Guadalajara (Jalisco)
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| THEIR FAIR LADY: Guadalajara's cathedral and main plaza (Bruce Herman/courtesy, Mexico Tourism) |
Mexico's second-largest city is open and friendly, and surprisingly easy to manage. Its colonial center extends nearly a kilometer, book-ended by a gorgeous cathedral and the Instituto Cultural Cabañas, an orphanage-turned-museum that's one of the country's best. The enclaves of Tlaquepaque and Tonalá—both a short cab ride away—are home to generations of artisans who produce folk art of every sort, some of it truly exquisite. Mariachi and tequila, those quintessential Mexican-isms, were both born here too; go to their sources at Plaza de los Mariachis or on a distillery tour in the nearby town of Tequila.
Inside Tip: The municipal band—a few musicians on clarinet, trumpet, tuba—gives a free concert in the Plaza de Armas most Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings.
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