Aztlán Parque Urbano: A Vibrant City Escape

Bring a hair tie, even if your hair is short, otherwise you won't be allowed on the rides, or you'll have to buy one at the souvenir shop. 😂🤣

Fairs, carnivals, fiestas, and all things colorful during the day—and anything that lights up the sky with neon and all things that twinkle at night—are fabulous for photographers. Aztlán Parque Urbano offers a little more than expected, and there really is something here for all ages! I have always been attracted to fairs and carnivals, perhaps as much for the visual spectacle as for the rides themselves. Give me a Ferris wheel, flashing lights, brightly painted signs, spinning machinery, people laughing, colorful food stands and a little controlled chaos, and I can happily disappear with my camera for hours. That is exactly what happened when I visited Aztlán Parque Urbano in Chapultepec. Located in the Second Section of Mexico City's enormous Bosque de Chapultepec, Aztlán occupies the site of the former La Feria de Chapultepec, a place that generations of Mexico City residents remember. Today, Aztlán brings amusement rides back to this part of Chapultepec, but in a newer setting that feels distinctly connected to Mexico City. Then there is the Ferris wheel. You really cannot ignore it. The enormous wheel has become one of Aztlán's defining visual features, rising above the park and creating a landmark that can be photographed from seemingly endless angles. From a distance it becomes part of the landscape; closer up, it turns into an abstract composition of lines, circles and repeating forms. For someone carrying a camera, it is irresistible. But what I particularly enjoyed was watching how the entire personality of the park began changing as daylight faded. Carnivals have two completely different lives: one under the sun and another after dark. During daylight hours you see the actual colors of everything—the painted surfaces, costumes, signs, rides and surrounding greenery of Chapultepec. As the sun begins to disappear, however, artificial light gradually takes control. Before long, the park that you were photographing in daylight has transformed into a landscape of neon, LEDs, reflections and things that twinkle. For me, this is when amusement parks become especially magical. The lights create completely different photographic possibilities. Moving rides become streaks of color. Reflections appear on polished surfaces. People's faces are illuminated by signs and attractions. Deep blue evening skies provide a beautiful background for saturated reds, greens, yellows and purples. You can photograph the same attraction at noon, sunset and after dark and end up with three completely different images. That transformation alone makes Aztlán worth giving yourself extra time. And although photography was a major reason I enjoyed my visit, Aztlán is certainly not just for photographers. There is an interesting mixture of experiences here that allows different generations to enjoy the park differently. Families with young children can find attractions suited to them, while teenagers and adults have more energetic rides, games and experiences to explore. You can participate in everything or simply wander around absorbing the atmosphere. #AztlánParqueUrbano #Chapultepec #CDMX #MexicoCity #Photography #NightPhotography #CarnivalLights #TravelPhotography #TravelWithRolando

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

The park is nice. But the food at Titanes del Taco is awful!

Nice place to spend time with family. Buying the wristband is cheaper than paying for each ride individually; it's only worth it if you plan on going on most of the rides.