Casa del Lago UNAM

Casa del Lago Juan José Arreola was Mexico City's first cultural center when it opened in the 1950s under the direction of writer Juan José Arreola, setting the model for the dozens that followed. The early 20th-century building sits right on Chapultepec Lake with a view up to the castle, and the UNAM-run space hosts rotating art exhibitions, audiovisual installations, underground theater performances, and outdoor concerts in its lakeside garden.

The programming is consistently interesting — recent shows have included everything from Remedios Varo pieces to experimental sound installations — and admission is free. There's a café with lake views and comfortable seating areas on the lawn, including woven chairs and petates for lounging. Book ahead for guided tours of the house itself; general gallery access doesn't require a reservation.