Guadalajara

Almacén del Bife

"Beer and wine, our passion" (in translation) is the motto of this Argentinian restaurant in Plaza Andares. In addition, a wide selection of chicken dishes, pastas and a daily seafood special are offered.

Daily 13:00-00:00·M$120-800

Atlas Country Club

One of the best courses in Guadalajara is an 18-hole course designed by Joe Finger. Caddies are required and visitor greens fees often include the caddie service.

Mon-Fri 07:00 - 21:00, but check weekend hours, which may be much shorter

Bar Américas

Popular techno nightclub that doesn't really get rolling until after 2am. Young, trendy crowd.

Thu-Mon 12:00 - 07:00, Wed 20:00 - 00:00

Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan

This basilica whose construction began in 1689 is especially popular because it preserves a wooden Virgin relic that came from Spain in the 16th century, and which is tied to a visitation by the Virgin herself with the intent of getting the indigenous people to lay down their weapons in the process of Spanish colonization. On October 12 a pilgrimage that includes up to a million people travels from the Cathedral of Guadalajara to this Basilica, where a mass is held and people celebrate with music, food and fireworks.

Belén Cemetery

Panteón de Belén

This old cemetery dates back to 1786. It has been converted into a museum that is full of interesting stories of cemetery hauntings and Tapatío culture in general. There are also night tours Th-Sa that many people are afraid to take! Photos and videos for a fee. Tours are offered.

Tours Tue-Sat 10:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 14:00, Thu-Sat also at 20:30, 22:00 and 23:30

Birrería Las Nueve Esquinas

Well known for its lamb birria, a specialty of Jalisco, this popular place is in an old part of the Centro Histórico called "Las Nueve Esquinas" (Nine Corners), for its unusual street layout.

Mon-Sat 09:00-22:00, Sun 09:00-19:30

Blue Water Park

Parque Agua Azul

Open air concerts, a butterfly enclosure, an aviary and plenty of greenery are some of the things that can be enjoyed at Agua Azul. This is a good place to take a break from the often dry, dusty and crowded environment of the city. The park houses a museum of paleontology, and there is a museum of regional archaeology just across Calzada Independencia. The 1.5 km from the Centro Histórico to the park is quite walkable, but it is also accessible via the 62A and 62D buses along Calzada Independencia.

Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00

Bruna

Contemporary upscale restaurant serving nouveau Mexican cuisine in an elegant dining room overlooking a sculpture garden that is part of the art gallery housed in the same building. Reservations suggested as this is one of the city's top restaurants.

Daily 14:00 - 00:00·M$300

Cabañas Cultural Institute

Instituto Cultural Cabañas

This UNESCO World Heritage Site east of Plaza de la Liberación is a cultural and art center where the fresco paintings of Jose Clemente Orozco are exhibited.

Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00·M$80; teachers, students, and seniors $60 ($30 with valid ID, kids 6-12 also), free entry on Tuesdays; camera fee $30, video fee $40; Guillermo del Toro Cinema $30, teachers, students and seniors $25

Casa Bariachi

Upscale restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine including grilled meats and regional specialties. Elegant dining room with live music provided by roving mariachis.

Daily 13:00 - 03:00·M$500

Centro Cultural El Refugio

This building built in 1885 to be a psychiatric hospital now hosts cultural events and the Pantaleón Panduro, or display of winners from the National Ceramics Contest.

Mon-Fri 09:00-15:00

Centro Magno

Located between Avenidas Vallarta and López Cotilla, the Centro Magno has a big, wide, closed space in the middle, surrounded mostly by restaurants, fashion, electronics and bazaar stores, with a cinema on the top floor. It's served directly by bus routes 629A and 629B, and routes 626, 622, 24, 258 and 101 are also nearby.

Cerveceria Loba

Taproom and craft brewery producing several styles of both ales and lagers with stouts, IPAs, goses, and more.

Mon-Sat 14:00 - 01:00, closed Sun

Chapalita Roundabout

Glorieta Chapalita

A verdant gathering place in a lovely neighborhood (colonia) in the suburb of Zapopan, this "garden of art" sees local artists showing off their creations every Sunday while local residents show off their dogs. Raucous celebrations take place here on national holidays.

Chop

Lovely deli midway between Chapultepec and Minerva and owned by a local chain of coffeehouses. Salads, sandwiches and wraps, paninis, calzone and pizza are on the menu, as well as a large selection of breakfasts served daily. Kids' menu.

Sun-Thu 08:00-00:00, Fri Sat 08:00-01:00

City Museum

Museo de la Ciudad

Exploring Guadalajara's over 450 years of history, the Museo de la Ciudad is situated in a former convent in the Centro Histórico that dates to the 18th century. The museum's permanent collection is housed in six exhibition halls arranged chronologically according to century (16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st) and comprises artifacts and explanatory tests related to the history of Guadalajara in terms of art and architecture, ethnography, urban development, and the everyday life of Tapatíos. Temporary exhibits are also displayed, and lectures, workshops and symposia often take place in the auditorium and outdoor courtyard.

Tue-Sat 10:00-17:30, Sun 10:00-14:30·M$20, teachers and students $10, free for children under 12 and Su

Club de Golf Santa Anita

Classic 18-hole course with hills, long fairways, and a challenging final 4 holes. Facilities include a driving range, putting greens, a pro shop, a clubhouse with an upscale dining room, and outdoor patios to relax with a drink, enjoying the scenery.

