Monterrey, the capitol of the state of Nuevo León, is the city that I’ve visited the most in Mexico. It’s only about a 2-and-a-half hour drive from the Texas border, and about 7 hours from Austin, where my mom lives.
I’ve made this trip many times, but still get excited as soon as I start seeing mountains in the distance!
And so do the girls! This means we’re almost there!
This time around, we didn’t go out much. We were there to spend time with my grandma, after all, not sightsee. One beautiful Saturday we did go downtown, however, looking for something new to explore!
In NYC, the taxis may be yellow, but in Monterrey, they’re green! 😛
We first stopped by Morelos Street to see some artesanías (arts & crafts).
Just across the street from this is the Macroplaza, the 2nd largest plaza in the world!
Cooling off by the fountain was fun.
Goofing off by the Fuente de la Vida/Neptuno.
Buying stuff (that I didn’t really need) from vendors. How can you say no to that face?
PARQUE FUNDIDORA
The land where this park is located was once property of a steel mill. A few of the old industrial structures are still in existence, including this one that houses a restaurant. It’s all very beautiful.
This park is HUGE! Here you can find tons of walking paths, multiple playgrounds, an artificial lake, a convention center, a hotel, and even an ice skating rink.
We watched the zipline for a bit, while rehydrating. It was HOT!
Cool pieces like this decorate the park…
PASEO SANTA LUCíA
An artificial river that connects the Macroplaza with the Parque Fundidora, it was finished in 2007, and was inspired by the San Antonio riverwalk. Voted one of the 13 man-made maravillas (wonders) of Mexico!**
This was my first time visiting the Paseo Santa Lucía. Motorboats go back and forth between the two parks all day, and at only about 1 and a half miles long, the ride takes about 20 minutes. 50 minutes round trip. A cool feature – free wifi all along the riverwalk!
40 pesos for a round-trip ticket, or about $3.50 in American dollars
Waiting patiently in line!
My beautiful primas (cousins) were with us!
So many things to see! This building is one of the newest in Monterrey.
There are multiple fountains (I counted more than 20!) along the riverwalk.
This fountain sounded like a machine gun when the water hit!
If they can they play in the fountain, why can’t we? – my daughters asked!
Art was everwhere! Mosaics, sculptures…
The boat stops at the Museum of Mexican History, where you can hop off if you’d like. We’ve been to the museum many times, so opted to stay on the boat and go back to Fundidora park, where we had left the car.
This is a sculpture in front of the museum.
THE FOOD
Just because we didn’t go out much doesn’t mean I didn’t indulge in some good food! Street food, mostly – tacos, papas asadas (grilled potatoes filled with all kinds of good stuff), hamburgers, fruit with chile and lime, chicharrones (pork skins), just to name a few. My cousins would bring me all sorts of yummy things! I also had plenty of my tía’s tamales.
Tacos de carne asada
Nieve estilo Jalisco
The texture of this sorbet-like dessert is amazing! So smooth. I love the mango/chamoy combo.
Chamoy is a sour/spicy sauce. Maura preferred uva. Grape!
Empanadas
Pumpkin is probably the most popular, but I like the ones with cajeta! You may know it as dulce de leche.
Elote en vaso (corn in a cup)
This is so unhealthy but SO good. Fresh corn, cream or mayo, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, powdered chile. Mine was made with yellow cheese, too… skip that.
Mexican sushi
My first time trying sushi in Mexico! It was… different. Very little actual fish present, lots of fried options.
Good, though! Especially washed down with a couple of margaritas.
But the BEST part of visiting Monterrey?
Seeing family.
This is Maura with my abuelito José.
Oh, and I can’t forget the little Mexican dogs. After all, that’s where our little Chiquito is from!
**The other 12 man-made wonders being: Calakmul, Campeche; Underground roads in Guanajuato; Mexico City’s Historic District; Chichen-Itzá; Chepe Railroad in Chihuahua; Mazatlán, Sinaloa; Palenque, Chiapas; Tajín, Veracruz; Teotihuacan; Tulum; Xochicalco; and Monte Albán, Oaxaca. My friend Ana of SpanglishBaby just wrote a great post about Monte Albán, actually.
Thank you for posting all the photos, especially the one of your abuelito. That one was my favorite. I’m happy you really lived and enjoyed the trip.
Thanks for stopping by, Maria Amelia. It really was a great trip. Can’t wait to go back!
You’re an awesome photographer. You capture the true beauty of it all. Can’t wait to read your recap when u get back!! Have a safe and fun trip!
Thanks so much, Lisa! You always leave the sweetest comments 🙂
First of all, I concur with Lisa – the photos are beautiful! So bright and they tell such a vivid story. It was sweet that you took photos of your beautiful family as well!
Thanks, Sujeiry! 😉
beautiful city
Thanks for sharing these lovely pictures with us!
Thanks for taking the time to check them out, Rochelle! I know I don’t show it enough, but I really appreciate you reading/commenting on my blog! 🙂
Oh wow – this makes me want to jump in the car and head for the border!! 🙂 Love all the great photos! Thanks for taking us along on your adventure!
