Parks and the outdoors in Monterrey

Parks and the outdoors in Monterrey

1. DoEastern suburbs

   Bosque Magico amusement park

   A few meters from La Pastora Park. It has a zombie ride, mice against police, the king loop fighter, ski flyer, etc.

2. BuyCentro

   Callejón Cultural

   Every Sunday, Mina street is closed to make room for a pedestrian swap meet. Stretching from Padre Jardón to Padre Mier, you can walk and enjoy a vegan snack or a glass of fresh pulque while browsing through antiques, local artwork, handcrafts, and used books, among a myriad of hidden treasures. Street entertainers and strolling food vendors round out the crowd. Vendors also set up along Morelos. Several antique shops are also located on Padre Jardon, just in case the vendors set up on the street don't have enough things you don't need.

3. Do

   Cerro de la Silla

   - Monterrey's most famous landmark is the saddle-shaped mountain that dominates the local skyline. After hiking about 25 min uphill there is already the. On the rocks you have a terrific view over the city. There are hiking trails continuing in the direction of its peak. To the you can take an Uber or city bus. Bus lines 223 and 93 go very frequently from the Zona Rosa. At the is a minimarket, where you can buy water for the hike.

4. DoEastern suburbs

   Cerro del Topo Chico

   Topo Chico is a small, low mountain in the center of Monterrey, partly within the city boundaries of Monterrey and partly within the municipalities of Escobedo and San Nicolas de los Garza. It is a protected reserve managed by the State of Nuevo Leon and offers some good hiking trails with vistas of the entire city from the peak vantage point. Up and down hikes will generally take 5-6 hours, though you may want longer if you stop to explore some of the caves or need frequent rest breaks. Wear tough shoes and bring water. There are no facilities for visitors.

5. SeeOuter Monterrey

   Cerveceria Cuahtemoc

   Monterrey is a historic beer brewing center, whose beers are household names around the world. The historic 19th-century brewery is now used primarily for offices, with actual production happening in the modern plant across Avenida Cuahtemoc. Their outdoor beer garden is open daily to welcome visitors to sit down under the towering oak trees while enjoying free samples of Carta Blanca, Dos Equis, Bohemia, Sol, or one of the other beers brewed here. Tours of the brewery are available only by advance appointment.

6. DrinkCentro

   Cerveceria Fausto

   Hip craft brewery with a large outdoor beer garden under the Metro tracks. Beers are much better than most craft breweries in the region because the brewery has lagering facilities and can produce a wider range of beers with cleaner flavor profiles. Some of the best are their dopplebock and a schwartzbier. Dogs are allowed. Occasional live music. Food trucks on site (particularly on weekends).

   Mon-Thu 16:00 - 23:00, Fri-Sun 13:00 - 23:00·M$200

7. DrinkOuter Monterrey

   Cerveceria Fausto

   Microbrewery with a large open beer garden serving tacos, grilled meats and of course, a range of house-brewed ales including the aggressively hopped "Hopzilla" IPA.

   Daily 13:00 to 23:00 but only sells beer after 16:00·M$100

8. DoWestern suburbs

   Chipinque Ecological Park

   Chipinque is one of the white-faced mountains towering over Monterrey, this one over the suburban municipalities of San Pedro and Garza Garcia. Drive up to the mesa where you can picnic while your kids enjoy the playground. Go hiking or mountain biking on the rugged trails that go up through the mountains to a fire-spotting station, or onwards toward the reservoir near the outlying town of Santiago. There is a rustic mountain lodge offering affordable family lodging and a restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine in a setting with unparalleled views of the city below.

9. DoWestern suburbs

   Cumbres of Monterrey National Park

   Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey is the northernmost of Mexico national parks and one of the largest, with more than 1,770 hectares (680 square miles) of rugged mountain terrain. It has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park includes several of Monterrey's landmark mountains, along with sheer cliffs, rushing rivers, hidden caves, and even some lions, tigers, and bears. Okay, maybe not tigers, but they definitely have mountain lions and bears, and they do have coyotes, bobcats, and jaguars, along with snakes, birds, and lots of other things. The park can be accessed from various points in Monterrey, Santa Catarina, Guadalupe, and San Pedro Garza Garcia.

   free

10. DoEastern suburbs

    Expo Feria

    If you're a fan of county or state fairs, you'll enjoy Expo Feria, the largest fair in Nuevo Leon. Livestock shows as well as a midway with games, rides, a beer garden, and lots of stands with sugary, fatty foods your waistline doesn't need. The fair starts in late April and typically runs throughout May.

