Monterrey may not be as well-known of a tourist destination as more famous cities like Mexico City or Puerto Vallarta, but it’s got plenty to do for travelers who want to go beyond the usual beach activities. It’s known throughout the country as the economic powerhouse of northern Mexico, but it doesn’t take long to realize it’s also a city with more to do than its industrial reputation would suggest.
Photo: Guillermo Aparicio Servin/Shutterstock
6 Things to Do With a Few Extra Days in Monterrey, Mexico
Monterrey sits in the shadow of the folds of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains, giving it easier access to nature than you’d expect from Mexico’s second-largest city. You can spend the morning wandering through one of Mexico’s premier top art museums, biking past towering steel furnaces in a sprawling urban park, and or hiking deep in a mountain canyon as wild coatimundi run by.
The city’s compact center makes it easy to explore on foot, while nearby towns, ecological parks, and geological draws make for quick escapes for anyone who wants to add a day trip out of the city. Whether you’re there for a weekend, planning a stopover before the 2026 World Cup, or just have a few extra days in one of Mewxico’a most overlooked urban destinations, these are the best places to see and things to do in Monterrey, Mexico.
Monterrey Contemporary Art Museum
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- Distance from Monterrey: In town
The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Monterrey (MARCO) is the region’s top contemporary art museum, housed in a striking, minimalist building identified by the famous oversized bronze dove sculpture in front. Inside, the galleries host rotating exhibitions from major Latin American and international artists, including everything from large-scale installations to photography, sculpture, and mixed media.
There’s no permanent collection on display as the exhibits are constantly rotating, so it’ll feel like a new museum, even if you’ve been there before. It’s compact enough to see in an hour or two, but you should budget a full half day if you want to read about every piece of art or visit the on-site restaurant. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday and admission is MX$100 per person, with free admission on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Note that signage is mostly in Spanish, so download Spanish for Google Translate if you’re not fluent.
Parque Fundidora
Photo: Guillermo Aparicio Servin/Shutterstock
- Distance from Monterrey: In town
Parque Fundidora is one of the easiest places in town to visit, combining green space with Monterrey’s industrial culture, with a touch of contemporary art mixed in for good measure. It’s a large park built on the site of the city’s former steel factory, and many of the massive pieces of manufacturing apparatus were left in place, giving it a distinctive look. The park has wide grassy areas and lakes framed by blast furnaces, smokestacks, and rusted metal catwalks. Visitors can leisurely wander along the paths, rent bikes on site, or stop into Horno 3. It’s a former furnace converted into an interactive museum with excellent views from its upper platforms.
From the park, you can connect to the Paseo Santa Lucía, a landscaped canal that links Fundidora with the Macroplaza (below). During big events or holiday weekends, the park is often busy with public events, and the restaurants are often quite lively on sunny spring and fall weekends.
Monterrey Macroplaza / Barrio Antiguo
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- Distance from Monterrey: In town
The Macroplaza and Barrio Antiguo sit next to one another in Monterrey’s historic center and make for an easy half-day stroll. The Macroplaza is one of the largest public squares in Latin America, with a long, open row of gardens, fountains, monuments, and government buildings that connects many of the city’s major cultural sites. You can see the Palacio de Gobierno (Governor’s Palace), the Faro del Comercio (Lighthouse of Commerce monument), and the outdoor sculptures in one easy-to-navigate walk.
Just east of the plaza is Barrio Antiguo, home to restored 18th- and 19th-century streets with cafés, small museums, boutique shops, and most of Monterrey’s nightlife. On weekends, the pedestrian areas are filled with street vendors and live music, and the neighborhood feels far more intimate than the city’s modern districts. It’s also where you’ll find the town partying and celebrating during major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.z
Chipinque Ecological Park
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- Distance from Monterrey: 7.5 miles
Chipinque Ecological Park (Parque Ecológico Chipinque) is Monterrey’s closest escape into the mountains, sitting only 15 to 20 minutes by car from the city. It’s loaded with hiking, biking, and running trails ranging from short overlooks to legitimately tough summit climbs. Popular options include the Mirador El Pinal hike (6 miles, 1,800-foot gain) or the shorter hike to a historic home on the Casa del General Almazán trail (2 miles, 500-foot gain).
Chipinque is easy to navigate with well-marked trailheads and maps available for a nominal fee at the entrance. There’s a small parking fee and an entrance fee of about MX$100 per person. Bring plenty of water, and keep an eye out for animals like coatimundis and white-tailed deer.
The Caves of Garcia
Photo: Guillermo Aparicio Servin/Shutterstock
- Distance from Monterrey: 26 miles
The Grutas de García, about 30 to 40 minutes northwest of Monterrey, are one of northern Mexico’s best day trips, and genuinely impressive, even if you’re not a geology person. Visits start with a short cable car ride up the hillside to the cave entrance, looking out onto the Sierra Madres on the way. Inside, you’ll walk a 1.5-mile lit path through large chambers with stalagmites and stalactites with names like “El Salón de la Luz” (the Hall of Light). Visits are guided and cost about MX$250 ($14) combined for both the cable car and the cave tour. Bring cash to pay for your admission, or book a tour from Monterrey that includes transportation and cave access.
Cola de Caballo Waterfall
Photo: University of College/Shutterstock
- Distance from Monterrey: 28 miles
The Cola de Caballo Waterfall is south of Monterrey near the town of Santiago. It’s one of the easiest outdoor day trips from Monterrey, with an easy hike to a waterfall that drops about 80 feet in a thin, white stream that looks somewhat like a horse’s tail (hence the name). It’s inside Cumbres de Monterrey National Park in a shady canyon full of vegetation that feels quite distinct from Monterrey.
The trail is paved and gentle, gaining roughly 250 feet over the course of the 1.2-mile path. It’s not strenuous, and most visitors can reach the viewing platform in about 20 minutes. There’s parking at the trailhead, and the fee is usually about MX$100 per person (roughly $5.50). If you feel like adding another stop after seeing the falls, head to Santiago. It’s a Pueblo Mágico, where you can grab lunch in the main square or head to nearby Presa de la Boca for lake views. 