Things to Do in Queretaro Centro, Mexico Top Attractions
Start your day in the heart of the city at Queretaro's historic center. You could easily spend your experience walking along the streets of Querétaro's historic center, watching cars drive on the road, eyeing the menu of a restaurant or two.
About Carmen
I've been to Queretaro City twice & enjoyed it even more the second time! I adventured through the top things to do in Queretaro Centro as well as other parts of Queretaro state; I ate some of the best (vegan) tacos of my life, bought my very own handcrafted Maria doll from a local woman, & gazed at the dazzling display of Christmas decorations throughout the city. Click here to find out more about me & my travel history. Or you can follow me on Instagram.How far is Queretaro from Mexico City?
Need a day trip idea? You're already in Central Mexico, so perhaps you're wondering how far is Queretaro from Mexico City? Where is it located? Mexico City is about 134 miles/217 km or 160 miles/259 km away from Queretaro depending on your route. Just look at Google maps. Definitely worth a trip if you can muster it, perfect for day trips!Read my other blog posts about Mexico:
A Mini Guide to Tijuana's Breweries, Craft Beer, & Tasting Rooms
How far is Queretaro from San Miguel de Allende?
The Aqueduct / El Acueducto de Querétaro
El Cerrito Archaeological Zone (Zona Arqueológica El Cerrito)
Buy snacks & goodies from the vendors. |
Walk the Streets
There are plenty of things to do in Queretaro. The thriving city feels clean despite the hubbub of locals & travelers; you might see workers sweeping up leaves or trash at any given time. Walk around the streets of Queretaro Centro to get a feel for the landscape. Some might say people watching & strolling around are some of the best top attractions in Queretaro City.Things to do in Queretaro: Walk around the shops & restaurants |
Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas historic center feels like the heartbeat of Queretaro Centro, important, historical, interesting. It's always lively with kids playing, families walking around town, people dining, people selling dolls, t-shirts, crafts. There are water fountains, perfectly trimmed shrubs, & plenty of places to sit. Jardin Guerrero is the perfect spot to chill.Cerro de las Campanas
Peña de Bernal
Jardín Zenea (Zenea Garden)
Support Local Shops in Queretaro Centro
We walked around Queretaro de Arteaga as a family. There are so many local vendors showing off their handcrafted goods in the city center. Why not take a look while you're visiting? I bought a blue & silver hand-beaded bracelet for my mom.Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo
Things to do in Queretaro Centro: Browse the churches & missions! |
Churches & Missions
Queretaro has some exquisite churches & even some Franciscan missions. Awe at the pale yellow towers of Templo de la Congregacion de Guadalupe. Take a tour of Templo y ex-convento de la Santa Cruz de los Milagros. There's the Iglesia de Santa Rosa de Viterbo.Gorditas being made at a restaurant in Queretaro Centro, Mexico. |
Eat Everything
Best things to do in Queretaro City? Eat, eat, eat again, eat some more. Whether you're looking for places to eat a sit-down meal, the famous fresh churros con chocolate, or maybe a little snacky snack from one of the vendors (think candies, gum, mini portions of popular Mexican snacks), Queretaro Centro is a hub for foodies. Food bloggers & lovers rejoice! Bring your pesos and let's eat.Museums / Museos en Queretaro
Quertaro's museums are filled with knowledge and art waiting to be dis Find the Museo Regional in the former Convent of San Francisco; reviewers particularly love the colorful patio. There's the MUCAL Museo del Calendario. There are plenty of museos en Queretaro, take your pick! Go to the art museum. There is a lot of wonderful art around the city!Hanging out at the Queretaro Airbnb with my adorable Maria doll, made by a local woman. |
Queretaro Tourism and Social Media
Wander around and enjoy exploring the city. Queretaro's social media presence and events calendar is impressive, which I love as a social media professional. It's one of those little things that bring me joy in life. Anyway, I digress. Take a look at the Queretaro Travel website, a visitor guide for all things in the state of Queretaro.Where Should I Stay in Queretaro? Hotel? Airbnb? Does It Matter?
