Day 1 – Tlaquepaque
Morning: Artisan Welcome
During an intense and fascinating weekend, this Guadalajara travel guide invites you to explore its history in the present: authentic, challenging, and constantly reinventing itself in Jalisco.
We begin this trip to Guadalajara by exploring the Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) of Tlaquepaque, just a few minutes from the city center. This place has a distinct identity that has stood the test of time. Founded by indigenous Tonaltecas, it flourished during the colonial era as an important center for pottery and artisanal trade. Its name comes from the Nahuatl word Tlacapan, meaning “place on clay hills.”
A cradle of ceramists, Tlaquepaque’s legacy lives on in workshops like Paco Padilla’s, where art is experienced, smelled, and molded by hand. Paco drew inspiration from family tradition to elevate his pottery into an artistic language. Today, his workshop in a mansion on Prisciliano Sánchez Street is a sanctuary where each piece tells a story. His other passion, music, resonates among the clay.
Afterwards, take a stroll through the cobblestone streets of Tlaquepaque. Walk among viceregal facades and art studios, such as those of Sergio Bustamante and Rodo Padilla, until you reach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Solitude. This 19th-century church, sculpted from pink quarry stone in Baroque, Neoclassical, and Neo-Gothic styles, stands as a living testament to the religious and artistic soul of this Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town).
Afternoon: Heavenly Food and Mexican Cacao
The afternoon continues with a toast at Bobok Bebidas Ancestrales, a collection that pays homage to the pre-Hispanic roots of corn, cacao, and seasonal fruits. The menu is a journey through Mexico, ranging from pozol with cacao, corn, and piloncillo to tascalate, a blend from Chiapas. There’s xochistle with a hint of achiote; Chilatole, a corn, chili, and honey-based dish, or the classic hot chocolate with a peyote (not hallucinogenic, but delicious).
Then you can head to Casa Luna, where the food is an experience in itself. With bougainvillea-covered ceilings, baroque mirrors, and a Mexican fairytale-like atmosphere, this restaurant offers a traditional Jalisco menu: beef tongue in pasilla chili sauce, chicken in cinnamon mole, and beef molcajetes. All in generous portions and surrounded by beauty.
After the feast, the afternoon culminates with a sweet and sophisticated experience at Cristina Taylor’s chocolate shop. More like a laboratory than a store, this establishment pays homage to Mexican cacao through unexpected combinations, fine chocolate-making techniques, and local products to create unique pieces; from chocolates filled with mezcal or fleur de sel, to bars with chili, lavender, or high-altitude coffee.
At night: Fine dining in the Colonia Americana
What else to do in Guadalajara? Back in the city center, after a brief rest at the modern AC Marriott hotel, the evening can continue at Pímu, a culinary oasis in the vibrant Colonia Americana neighborhood that enriches any getaway to Jalisco’s capital. Under the direction of chef Luis Antonio Miranda, this restaurant offers contemporary Mexican cuisine in a minimalist setting inspired by the tranquility of a Purépecha palm tree.
Must-try options include the Chapala tostada with marlin and charales, the northern octopus and chorizo panucho from Valladolid, and the quesillo tamale with pork belly and black mole. For dessert, the tres leches panqué with mamey is a gem. Pímu also offers creative cocktails, Mexican spirits, and a five-course omakase experience that turns dinner into a journey through the flavors of Mexico.
Day 2 – Guadalajara Culture and Flavor
Morning: A Local Deli and Modern Art
More ideas for things to do in Guadalajara! You can start your second day with a bang at Alonsitos, next to the Juárez Market. This spot impresses with hearty breakfasts like the bacon breakfast sandwich, with potato bread, a fried egg, American cheese, and güero chile aioli; or the chilaquiles enchicharronados, with egg any style and a generous green sauce with pressed pork rinds, in a retro gourmet Jalisco-style setting.
Afterward, a visit to the Plataforma Museum connects you with Guadalajara’s art scene. This former 1970s funeral home, renovated by architect Sergio Ortiz, preserves its original structure while offering exhibitions, a permanent collection of Suro ceramics, and residencies for emerging artists. They host workshops, lectures, and events on their rooftop for those seeking inspiration on their trip to Guadalajara.
Afternoon: Breathing Walls and Gastronomy
The afternoon continues with more to do at an icon of Mexican architecture: the ITESO Clavijero House, designed by master architect Luis Barragán. This residence in the Americana neighborhood of Guadalajara is a living example of how light, color, and geometry can create a space for introspection and harmony. Today, as a cultural center, it offers exhibitions and activities that honor the legacy of the renowned architect and his influence on the aesthetics of Jalisco.
For food, Octo is a culinary temple located in a 1960s mansion in the Lafayette neighborhood, winner of the 2023 Prix Versailles for its innovative architecture. Designed by Herre Arquitectos, the restaurant dazzles with brick walls, retractable roofs, and Talavera tile details. Here, chef Óscar Garza offers cuisine from both land and sea: tuna tiradito, mussels in wine, crab trotter aguachile, and pork ribs with morita chile.
At Night: Cantinas and Urban Lights
As night falls, a cantina tour through the Colonia Americana neighborhood is perfect for those looking for things to do in Guadalajara and wanting to experience the city like a local. It begins with De la O cantina, where Mexican ferments like pulque and tepache are served in creative cocktails; it continues with Farmacia Rita Pérez and its pharmacy-cum-bar, famous for its remedies like the Menjurje de Resurrección (raicilla, agave distillate, plantain cordial, and coconut water); and ends at Cercería Loba, a boldly designed gastropub.
Day 3 – Brunch and Futuristic Farewell
Morning: Signature Coffee and Interactive Art
The final day of this Guadalajara getaway begins at the acclaimed PalReal café, a specialist in Guadalajara breakfasts since its opening in 2013. Known for its specialty coffee, chilaquiles, and artisanal bakery, this space blends flavor with a cozy and cosmopolitan design. Its menu highlights include chilaquiles rojos (considered the best in the city) and pancita sandwiches.
Afternoon: Immersive Technology and Jalisco Pride
The search for things to do in Guadalajara takes on a futuristic twist with a visit to JAPI (Jalisco Interactive Walk), a museum that has transformed the former Magic Top into an immersive space where art, technology, and nature converge. With more than 90 exhibits, its attractions include Werika, a unique flying theater in Latin America that allows you to “fly over” the state’s landscapes in robotic chairs, a historical tour of Lake Chapala, and an interactive exploration of the mountain cloud forest.
Guadalajara, the city that vibrates with Mexican soul
Ready to plan your trip? Now that you know what to do in Guadalajara and its surroundings, get ready for a sensorial journey through the best of Guadalajara’s art, flavor, history, and innovation. Whether you’re looking for something to do for your first time or want to rediscover it with fresh eyes, this itinerary demonstrates why the capital of Jalisco is the creative epicenter of western Mexico.
Source: foodandtravel
