Guadalajara has plenty of attractions to keep it's visitors busy other than just looking at old buildings and churches.  There is a wonderful zoo.  Connected to the zoo is a separate children's amusement park ("Selva Mágica"- shown above) with over thirty five rides and attractions for the kids, including it's own marine park with dolphin, seal shows.  Selva Mágica also has regularly scheduled shows featuring performing toucans, hawks and macaws!

There are bullfights at Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso (most Sundays, October to March), rodeos at Lienzo charro de Jalisco, every Sunday at noon.  The charros (cowboys) compete in 10 events, mariachis perform during breaks, and food and beverages are available.  You can possibly catch a professional soccer match (varied schedules) at Estadio Jalisco.  For the racers in your family there is a great go-kart track called, appropriately, Go Kartmanía featuring 4 different tracks   An abundance of modern multi-cinemas show (almost) current movies all over the city and in all of the malls.  Scattered throughout the countryside surrounding Guadalajara are numerous water parks and natural hot springs. 

There are cultural activities of different types in different venues being presented almost every day all year long.  A good place to get information and up to date schedules is the state tourism office in the historic center (Tel. 3668-1600). 

Two city parks stand out as excellent places to spend some leisure time.  Los Colomos Park is located in a forest within the city.  This park is an excellent place stroll or to get some active exercise.  Jogging and walking around the various unique areas within the park is an activity in itself.  "The Castle" is a small cultural center and there are paths that lead to other special areas including areas set aside for picnics and family outings.  The Japanese Gardens, donated by Guadalajara's sister city of Kyoto, Japan, are an incredibly peaceful sanctuary within the park.  Horseback riding is available for children of all ages, on some very mellow horses.

Parque Agua Azul, a Guadalajara tradition, is located in the southern section of the city.  This park is divided into two parts, connected by a bridge, and it is huge.  There are large green areas, a butterfly house, bird house, orchid house and various entertainment venues, some especially for the kids.  The large outdoor auditorium is known as "La Concha Acústica" where different cultural shows are preformed regularly.  There are usually local musicians performing along an area known as "Musicians Boulevard".  All in all a great place to relax and escape the city, for a while.  Adjacent to the park is the Archaeological Museum of Western México, housing exhibits of pottery and other artifacts used by the ancient peoples of the surrounding area.  A state run crafts store, which sells only high quality merchandise, is located within the park is also well worth a visit.

~ Guadalajara's Historic Center: ~

A must on any visitors list of things to do in Guadalajara is the historic center.  Guadalajara's historic center is a great place to get acquainted with some of this areas history and also an get a taste of the incredible colonial architecture that has made Guadalajara the envy of other Mexican cities.  The landscape of the historic center is dominated by the colonial cathedral.  The cathedral is a great starting point for a leisurely stroll through this city's cultural center. 

The state tourism office is located here and they will give you a free "walking tour" map of the historic center.  Another rather unique way to see the historic center and the downtown area is to hire a Calandria.  These unique horse drawn carriages offer tours and can be hired in several locations downtown and in the Historic Center.  Allow at least a half-day for exploring the historic center.

Nightlife in: Guadalajara, Mexico!

The nightlife scene in Guadalajara is lively, varied and encompasses the entire city.  There are small clubs and many of the local restaurants and bars offer nightly entertainment, much of it very high quality.  Piano bars, jazz and blues seem to be every bit as available as rock and disco.  This is not to say that the "Party Hearty" all night disco and dance establishments do not thrive in Guadalajara, because they do.  You just have more options than in most tourist centers.  Opera, ballet and theatre seem to be as common as the high energy disco and drinking establishments.  Rest assured, after the sun goes down you will have a widely varied choice of entertainment.