Airbnb Accommodations
I stayed in a Queretaro Airbnb both times I've stayed in Queretaro City since we're usually traveling with a group. In Queretaro, Mexico, it might be cheaper for a group of 5 adults & 3 kids to pitch in for an Airbnb rather than stay in 2-3 hotel rooms each night.Hotels Options Nearby
Searching for Queretaro hotels to stay in? There are plenty of options in Queretaro Centro & the surrounding area if you want to be within distance of top attractions. Take a look at some of the hotels in the area.What to Do in Queretaro with Kids
We traveled around Queretaro Centro with a five-year-old, six-year-old, 8-year-old, two 20-somethings, a 30-something, & two 50-somethings. The kids had fun trying out foods from different stands. Mexico tends to be lean on the affordable side so the kids can feel like they're princes & princesses without the adults having to burn tons of cash. Buy little toys from the vendors or shop cute jewelry, trinkets, & other gifts from other shops.Whether you're traveling by yourself, with family, friends, or on business, you'll find tasty food & interesting things to do in Queretaro, Mexico. You can do nothing & just stay inside your Queretaro hotel or Airbnb. You can spend the day hopping from museum to museum. You could do a food tour.
Do you have any questions? Leave a comment below & I'll do my best to help. I hope this was helpful. Have you explored Queretaro, Mexico? Have any recommendations on the best things to do in Queretaro City? Share your best tips or moments.
Things To Do in Playas de Tijuana, Mexico
Picture yourself eating fresh seafood in front of the ocean. Good views & good food. Enjoy the views of the beach. If you're exploring Tijuana Baja California Mexico, make a trip to the playas.
Stroll the Playas de Tijuana Boardwalk
Eat the Yummy Food
What do to in Tijuana / Playas de Tijuana
Tijuana
Things to Do in Solvang, CA: Danish Town with Food, Museums, Shopping
Feel as though you've been transported to Denmark when you visit the city of Solvang, California. There are a handful of places in the United States that look like you've traveled across the globe and Solvang is certainly one of those places. It has its charm and quaintness that makes you feel like you're either in a romance film or about to be in one. Make the trip! Whether you venture to a couple wine tasting rooms or want to learn about Danish culture, there are plenty of things to do in Solvang, California.
Solvang is a small Danish city in Santa Barbara County, California. It's nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley and often referred to as "The Danish Capital of America" or Little Denmark. Drive or stroll down Copenhagen Drive to get a feel of the Danish village. Solvang has bakeries, wineries, and just about anything you need to feel like you've teleported out of the United States for a few hours.
When you visit Solvang, CA you might see notable Danish icons such as Little Mermaid Statue Fountain, five windmills, the big red clog, as well as the Round Tower.
Did you know that the word "solvang" in Danish translates to "sunny field" in English?
Food
Food lovers will thoroughly enjoy tasting their way through Solvang, California. Find foods and Danish bakeries in abundance. It feels like you're getting a taste of Denmark with options like Danish pancakes and pastries.
There's a lot of food and Danish delights to munch on. Make sure to try Æbleskiver (Aebleskiver) which are round sphere-shaped pancake balls. The name literally translates into "apple slices."
Cafe Dolce Belgian Café Big Bopper Drive-In if you're in the mood for a 50s-style drive-in with both indoor and patio seating. Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe, Cecco Ristorante for rustic Italian cuisine, Copenhagen Sausage Garden, Mortensen’s Danish Bakery, Pho 805 for Vietnamese food, and much more. Learn more about food, restaurants, and eateries on the Solvang website!
