Heroic Children's Park

Heroic Children's Park (Parque Niños Héroes) is on Av. Alfonso Reyes, about 4 km (2.5 mi.) n. of downtown and just s. of Nuevo León State University. It was named in honor of the young cadets who defended Mexico City's Chapultepec Castle from U.S. forces during the Mexican-American War; they committed suicide by leaping from the castle battlements rather than surrendering.

This large, fenced-in recreational complex is family oriented and one of the best places in the city to go for outdoor activities. There are playgrounds, plenty of picnic areas, several adjoining man-made ponds stocked for fishing and an athletic area for jogging and track events.

Also within the park are botanical gardens; an aviary; a baseball stadium; a museum of automobiles; the Museum of Fauna and Natural Sciences (Museo de la Fauna y Ciencias Naturales), with numerous animal displays; and the Nuevo León Art Gallery (Pinacoteca de Nuevo León), which surveys the state's artistic heritage. The facilities are scattered throughout the extensive park grounds, connected by tree-shaded paths.

Food is available.