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I based this thread on the capitols of the 3 largest North American countries (Canada, US and Mexico). The contenders are Ottawa, Washington DC and Mexico City. Which of these would you want to visit as a tourist? I pick Mexico City. I've always wanted to go there.
Washington, DC is my pick, with Mexico City very close behind.
I feel a patriotic duty to visit Washington, DC at least once in my life. I can imagine the sense of pride and awe getting to see our nation's most important institutions and buildings. Getting to see the White House, Capitol and all the monuments and museums would be an incredible experience. As well as getting to experience the actual city of Washington. I'd also like to see New Mexico Avenue, even though it isn't that important or grand a street as others like Pennsylvania Avenue.
With Mexico City it would be a visit to the ancient and historic center of the homeland of my ancestors. It would also be a religious pilgrimage to see the Basilica of Guadalupe and the original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the site of her apparition. Getting to see places like the Aztec pyramids, the Zocalo, Bellas Artes, Paseo de La Reforma and Chapultepec Park would be awesome as well. Getting to experience the food scene in Mexico City would be excellent!
[quote=ABQalex;58323068]Washington, DC is my pick, with Mexico City very close behind.
I feel a patriotic duty to visit Washington, DC at least once in my life. I can imagine the sense of pride and awe getting to see our nation's most important institutions and buildings. Getting to see the White House, Capitol and all the monuments and museums would be an incredible experience. As well as getting to experience the actual city of Washington. I'd also like to see New Mexico Avenue, even though it isn't that important or grand a street as others like Pennsylvania Avenue.
With Mexico City it would be a visit to the ancient and historic center of the homeland of my ancestors. It would also be a religious pilgrimage to see the Basilica of Guadalupe and the original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the site of her apparition. Getting to see places like the Aztec pyramids, the Zocalo, Bellas Artes, Paseo de La Reforma and Chapultepec Park would be awesome as well. Getting to experience the food scene in Mexico City would be excellent![/QUOTE]
Using the criteria I've developed for this sort of thing:
1. Urban Form/Neighborhoods: Mexico City, easily
2. Arts/Culture: Mexico City and Washington DC are roughly tied for high culture, IMO, both are Top 10 in the world
3. Attractions/Entertainment: Mexico City, DC does well, but not quite there.
4. Safety/Comfort: Ottawa might feel the safest on a uniform basis. I don't feel too bad in any, though.
5. Traffic/Transit: 3 different answers. Mexico City easily the most expansive transit system, DC the best combination of good transit and not being overly congested in parts, and Ottawa the least trafficky.
6. Location/Day Trips: Washington DC, because NYC is 2 hrs. away, etc. Mexico City is right there behind though, and would be ahead were I not factoring in NYC and the Acela corridor for the traveler.
7. Parks/Scenery: Mexico City, easily
8. Food/Drink: Mexico City, by an absolute landslide.
9. Overall Preference: Mexico City can be an imposing place to visit, particularly to someone who hasn't traveled abroad much. And, Ottawa isn't bad, and DC might be a more important global city and on a certain level due to it's bureaucratic layout, more unique. That said, neither of them offers near as dynamic an experience to the visitor as Mexico City does IMO. There's big city attractions and vibrancy... and then there's Mexico City attractions and vibrancy.
It appears you mean the cities, not the buildings. The word "Capitol", with an "o", specifically means a governmental building.
I will change the thread title to "Capital" because I have the power to do so.
To answer your question, since I've been to DC a number of times, and hope to do so again (It's only a four-hour drive) I would next like to visit Ottawa. I've flown in and out of it but did not have enough time to explore the city.
No brainer if we are talking about walkability, culture, food, things to do for a tourist. MC is just a much larger and more dynamic city with more interesting things to see, especially for a North American tourist (NA = U.S. / Canada).
Mexico City by a landslide unless there is some specific event, monument or exhibition in DC or Ottawa. Mexico City is massive and often beautiful, teeming with life. Its museums are fantastic and there are many of them.
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