Whether you're visiting for the day or planning a longer holiday, it's important to know what to see and do in Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco. The city's historic center is dotted with colonial plazas, neoclassical buildings, and famous murals by José Clemente Orozco.
Bosque Colomos
Located in Guadalajara, the Bosque Los Colomos has been a part of the city's history since 1900. This park is a great place to go for picnics or just to walk around. There are a number of things you can do while you're here.
The park offers a Japanese garden. This garden is a wonderful place to walk around and check out the different plants. It's also consistently maintained.
The Bosque Los Colomos is home to a number of nocturnal animals. There are 15 reptiles and 141 birds in the park. The aviary features local birds and hosts a variety of events.
There are trails throughout the park. You can choose from two 3 km running tracks or four 2.3 km walking tracks. The park also has horse rides. If you want to learn more about the history of the park, you can do an interpretative tour.
The castle was originally built as an administrative building. Later on, it became a culture center. You can take classes in art, attend conferences, or watch movies. The castle is currently undergoing remodeling.
The park also provides horse rides and a picnic area. You can find parking at all three entrances. The park also offers internet access and is open from 6:00 to 20:00.
The park also has a cultural center. The cultural center offers classes for adults and children. They also host concerts, conferences, and theater productions.
Arch of Guadalajara
Located near the La Minerva square in Guadalajara, the Arch of Guadalajara is the old entrance into the city. It is a symbol of Guadalajara and has served as the city's landmark for centuries.
During the Mexican War of Independence, Miguel Hidalgo set up headquarters in Guadalajara. His efforts contributed to the growth of the city and it became known as the Silicon Valley of Mexico. Today, it is one of the largest cities in Mexico. It is known as the cultural center of the country.
The city is filled with world-class architecture. It is also the home of many artists. Some of the most famous artists to come from the city include Guillermo del Toro, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
The city also has a number of museums and galleries. The Museo de las Artes Universidad de Guadalajara is home to paintings by Mexican artists, including those by Jose Clemente Orozco. The cathedral is considered one of the most famous landmarks in the city and it was constructed in the 16th and 17th century.
The cathedral is home to a pipe organ and stained glass of the Last Supper. Its neo-Gothic towers are distinctive and it is the centerpiece of the historic center.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary is a landmark in the city and it was built between the 16th and 17th century. Its main staircase is adorned with a mural painted by Jose Clemente Orozco.
Artisan Villages of Tonala and Tlaquepaque
Located in the Guadalajara region, the Artisan Villages of Tonala and Tlaquepaque in Guadalajara are two towns with a long tradition of making fine art and handicrafts. They are also home to some of the most beautiful colonial buildings in Mexico.
Tonala was already an arts and crafts center when the Spanish arrived in 1530. The village is now known for its pottery and woodcarvings. In addition, it is home to hundreds of family-run businesses that produce ceramics, papier-mache, and glassware.
Tonala's market is a lively and cheap place to buy crafts. Every Thursday and Sunday, it fills the streets with stalls packed to the rafters with goods. The twice-weekly markets are the best places to find bargains.
In addition to being a craft village, Tonala has a central plaza and a church. The plaza is surrounded by a series of handsome old buildings. The plaza is also a popular meeting place for dance troupes and mariachis. The town hall, Palacio Municipal, has a beautiful mural inside.
The Mercado Libertad is a sprawling building with dozens of food stalls and spice stalls. It is a great place to eat lunch or try tropical cocktails. There is also a courtyard filled with noisy birdcages.
The town is home to 400 craftspeople, and they are responsible for a wide range of handicrafts, including pottery, embroidered cloth, and leather. The workshops are open to the public, so you can see how they make these items.
El Puesto Ambulante
Located in the Santa Teresita neighborhood of Guadalajara, this is one of the best breweries in the city. The beer is served in a comfortable taproom. They also offer a variety of beers, including a toasted tequila barrel-aged Berliner weisse.
If you want to experience a great craft beer and have an excellent meal at the same time, then El Puesto Ambulante is the place to go. It is known for its charming ambiance and democratic prices. The staff is professional and friendly, and the food is delicious.
The city of Guadalajara has a wealth of architectural treasures. One of the most impressive is the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres, which honors dozens of famous Jalisco residents. The rotunda is supported by seventeen columns, and it features urns with the names of some of these illustrious individuals. The gazebo was purchased by a former Mexican president in 1910, and it was used as a commemoration of the independence war.
Another impressive building is the Mercado Libertad - San Juan de Dios, which is the largest indoor market in Latin America. The marketplace is filled with shops and stalls selling a wide variety of handmade crafts. There are plenty of local and seasonal fruits and vegetables on sale, as well as a few tasty dishes. The Mercado has three floors, and there are around 3,000 shops to browse.
You may also want to check out the Patan Ale House, which has a lovely rooftop terrace. You can taste 15 local craft beers on draft or in bottles.
Cultural Institute Cabanas
Located in the heart of Guadalajara, the Cabanas Cultural Institute is a neoclassical building originally used as a hospital and orphanage. It was renovated in the 1970s, and converted into a center for culture and art. Today, the Cabanas building is one of the most important pieces of architecture in Mexico. It contains a large collection of Jose Clemente Orozco's artwork, as well as works by other Mexican artists.
The Instituto Cultural de Cabanas was first opened as a shelter for the poor in 1810, and it remains an active institution to this day. It has been designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1997. It also features murals by Mexican artist Jose Clemente Orozco.
The Instituto Cabanas is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm. Entry costs 70 Mexican pesos for adults, and 20 pesos for children. It is closed on Mondays.
The Cabanas Cultural Institute has a number of art galleries that are open throughout the year. These include galleries containing works by Jose Clemente Orozco, as well as works by other Mexican artists. The museum also features the estate of painter Roberto Montenegro.
Jose Clemente Orozco's murals at the Instituto Cultural de Cabanas are powerful, powerful works of art. They depict scenes of pre-Hispanic Jalisco, as well as images of modern life. They express the deepest universal aspects of human being.
Street art
Located in Jalisco, Guadalajara is one of Mexico's largest cities. It is also a city of culture, history, and art. During your stay, you can explore the city's many distinct neighborhoods. Some of the places to visit include the Governor's Palace, which is now a museum, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Governor's Palace mural features a depiction of Father Miguel Hidalgo, the priest who led the Mexican Revolution. The mural also includes an image of a torch, the symbol of the Mexican flag.
Another street art masterpiece is a stencil at the US Consulate. The stencil is a reference to Donald Trump's zero tolerance immigration policy, which separated Mexican families.
Several government buildings are covered with murals. The murals are part of the 'Mexican Muralism' movement, which began in the 1920s. The most famous mural is the 'Man of Fire', which features a central figure holding a torch.
There are many other great things to see and do while in Guadalajara. I would recommend taking a tour with a guide like Karen Gonzalez. Her one-hour tour is perfect for sampling the best of Colonia Americana. The tour will take you to some of the city's coolest spots, such as a hundred coffee shops, art galleries, and cool bars. It is a fun way to get to know the culture of the area and learn more about the street art that surrounds it.
