IMAX or other activities are extra)

19. DoCentro

    Santa Lucía Riverwalk

    An artificial river with a wide walkway, running 2.5-km (1.5-mi) between the Mexican History Museum and Parque Fundidora. Pontoon boats glide along the route giving interpretive local history tours and giving you plenty of photo opportunities. En route, you'll find a pleasant sidewalk bar and restaurant, Las Tenerías, where Argentinian food can be enjoyed with a few drinks and occasional live music.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Monterrey (CC BY-SA 4.0).