Overlooked by the twin peaks of Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Mountain), Monterrey is the industrial and cultural capital of northern Mexico. It has devoted some of its iron and steel profits to beautifying itself—with proud results. Much of the activity occurs in the Gran Plaza—a huge complex of squares and the heart of a strikingly modern downtown area. There, you'll find the cathedral, the Zaragoza Plaza, the excellent Mexican History Museum and the Contemporary Art Museum (works by cutting-edge modern artists from Latin America—don't miss it). Colon Market and the Zona Rosa (a center for shopping and nightlife) are just west of the Gran Plaza. The Barrio Antiguo, an old colonial neighborhood and main center for Monterrey's lively nightlife, is to the east of the plaza. Across the street from Plaza Sesame, a children's entertainment center, is the transformed site of a steel mill, which has been turned into a lovely park with a museum fashioned from one of the factory buildings. Transportation around the city is easy, thanks to the metro rail system—another point of pride for Regiomontanos, as the residents call themselves.
Nearby Chipinque Mesa commands a great view of the area. Day trips can be made to Cascada Cola de Caballo (Horsetail) waterfalls (about 55 mi/90 km northwest); Grutas de Garcia (Garcia Caves—30 mi/50 km south), which are reached by cable car from the foot of a mountain; and Huasteca Canyon, an impressive gorge 23 mi/43 km southwest of town, where hiking and mountain climbing excursions take place (book in town). 150 mi/240 km south of Laredo, Texas.
