Discover the Magic: New York to Monterrey Travel Guide

Intro

🎄✨ Exploring the holiday vibes at JFK International Airport in NYC, then diving into the festive spirit in Monterrey, Mexico! 🇲🇽 From charming Christmas decorations to the cultural richness of Parque Fundidora, and savoring delicious tacos along Paseo Santa Lucía. 🌮

Don’t miss the stunning views from Mirador del Obispado and the vibrant Barrio Antiguo! 🏙️ Finally, we wind down with a cozy stay after Los Cabos, and indulge in retail therapy at Fashion Drive Mall. Join us for a whirlwind adventure! 🛫🌅🛍️

Leaving New York City

I had planned this trip last minute as my Thanksgiving escapade, and to buy the roundtrip tickets I used my American Airlines miles. From JFK International Airport, I found some good tickets going nonstop on the way there, and then doing a top in Dallas, Texas, for the return.

It was almost December and of course the JFK Airport was all decorated.

I had visited Mexico multiple times, but it is always so exciting when I get to go to a new city. So far I had missed Monterrey, one of the biggest cities in this countries, but I was happy to finally be here.

After a long immigration process, I took an Uber from the very distant airport, into my hotel. I had divided my stay in 2 parts: BEFORE Cabos and AFTER Cabos. For these first nights I stayed in the Gamma Monterrey Gran Hotel, very well located in a nice area.

The hotel was cute, even though the room seemed a little bit dated. Regardless, I went to bed after a long day travelling.

Parque Fundidora

I would say that the main attraction of Monterrey is Parque Fundidora. It is a sprawling urban park built on the grounds of a former steel mill. Spanning over 140 hectares, it offers a blend of industrial heritage and recreational spaces.

Visitors can explore museums, gardens, lakes, and industrial remnants. It’s a cultural hub hosting events, concerts, and festivals, attracting locals and tourists alike with its unique charm and history.

And I would also that within Parque Fundidora, you MUST visit the Museo del Acero Horno 3. It is not only educational but also entertaining, providing with access to an elevator that would take you to the very top of one of the old silos, and would offer great views of this big city.

The shows happening every few hours are also very amazing. I saw the one called Planeta Tierra, which had projections on a globe, and was a very well crafted production.

Views from the Museo del Acero Horno 3

The ride to the top was included in the ticket that I got, and it was fun going up like a funicular.

Monterrey was being very cute this day, offering the best views. Thankfully later on this trip, I was going to be able to see it from the other side of the city.

The famous hills that surround the city can be seen on the background of the city skyline.

Paseo Santa Lucia

Getting out of Parque Fundidora was difficult. Let’s say that it took me a long time to get to the other side and actually walk a place where I was going to be able to take an Uber to my next destination.

But on the way there, I stopped at the Salon de la Fama del Beisbol Mexicano. It was a cute building in the middle of the park.

The main attraction of this area, though, was the Paseo de Santa Lucia. This is is a picturesque artificial riverwalk winding through the heart of the city.

Stretching over 2.5 kilometers, it meanders past lush greenery, sculptures, and historic sites. Visitors can enjoy boat rides, scenic strolls, and waterfront dining. Lit up beautifully at night, it offers a romantic ambiance and serves as a vibrant recreational spot for locals and tourists alike.

I was not going to walk the whole length of it, so I took an Uber and went to Tenerias restaurant, just a little west of this artificial river.

Here I got the Beef Tacos, that OMG, were so good. I hadn’t had a taco like this in such a long time. Love the freshness of the typical food in Mexico.

While eating I saw the boat going through the artificial river. I wanted to take this boat instead of the Uber, but the ticket booths in the East side were all abandoned. I had no idea how to board them.

Macroplaza

Of course, you cannot say that you visited Monterrey without going to Macroplaza. Located in the center of the city, here you can go deeper into the colonial history of this city.

And from my home country of Colombia, a Fernando Botero statue can be found in this area of Monterrey.

The entire plaza was very cute, even though it was not as busy as I was expected. Scared of lonely areas, I decided to continue walking south towards my hotel.

Mirador del Obispado

I would say that Mirador del Obispado is the best lookout of Monterrey, offering panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Perched atop the Cerro del Obispado hill, it provides breathtaking vistas of Monterrey’s skyline, mountains, and valleys. I took an Uber there from the city center.

The hill is fully accessible by car.

A big Mexican flag can be found in the middle.

Barrio Antiguo

To finish my day before heading to the airport on the way to Los Cabos, I had to explore the Barrio Antiguo. This is is a charming and historic neighborhood renowned for its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and vibrant atmosphere.

Lined with colorful buildings, quaint cafes, art galleries, and boutique shops, it exudes a bohemian charm. By day, it’s a cultural hotspot with museums and cultural centers, while by night, it transforms into a lively hub with bustling bars, restaurants, and live music venues, attracting locals and tourists alike.

What was interesting to me is that it is not the typical Colonial Center like the ones in Mexico City and Bogota. It was very colorful but unique in its own way. Loved taking a stroll around it, and eating some Colombian arepas while in there.

Time to go to the airport for Los Cabos, and you can read that blog right now. In the meantime, a reality of Latinamerica, especially Mexico was affecting me on the way to the airport. Have all that in mind, when you plan your transportation to the airport.

Fashion Drive Mall

I returned from Los Cabos for a last night in Monterrey. This time I decided to stay in Hotel Safi Centro. I literally could not sleep in this hotel. My room neighbors had a party until very late, and even though I called the reception, they did not care. Definitely do not stay there.

At least, right after I checked in, I was able to go to the Fashion Drive Mall, just in the richest areas of this city.

There, I ate the fish tacos from La Embajada. They were so good.

And just after dinner, I had to have a Christmas related sweet.

The Return

On the way back I had to travel to Dallas and then, to New York City. The Sunrise was beautiful while I got in this American Airlines plane.

And a few hours later I was back in the US. The immigration in Dallas and transfer to New York City were very easy, making it super smooth.