Things to Do in Guadalajara Jalisco

Aureliano Zapata: sxc.hu

The capital city of the state of Jalisco, Guadalajara is Mexico's second largest city and a growing draw as a tourist destination. Easily accessed via a main highway from Mexico City, Guadalajara is also close to resort areas such as Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. Located Founded in 1531, Guadalajara offers visitors a rich cultural tapestry to explore through colonial, revolutionary and modern sights.

Parque Agua Azul

Explore Parque Agua Azul, one of Guadalajara's larger parks and very popular with residents. Located close to downtown Guadalajara, this 40 acre park offers rolling lawns and gardens to stroll through, over 1400 trees to picnic and snooze under, an outdoor bandshell where live music, theater and movies are screened, and a greenhouse devoted solely to orchids. Educational opportunities include guided ecological tours, workshops and plays as well as eco-related media presentations. Of special note is the bird and butterfly aviaries, each with its own tunnel that visitors can use to observe our flying friends.

Parque Agua Azul
Calzada Independencia Sur #973
Guadalajara, Mexico
011 (+33) 3619 0328
guadalajaraparks.udg.mx

Futbol

Watch one of Mexico's storied soccer clubs play a match. By far, futbol is Mexico's most popular sport. Viewing a match in a huge stadium packed with screaming, passionate fans can be a memorable experience. Of the three professional teams that play in the state of Jalisco, Club Deportivo Guadalajara is the most famous. Playing in the Primera Division, the top flight of Mexican Soccer, Guadalajara is one of only two teams that has never been relegated to the second division. Nicknamed Las Chivas, the goats, the team is the only team in the league to field exclusively Mexican-born players.

CD Guadalajara Official Website
chivascampeon.com

Walking Tour

There is no reason to take a tour in a stuffy bus that zooms by at mach five when visitors can take a walking tour of the historical areas of town for free. Combining the best historical sights with a bit of exercise, walking tours allow visitors to learn more thanks to a slower pace. Each Saturday morning and afternoon, by the tourist information booth in Plaza Ayuntamiento, three hour tours are given that explore the city's colonial churches, monuments and buildings. Those requiring an English speaking guide should call an hour beforehand to request a guide.

Historic Guadalajara Tours
Ayuntamiento de Guadalajara
Plaza Mayor 719001
Guadalajara, Mexico
011 (+33) 3615-1182
guadalajara.es

Article Written By Mike Biscoe

Mike Biscoe has been writing since 2009. Focusing on travel, sports and entertainment topics, he has credits in various online publications including LIVESTRONG.COM and Trails. He often writes articles covering uncommon travel destinations from firsthand experience. Biscoe holds a Certificate of Completion in acting from the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...