Full List of Restaurants and Eateries in Solvang, CA
Cafe Dolce, Belgian Café, Big Bopper Drive-In, Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe, Bit O’ Denmark Restaurant, Brekkies, Cailloux, the Solvang Cheese Shop, Cecco Ristorante, Chomp Burgers, Fries and Shakes, Copenhagen Sausage Garden, Danish Mill Bakery, Domino’s Pizza, First & Oak Restaurant at the Mirabelle Inn, Fitzpatrick’s Tavern, Good Seed Coffee Boutique, Mad and Vin at the Landsby, Mortensen’s Bakery, Old Danish Food Farm/Fudge Kitchen, Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, Osteria Grappolo, Panino for sandwiches, Paula’s Pancake House, peasants FEAST, Pho 805, Ramen Kotori, Red Viking Restaurant, Silk Roads Kitchen - Mediterranean Flavors, The Solvang Bakery, Solvang Brewing Company, Solvang Restaurant, Subway, Succulent Cafe, The Coffee House by Chomp, Toscana Pizzeria, Tower Pizza, Viking Garden Restaurant, California Tacos, Leonardo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, New Frontier’s Natural Foods & Deli, River Grill Restaurant & Bar, Taco Roco, A J Spurs, Ballard Inn Restaurant, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Hitching Post II, Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe.
Wine Tasting
Downtown Solvang, California hosts around 20 wine tasting rooms for you to choose from. Santa Ynez Valley offers delicious wines, wine tastings, wine bars, as well as craft beer from Solvang, Buellton, Ballard, Los Alamos, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. There are more than 120 wineries in the vicinity. Check the events for wine tasting events in the Santa Ynez wine country. You can do a wine tasting tour by walking to a couple places!
The Oscar-winning film "Sideways," starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, and Sandra Oh, was filmed almost entirely on-location throughout Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley. Get a sample of the local Santa Ynez Valley wineries while you're in the area and head to a wine tasting room.
Solvang CA California Danish Village Novelty Souvenir T-Shirt. Shop it on Amazon.
Boutique Shopping
Exit through the gift shop! Whether you're on the hunt for a good antique at A Piece of the Past Antique and Vintage Mall or want to check out t-shirts at Copenhagen T’s & Gifts, there are plenty of shops and boutiques in Solvang Village.
Solvang has a bustling range of businesses ready for you to patronize. Shops include Book Loft, Edelweiss (collectible dolls, jewelry, and other gifts), Mole Hole, Old Danish Food Farm/Fudge Kitchen, Pavlov Art Gallery, Solvang Shoe Store, Inc. and much more. You can find a gift for everyone. Learn more on the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau website.
Museums
As you explore Solvang, CA take some time to dive into a museum or two. Whether you're into rare and vintage motorcycles or want to visit exhibits to understand more about the Danish-American spirit, you'll want to check out these museums and historical spots. You'll find that the Solvang attractions keep you interested with every turn.
Museums and things to see in Solvang:
- Bethania Lutheran Church
- Elverhoj Museum of History & Art (Elverhøj Museum of History Art)
- Hans Christian Andersen Museum
- Old Mission Santa Ines
- Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
- Wildling Museum of Art and Nature
- Mendenhall Museum
- Solvang Amber Museum - The Copenhagen House (Temporarily closed)
- Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society Museum & Parks Janeway Carriage House
Events
Depending on when you visit, there might be some fun events and things to do in Solvang, CA. There are events like Solvang Julefest, Solvang Grape Stomp, and Solvang Danish Days depending on the time of year you visit.
Dowdle Jigsaw Puzzle - Solvang Danish Village - 1000 Piece. Find it on Amazon.
Solvang Festival Theater
Support local arts at the Solvang Festival Theater, where you can see all kinds of shows, plays, musicals, and more. From June to September, Solvang Festival Theater is home to the professional theater company, PCPA. The rest of the year, it's a venue for a range of events and concerts such as the haunted house in October and the Julefest Nativity Pageant in December.
Outdoor Activities
As you traipse your way through Solvang, CA, soak in the wonderful California temperature with some outdoor activities.
Hans Christian Andersen Park
Drive through the castle arch as you enter Hans Christian Andersen Park. It feels a bit majestic filled with oak trees. Find a rock climbing wall, a little skate park, slides, a playground, and more.
When you come to Solvang, California, the immediate thought is that it's a cute little Danish town, and that it is. But it also has so much history and intrigue to discover, whether it's at the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, Solvang Festival Theater, or as you sip your way through delicious wine or pastries.