Tue-Sun 11:00 - 19:00, closed Mon

Colomos Forest

Bosque Los Colomos

This lovely, family-friendly green space is a 92-hectare urban forest that boasts 30,000 trees of diverse species. Its mission is to conserve a beautiful example of a native woodland in an urban environment and educate visitors on ways for humans to better coexist with nature. In terms of visitor amenities, Colomos boasts lovely gardens including a Japanese garden and a cactus garden, goldfish ponds where children enjoy feeding the fish, and horseback riding. Smoking is strictly prohibited.

Mon-Fri 09:00-15:00

El Cielo Country Club

Affordable greens fees combined with challenging elevation drops and spectacular scenery with backgrounds of the city skyline and the nearby mountain ranges make this one of the most popular courses for visiting golfers.

Tue-Sun 07:00 - 19:00, closed Mon

El Parián

This central square of Tlaquepaque's historic downtown boasts several restaurants with a bandstand in the center. It's a nice place to sit and have a drink or enjoy a meal, with numerous mariachis who will play for you for a small fee and also public performances that begin at 21:30. Gourmets will appreciate the recommendation of El Parian in the 2024 Michelin Guide.

El Primer Piso

A lively and fun jazz bar with good music, good food and a red upholstered ceiling are trademarks.

Tue-Sat 19:30-01:00

El Sacromonte

The food here is traditional Mexican served a little more artfully for a more well-off clientele. Subdued, violin-centered mariachis play here in the early afternoon.

Mon-Sat 13:30-00:00, Sun 13:30-18:00

El Vegano Urbano

It looks and tastes like actual meat, but it's vegan. Served are delicious tacos for M$15, gringas, hamburgers and more. Tasty sauces that you can add by yourself.

Mon-Sat 19:00-22:30

Estadio Akron

formerly Estadio Omnilife

This is the stadium where most of the outdoor events for the 2011 Pan-American Games were held, and—more importantly—where the most popular football team in the city and the whole country. The stadium's home team, Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas), has played since 2010. Chivas plays here every other Saturday at 19:00, unless otherwise specified. If you happen to be in Guadalajara on a Saturday, you are most likely to find either a Chivas football game in this stadium, or an Atlas game at Estadio Jalisco (below). Big games to watch out are Chivas vs. Atlas (which can be held in either stadiums depending on which one is scheduled as the home team) and Chivas vs. América—the "National Superclassic" (superclásico nacional)—as these teams are bitter rivals. Either of these match-ups are sure to sell out the stadium and treat those lucky enough to get tickets to an intense atmosphere. Estadio Akron is a difficult place to reach by public transport. It is close to the Periférico Oriente, so taking a taxi is the best option. Alternatively, use any bus that will go around Periférico and you'll eventually get there, just ask the driver to let you know when you are there, since the stadium's visibility from Periférico is very limited. Two museums inside Estadio Akron should not be missed. Museo Chivas is a soccer museum focused on the stadium's home team, Chivas, who are widely regarded as the most popular football team in Mexico. The museum chronicles the team's long history, with bios, statistics, and outstanding achievements of its players. The second museum is Jose Vergara Museo, known as JOVEM. This museum has nothing to do with soccer, making it an unlikely resident of the stadium. It is a design museum, focusing on the intersection of art and architecture. Guides are available to walk through the museum with you, explaining humanistic values comprising design elements.

Estadio Jalisco

Jalisco Stadium

It's in Colonia Independencia, and can be reached by taking any bus along the Calzada Independencia and asking for the Estadio Jalisco. You will almost definitely see it if you look out, it will be on your left as you come from the center. Here the football team Atlas plays. Chivas used to play on this stadium until 2010, when Estadio Akron was completed. During the season there are league games every other Saturday. If Atlas is playing as a visitor, then you can look for a Chivas game at Estadio Akron. A big game to watch out for is Atlas vs. Chivas, which has an incredible atmosphere, though most games are worth experiencing. If you are of a nervous disposition, perhaps avoid the upper stands when there is a large crowd as it's known to shake when the crowds begin to jump.

Estadio Los Charros de Jalisco

Estadio Panamericano

Modern, state-of-the-art baseball stadium that is home field for both the Charros de Jalisco (Pacific League, winter) and the Mariachis de Guadalajara (Mexican League, summer). The stadium is modern with unobstructed sight lines. Small, intimate park seating just 8,000 fans. Very clean and comfortable. Beware: Inconvenient, fan-hostile payment policies. The stadium requires you to buy their own payment card and use it for any purchases in the stadium (though credit cards are accepted for ticket purchase). The stadium is also difficult to reach as there is no parking and nearby access roads are blocked on game days. Take public transit, taxis, or Ubers and don't be surprised if they drop you off in an oddly uninviting neighborhood.

Estadio Tres de Marzo

March 3rd Stadium

The Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara's football stadium in the north of the city, where "Los Estudiantes" play, is named for the date of the founding of the university in 1935. The Estudiantes play in the Primera Liga along with the other Guadalajara teams, Atlas and Chivas.

Expo Guadalajara

Largest event venue in Mexico. Hosts major industrial trade shows throughout the year.

Filharmonica de Jalisco

Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra

One of Mexico's top professional orchestras, the Jalisco Philharmonic celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015. The orchestra performs three full seasons of classical music from January to December each year under the direction of Jose Luis Castillo. The orchestra frequently tours abroad. The concert hall is a showcase of opulence that will be appreciated by students of music, architecture, and history.

Fonda Doña Gabina Escolástica

Traditional regional Mexican restaurant. Recommended by the Michelin Guide whose editors particularly recommend the tostada de pata. Other house specialties include pozole and enchiladas. Large portions, affordable prices.

Daily 14:00 - 22:30·M$200