Things to do with kids in Guadalajara

Things to do with kids in Guadalajara

1. See

   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

2. Eat

   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

3. See

   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

4. See

   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

5. See

   Guadalajara Zoo

   Zoológico Guadalajara

   The modern Guadalajara Zoo is next to the Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos. It's worth visiting for its view of the canyon, and for its collection of animals, its safari ride, aerial cable cars, and its panoramic train. Other highlights include a reptile house, an arctic habitat, a nocturnal environment exhibit and a tropical forest simulated environment. Special packages available for different combinations of access to panoramic train, safari, aerial cable cars, and/or aquarium

   Wed-Sun 10:00-18:00 when school is in session, daily 10:00-18:00 during summer break and on holiday weekends·varies by packet, M$200-400 (Nov 2024)

6. Do Not mapped

   Christmas

   Navidad

   A Tapatío Christmas tradition that you may witness if you're in Guadalajara over the holidays is known as "Las Posadas" (The Inns). Children parade through the neighborhood recreating the passage of Joseph and Mary through Bethlehem, asking for shelter and being refused. Generally nowadays this is a celebration for family and friends, but if you know a Mexican, it's a great way to experience Mexican culture firsthand. Regular appearances include piñatas, mariachi bands, Mexican beer, tequila and general merriment.

7. See

   Trompo Mágico Museum

   Interactive kids museum.

   Tue-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat Sun 11:00-19:00, closed Mon

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Guadalajara (CC BY-SA 4.0).