What to Do
Historic Sites and Architecture
La Valenciana Church: (1765-1788) was built by the Count of Valenciana.
Guanajuato's Silver Mines: tours of the Valenciana, Real de Santa Ana, and Mineral de la Luz mines are available to the public.
El Pipila Statue: see the revolutionary hero and enjoy a spectacular hilltop view.
Juarez Theater: (1875) one of Mexico's most impressive theaters
Museums
Alhondiga De Granaditas State Historical and Archeological Museum
Casa Museo Gene Byron
Don Quixote Iconographic Museum
Olga Costa/Chavez Morado Museum
Ex Hacienda de San Gabriel de Barrera Museum & Gardens
Mummy Museum (Museo de las Momias)
Pueblo Museum
Cultural Activities
International Cervantino Festival : The annual International Cervantino Festival spans a three-week period in October, with music, dance and theatre performances held in venues throughout the city.
Callejoneadas:
Unique to Guanajuato (and Zacatecas) are the Callejoneadas (alley performances). On Friday and Saturday nights between 8 & 9 p.m. troupes of 8 to 10 musicians (estudiantinas) dressed in 17th Century costumes, gather audiences in front of the Teatro Juarez adjacent to the Jardin de la Union. The performers lead their onlookers up through the streets and alleyways, stopping at plazitas to offer songs and skits. The performance ends at the "Alley of the Kiss". This is a nice way to get a feel for the winding alleys and colorful houses of Guanajuato.
Shopping
Local Artisans: numerous local artisans sell their products and crafts. Visit the shops of Gorky Gonzalez, Capelo, La Cruz, Mayolica Santa Rosa, Ojo de Venado, El Dije, and El Viejo Zaguan, to name a few.
Casa de Artesanias: store offering a selection of Guanajuatan crafts, and leather goods from nearby Leon.
Hidalgo Market: shoppers flock here to find baskets, embroidered dresses, pottery, jewelry, rebozos and huaraches.
Nature
Eco Tours: discover ghost towns, ruins of old mines, as well as forested landscapes and cliffs close to Guanajuato.
Santa Rosa National Reserve: this wildlife preserve lends itself to hiking, mountain biking and bird watching.
Spanish
Language Immersion programs are available throughout Guanajuato.
Español Universal is located in the center of the city, near the Teatro Principal.
Instituto Miguel de Cervantes is located nearest Casa Estrella in La Valenciana.
