From 1934-2018, Los Pinos was the official residence and office of the President of Mexico. It…read morebegan with President Lázaro Cárdenas - a left-wing economic nationalist - who didn't want to use the Castle of Chapultepec as his residence and office. After him, thirteen of the next fourteen Presidents used Los Pinos as their residence/office, building a new building or moving into one built for a former president. In 2018, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador chose to move the presidential residence and offices to the National Palace and open Los Pinos to the public.
I visited with my Spanish class last week when I was in Mexico City. We walked around the area and entered two of the Los Pinos homes. One (Museo Casa Presidencial Lázaro Cárdenas) serves as a museum dedicated to President Lázaro Cárdenas, who remains a very popular president. I enjoyed walking around the museum and learning about him. We also walked into Complejo Cultural de Los Pinos, a former presidential home that is now being used as an art gallery and events space. On the grounds there is also a little cafe (Passmar), bathrooms, other small museums, and some shops. What I enjoyed most was just the gorgeous grounds. It was incredibly green, and I took a leisurely walk through the property, taking in the statues of Mexican Presidents and other dignitaries.
I'm not sure if many foreign tourists visit Los Pinos (it didn't seem very busy), since it's in the far corner of Section 1 of Chapultepec, but it's very accessible from the Constituyentes metro station and close to other attractions in the park or in nearby neighborhoods (Casa Estudio Luis Barragán and other Barragán properties, Museo del Cárcamo de Dolores, and more). Worth a stop if you're nearby, are interested in Mexican presidential/political history, or are looking for a pretty place to stretch your legs!