A relative newcomer to a city with an abundance of museums (having opened in 2006) the Museo de Arts Popular wears a number of proverbial hats. A folk art museum, it houses eye-poppingly beautiful handicrafts from across Mexico, while simultaneously covering the country’s history and its many cultures. Exhibits are arranged thematically on each of the museum’s three levels and include ferocious masks from Chiapas, lovely glasswork from Tecali, pottery from Michoacan, and alebrijes, the very colorful, meticulously painted animal figures from Oaxaca. The origin and history of each of these crafts, as well as the role they continue to play in Mexican celebrations and customs, is explained in relative depth, in both Spanish and English. The museum store, not surprisingly, is a great place to find quality handicrafts. Before you head inside, take a gander at the classic 1920s Art Deco building that holds the museum—it was the former headquarters of the fire department.