16 Things To Do In Guadalajara: Tasty Food, Beautiful Places And Tequila In One Place

Guadalajara embraces you like an aboriginal woman holds her son while selling “tamales” on a hectic corner of this astonishing City.

Located on western México, the “City of Roses and Fountains” really washes you with water from its numerous fountains every time you pass by; and also delights your eyes with colorful flowers you can see on every park or even on the embroider clothes, ornaments or bags for sale on the markets.

For all its historical places, museums, parks, restaurants, fast food vendors, multiple ice cream flavors, delicious elaborated and junk food, outdoor attractions and welcoming surrounding small towns, Guadalajara definitely offers plenty things to do and at a very low cost. Enjoy this selection of all the different things to do in this beautiful and diverse City you may fall in love.

  1. Visit ‘Centro Histórico De Guadalajara’

The most ancient place from the City is called the Historical Center Of Guadalajara. It’s a huge area with the most important buildings from the City: the library- temple built in 1591 called “Biblioteca Ibero Americana,” the daunting museum “Casa Museo López Portillo,” where you can find jalisco figures Jesús López Portillo y Serrano, Jesús López Portillo y Rojas y José López Portillo y Weber belongins;  the beautiful  1561 Basilica ‘Catedral Metropolitana, La Asunción de María; The Dancing Fountains; the Sacro Art Museum Of Guadalajara; The Church Hall; and lots of activities and art displays from indigenous vendors.

2.  Pass By Chapultetec

During daylight, you can visit this busy large avenue and enjoy of a very modern side of the City and the precious boulevard where ornament stands right in the middle, shows off the best artisanal products made by natives for sale. If you go by night, enjoy the best place to go for a drink or have dinner.

3. Let Tlaquepaque Zone Captivates You

It’s a touristic street located by the south of the City not very far away from Downtown. It’s perfect for a walk, full of restaurants and also fast food vendors. Right in the middle of the street, by the park, you can enjoy the ceremony Of “The Voladores From Paplanta Ritual,’ where four natives hang from long ropes clenched from a tall pole.

4.  Have Breakfast at Chia

With an extensive Mexican- American fusion menu, this one is the best place to start your day and keep your belly happy before the long walk.

5.  Enjoy Lunch At 'La Chata'

The best way to have a very local gastronomic experience of a place is visiting their most famous spots where locals enjoy their meals. This place service is really good and the food speaks for itself.

6.  Visit the Market 'San Juan Dios'

Very close to the Center, you have one of the biggest markets from this location. Right there, you can find everything you need from embroider articles to all type of jewelry. This market is open for tourists and locals and is an amazing experience just by walking on this three-floor big bazaar.

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7.  Go To Lake Chapala

“El Lago de Chapala” or “Lake Chapala” is Mexico’s largest freshwater lake and one of the main attractions from Guadalajara. It has a beautiful “Malecón” (“Pier”) with a breathtaking view of the lake, surrounded by multiple restaurants and stores for tourists. Chapala contains three small island: “La Isla de los Alacranes,” “Isla Mezcala” and “Isla Menor,” all three protected to achieve a long- term conservation of nature.

8.  'Ajijic' Will Surprise You

Fifteen minutes away from Chapala, there’s a small town called “Ajijic.” It is a colorful, arty and ecological spot where hundreds of American people reside. Ajijic has a beautiful central park; a stunning pier with a picture-perfect view of Lake Chapala and is great for an escapade to a most quiet area.

9.  Go To 'La Isla De Los Alacranes'

This small island is a protected area part of Lake Chapala. Once on Chapala’s pier, you can take a 12-minute ride on a small boat that will take to this secret paradise.  Since it’s an endangered area, natives created a restaurant and some attractions on this virgin island surrounded by carved rocks with tons of scorpion images and signs.

10.  Have some drinks at 'La Insurgente'

Right on the South of Chapultepec Avenue, you can find “La Insurgente,” a spacious terrace bar and restaurant perfect to visit at night to drink some tequila and review the whole day experience.

11.  Eat Ice creams everywhere

Why do Guadalajara locals eat so much ice cream? Well, we do not know the answer but we love the fact of finding ice cream vendors on every block. Enjoy the most surreal flavors from corn/ strawberry to jalapeño/tequila and don’t mind to stop 4 or 5 times a day. Delicious!

12.  Enjoy The Best Junk Food In The World

Dining at a fancy restaurant could be delightful but there’s nothing like experience original/ creative junk food from a place like Guadalajara. Enjoy more than 75 different types of outdoor vendors that let you living México on a bite.

13.  Try The Best Mexican 'Tortas' Ever

Walking on the north side of the Historical Center Of Guadalajara, you can find “Lonches Amparito”, a famous local business that sells delicious Mexican sandwich with several toppings and choices. A must!

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14.  Walk The City

Don’t stay walking around the same places, go deep on the city streets and explore all the possibilities to know the best from this destination.

15.  Visit Vicente Fernández’ Ranch

Take a tour from your hotel and visit Mexican Superstar ranch. See Vicente’s house and horses and if you’re lucky you could actually meet this Mariachi star in person.

16.  Learn About Tequila

There are several trips to agave plantations everywhere. Find the most affordable one and learn all the process and history of this well-known distilled beverage.