11. EatEastern suburbs

    Il Gallo Nero Trattoria y Pizzaria

    Cozy Italian restaurant with a brick oven producing some of the best Neapolitan style pizzas outside of Naples. Small parking lot for off-street parking or park on the street.

    Sun-Wed 12ː00 - 22ː00, Fri-Sat 12ː00 - 00ː00·M$200

12. DoOuter Monterrey

    La Estanzuela

    A large park within the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park. Known for rock climbing, rappelling, and beautiful (steep) hikes.

    Wed-Sun 08:00-17:30·MX$5

13. DoEastern suburbs

    La Pastora Park and Zoo

    Inside the park, there is a zoo that houses different species of animals, in addition to an aviary and a herbarium.

14. 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.

15. 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.

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. DoOuter Monterrey

    Palacio Sultanes

    Estadio Mobil Super, Walmart Park, Estadio de Beisbol

    Modern baseball stadium that is home of the Sultanes de Monterrey, the local Mexican League hometown favorites. The Sultanes also field a team in the Pacific League, which is a winter league, so you can catch a game throughout much of the year. Built in 1990 to seat over 40,000 the stadium is today configured for a crowd of about 21,000. It also hosts large concert events under the never commonly used venue name "Walmart Park".

18. 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.

19. BuyWestern suburbs

    Parque Arboleda

    Mixed use center built around a central park area with playgrounds and walking paths. Shops are in two buildings (Oriente and Poniente) and include an Apple Mac store, jewelry stores, furniture stores and many restaurants. The JW Marriott hotel is here.

    Open now · closes midnight tomorrow

20. DoWestern suburbs

    Parque El Capitan

    Meandering urban park with jogging trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and dog parks. Popular for early morning workouts or yoga.

    Daily 06:00 - 22:00

21. DoEastern suburbs

    Parque España

    Similar to a YMCA, this is a park focused on fitness and family development. They have a gym, workout facilities, a large pool, an after-school program and classes for aerobics, kickboxing, karate, and more. A pedestrian and bicycle bridge crosses the Rio Santa Catarina, connecting the park to Parque Fundidora. Day passes cost M$200, or monthly plans are available.

22. DoEastern suburbs

    Pipo Park

    Park dedicated to "Pipo", the local clown. It has walks along the river and various green areas.

23. DoWestern suburbs

    Rufino Tamayo Park

    Parque Rufino Tamayo

    Rolling hills with hiking/biking trails, exercise stations, and shady patches. Popular place for early morning joggers and afternoon dog walkers. Parking available on Av. Eugenio Garza but it has a complicated payment system requiring obscure apps.

    Daily 06:00 - 22:00·Free

24. 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.

25. DoCentro

    Teatro de la Ciudad

    City Theatre

    Monterrey's showcase for the performing arts is the Teatro de la Ciudad, in the heart of downtown. The theatre presents dramatic works, musical performances, and dance. It is the home venue for the Monterrey Ballet which typically performs 4-5 shows per year. The 2025 season will include La Fille Mal Gardée, Convergencia, Swan Lake, Giselle and The Nutcracker. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster for shows in the Gran Sala (Great Hall) or through the theatre's ticket office.

    Varies·Varies

26. DoEastern suburbs Not mapped

    Abasolo and El Carmen

    Two adjacent small towns that might be interesting for people who have already seen "everything" in Monterrey. Abasolo is a typical dusty Nuevo Leon town with a pleasant zocalo bordered by an historic church, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, which has an oil painting of the Virgin that was painted in 1760. El Carmen might be just a tad larger than Abasolo and is the site of an abandoned mine referred to as "Minas Viejas". It's not a touristic destination though Monterrey adventurers like to go there with a flashlight and helmet (there are no lights and no tour guides to lead you). A vigorous hike takes you to the mine.

27. DoEastern suburbs Not mapped

    Cerro de la Silla

    The icon of the city of Monterrey is in the municipality of Guadalupe. It is used by athletes for climbing and it is also a pleasant but fairly strenuous family walk.

28. DoWestern suburbs Not mapped

    La Huasteca climbing area

    Parque La Huasteca is the first established climbing area in the city and is one of the most popular attractions in the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park. With nearly 300 bolted routes with grades from 5.4 to 5.14, it is the favorite place for weekend climbers. There are no entrance fees for most of the climbing areas. There is a Via Ferrata route that has led to deaths of inexperienced climbers.

29. BuyWestern suburbs

    Avanta Gardens

    Cineplex, spas, gym, restaurants.

    Open now · closes 10 pm

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