Thanks, Mellisa! I appreciate you stopping by my blog and checking ’em out 🙂
beautiful pictures!
Thanks, Rachel! 🙂
I love it… I feel like I took that trip with you…. I could almost taste the elote…. I would have jumped in the fountain too. 🙂
Wow!, hiciste que Monterrey se viera hermoso y además me encantó lo de tus beautiful primas jeje, qué bueno que se hayan divertido y los esperamos pronto por acá. Saludos 🙂
😉
i looooove me some mexico. though cuban, my family makes it a point to go to any part of the country at least one a year! there’s so much culture, history, art and incredible food! Looks like you had a wonderful time!
We did 🙂 Thanks, Bren!
Wow! Se que fue un viaje difícil, pero que fotos más increíbles! Your daughters are so lucky. I wish I could visit my homeland much more often than the once or twice a year I actually do! Mostly, for mis niños!!
Gracias, Roxana!
Gracias por llevarme a conocer a Monterrey a través de tus fotos. Precioso! y qué divino cuando se comparte en familia.
Gracias, Raisa! 🙂
Beautiful photo story! I love all the colors, even the sky!
Thanks, Ann!
Bellisiiiiimooo, me encanto, que gran trabajo has hecho mostrando la verdadera cara de Mexico y sus maravillas, y tu hija, nacida para modelo, hermososimaaaa, felicidades!!!
Gracias, Eliana 🙂
So many pretty photos! Sounds like an amazing trip 🙂
It was! Thanks, Mercedes!
Bellas fotos!! Que lugar tan lindo.
Gracias, Mirna! 😉
Wow, que fotos mas hermosas, se ve que la pasaste muy bien en tus vacaciones.
https://www.simpleydelicioso.com/
Siii!! Gracias, Ely!
Muy lindo Monterrey! me encanta la foto con las montanas de fondo!
Me encantan tus fotos y me encanta Mexico aunque no haya tenido la ocasión de ir a Monterrey! Por suerte en California, estamos algo cerca y mis planes futuros será conocermelo enterito!
http://www.comiendoenla.com
Gracias!
Que fotos increibles! tu nena es hermosa! 🙂
Gracias, Uchi! 🙂
Que buen post. Hicimos el viaje completo contigo y tu familia.
La comida se ve deliciosa, los paisajes hermosos. Dan ganas de salir corriendo para Monterrey. Saludos!
Gracias, Cristina! 😉
Lovely photos — diversity of colors, themes, and styles. I love the waterway photos especially. Definitely a place on my list of places to visit! Been to so many cities in Mexico, and yet still so much to see. Wonderful, wonderful photo essay…
Thanks so much for stopping by to take a look at my photos, Aurelia! I appreciate it!
Great pictures! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by, Yoly!
lindas fotos que lindo Monterrey ya quiero ir a visitar. Nice Nice pictures and a lot 🙂
Gracias, Lilian 😉
Oh what a wonderful story! It’s so beautiful there and looks like you had such a great time. Makes me want to visit Mexico someday….P.S. Have a wonderful trip!!!!
Thanks so much, Cathy! 🙂
Wow! You captured some great memories! The food alone makes me want to visit. Think Abuelito José would let me stay a week or two? 😉 I’m glad you had a great trip.
Thanks for taking the time to check my photos out, Renee! I know I don’t show it enough, but I really appreciate you reading/commenting on my blog! 🙂
Bellisimas las fotos! I can tell you had a wonderful time and Monterrey looks more beautiful than ever. I’ve been to MacroPlaza pero no Parque Fundidora – it looks lovely. How much fun! Que bello México 🙂
Gracias, Helena! I love Monterrey 😉
I loved these pictures! Gorgeous. Your trip looks like a lot of fun! Those tacos made my mouth water!
Thanks, Tara!
The place looks stunning. But the food is the real beauty. I like spicy Mexican food and that tacos de carne asada is a joy to look at. I’d love to eat that taco in front of that view in Paseo de Santa Lucia.
What a lovely trip! Those tacos look really good!!!(:
So special to go home and see family!
They WERE really good! I could use some right about now :). Thanks for stopping by!
I felt like I visited. Great photo storyline!
Gracias, Blanca!
The pictures are beautiful. I have an opportunity to visit for a wedding but am concerned about the reported violence.
Any advice?
Ellie,
Don’t let this keep you from visiting! When I go to Mexico, I follow a few precautions – I only travel during the day, don’t go to nightclubs, don’t use my cellphone (or other gadgets) in public. I could feel a little tension when crossing the border (federal police staring us down!), but other than that felt completely safe. I’m not sure if this helps at all, but let me know if you have any questions and enjoy the wedding!
muy bonitas foto mariana , tienes mucho talento 😀 monterrey se ve precioso
atte. tefy tu prima (:
Gracias, Tefy! 🙂
Miss you!