Stop by for a Danish from one of the local bakeries and walk about the town. You'll feel like you took a journey into Europe. Learn about Danish art and history at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, or as you visit Old Mission Santa Ines. There are so many things to do in Solvang to stay full and entertained as you take in the Danish architecture. What's your favorite thing to do in Solvang?
Fun Things To Do in Torrance, California
You can easily spend a full 24 hours or weekend in town, so you came to the right place if you're wondering about things to do in Torrance or how to spend 24 hours in Torrance.
12 PM - Let's eat
Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert. Eating is definitely one of the best things to do in Torrance. Grab a quick lunch. There are a ton of delectable eateries nearby for visitors to choose from. Are you craving seafood, pasta, steak, what'll it be? Torrance has a variety of international food stops like Mitsuwa Marketplace (Japanese), Habana Vieja Cuban Cuisine & Cafe (Cuban), King Mediterrano (Greek), & plenty of ramen too. There are loads of local favorite restaurants in the city of Torrance offering a mouthwatering array of options for date night, all the family, foodies, kids, and adults alike.1 PM - Enjoy nature
Enjoy the exceptional Torrance weather & stay outside. There's no shortage of soothing views and beautiful things to do in Torrance. Check out El Prado Park, Los Arboles/Rocketship Park, Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Wilson Park, Miramar Park, & more. The South Coast Botanic Garden is nearby & worth a trip. We particularly loved the Garden for the Senses section.3 PM - Quench your thirst
Torrance has a popping craft beer scene. We visited The Dudes’ Brewing Company & HopSaint Brewing. I recommend getting a flight so you can test out flavors. Get a feel for a range of a brewery's beers without committing to a whole pint. There's also Monkish Brewing, Smog City Brewing, & many, many more!5 PM - Let's go shopping
If you want to get your shop on, visit Del Amo Fashion Center. It's absolutely enormous. Fred & I may or may not have gotten lost. Okay, we totally got lost. It's that big. It's also very pretty. I've never said a mall was pretty before, but it is. I did a mini photoshoot by a full plant wall.7 PM - Dinner time
Remember when I said eating is a delightful thing to do in Torrance? It still applies. After you're done shopping, explore more of the restaurants Torrance has to offer. We enjoyed a patio dinner & drinks at Brio Coastal Bar as the sunset. Pure bliss! Or go for Great Maple right next door. Other highly rated options: Ramen Yamadaya, Curry House CoCo Ichibanya, & STACKED.8:30 PM - Play time
The night is yours. After all, you're within driving distance to many popular Southern California hot spots. Want to stay local? Browse the Torrance events to see what's happening. Watch a movie at AMC. Take an evening walk at Torrance Beach. Maybe you're tuckered out & simply want to rest in your hotel room, watching TV in bed. That's cool too!9 AM - Bake me a cake as fast as you can
Sleep in, then enjoy some freshly baked goods. Stop by Torrance Bakery. Prepare to wait in a line & make sure you get a number! Taste something different & go for the Hawaiian Paradise Three-layer cake from King’s Hawaiian Bakery — made of guava, passion, & lime chiffon cake filled with whipped cream & topped with guava, passion & lime fruit glaze. Heavenly.10 AM - Tea time
Wash down your sweets with a hot cup of tea at Chado Tea Room. We randomly stumbled upon it & thought it was too cute to pass up. We got a pot of Island of Mauritius, a black tea with a pop of vanilla, but they have a thick booklet of teas to choose from.Bee at South Coast Botanic Garden |
11 AM - Learn a lil something new
If you're interested in history, there are museums and exhibits to expand your knowledge. Got some time to spare before you head out? Spend a couple hours visiting the Chen Art Gallery, Western Museum of Flight, Torrance Art Museum, South Coast Botanic Garden, or maybe lurk around to find the film locations in Torrance. Torrance has been featured in movies like American Beauty, Bruce Almighty, & She's All That.Fun Things To Do in Torrance, California
Enjoying Life at South Coast Botanic Garden |
Things To Do at Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso, Texas
Entrance Fees
Reservations and Hours
1. Nature Watching
2. Rock Climbing
3. Camping
4. Dining
5. Hike a Trail
6. History
7. Events
8. Bring Your Pet
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