Romance Week: Mexico City Sights

Same-sex marriage bells are ringing in a growing number of U.S. states and forward-thinking countries. But where should queers-in-the-know head for forthcoming nuptials or fabulously memorable honeymoons? EDGE suggests letting your five senses make the call.

Home to an astounding population of nearly 20 million people in its greater metropolitan area, Mexico City is something to see. The capital city has a notably large LGBT community, hosts the country's biggest Pride parade every June, and lately has seen a substantial civic investment in beautifying and activating the city's public spaces.

Elected officials took their liberal agenda to the next level in 2009, signing same-sex marriage into law two years after civil unions were legalized in 2007. The result is a vibrant out-and-proud gay and lesbian community that welcomes the chance to host weddings and pop the celebratory bubbly for honeymooners. Zona Rosa is the city's main "gayborhood" (and home to the Pride parade route along Paseo de la Reforma), marked by its pink cobblestones and freewheeling attitudes.

Mexico City Essentials

Do:
Head to Alameda Central, the city's sprawling central park, to view some of the city's beautifully landscaped grounds and fountains, as well as the Museo Mural Diego Rivera just west of the park. There you can behold one of the artist's most cherished works, "Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda," which managed to survive the 1985 earthquake and subsequently had a museum built around it.

The Alameda has undergone a nearly $20-million renovation that serves as a lush, green respite in the middle of buzzing Mexico City traffic. Don't miss a visit to the marvelous, century-old Palacio de Bellas Artes, the first national theater of Mexico, with gorgeous Art Nouveau and Art Deco details.

Eat:
One of the trendiest neighborhoods is Condesa-Roma, home to scads of queers who flock for the cute cafes, boutiques and clubs. Head to the charming Rosetta restaurant for sophisticated dishes that combine Italian and traditional Mexican flavors. But plan ahead: The restaurant's modest size and reliable popularity make it hard to get a table.

Stay:
There are scores of affordable and gay-friendly accommodations throughout Mexico City, from Zona Rosa to Condesa-Roma and beyond. But feast your just-married eyes on the Camino Real in the mucho-cosmopolitan Polanco district. The hotel opened its mod doors in 1968, and today serves as one of the most eye-catching and colorfully sleek hotels in the city.

Most Romantic Move:
Frida Kahlo lived a hard life, but no one can say she didn't make the most of the cards she was dealt. Head to her visually captivating Blue House in the Distrito Federal to see how she created a haven of colorful bliss that stands today as one of the world's most intimate and visually marvelous museums.

Pairs Well With:
Quintana Roo on Mexico's Yucat�n Peninsula -- home to Cancun, Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen -- recently made same-sex marriage legal. What better side trip from Mexico City than a gay-welcoming district boasting some of the country's most scenic beaches?

Click and Go

Visit Mexico
www.visitmexico.com

Mexico City LGBT Guide
www.mexicocity.gob

Museo Mural Diego Rivera
www.museomuraldiagorivera.bellasartes.gob

Rosetta
www.tripadvisor.com

Camino Real Polanco
www.caminoreal.com

Museo Frida Kahlo
www.museofridakahlo.org