Guidebook for San Miguel de Allende
Arts & Culture
Belles Artes is an historic building with galleries and a theater. It is a very pleasant place to walk through. Hopefully you will take a walk taking off from the Jardin in front of the Parroquia on Mon, Wed and Fri about 9:45, so you can be given all the history in this and many many more buildings in Historic Centro! I highly recommend it!
76 recommandé par les habitants
Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez El Nigromante
75 Calle del Dr Ignacio Hernandez MaciasBelles Artes is an historic building with galleries and a theater. It is a very pleasant place to walk through. Hopefully you will take a walk taking off from the Jardin in front of the Parroquia on Mon, Wed and Fri about 9:45, so you can be given all the history in this and many many more buildings in Historic Centro! I highly recommend it!
If you have time, you might want to visit Atotonilco, just about 13 miles outside of SMA. The historic, small church there has been restored (the frescos) by Italian artists. The people of At. are very devout, and make pilgrimages to SMA and farther, as part of their devotions. While there, if you call ahead, you can visit the most stunning of folk art museums that I have ever seen in Mexico!
55 recommandé par les habitants
Atotonilco
If you have time, you might want to visit Atotonilco, just about 13 miles outside of SMA. The historic, small church there has been restored (the frescos) by Italian artists. The people of At. are very devout, and make pilgrimages to SMA and farther, as part of their devotions. While there, if you call ahead, you can visit the most stunning of folk art museums that I have ever seen in Mexico!
This used to be an accredited art school, you can still take art classes, often they have big arts fairs in the courtyard, there is a restaurant at the back with one of the best views and great music, found in SMA. You can check the bulletin boards for tours to Atotonilco and other nearby sites.
112 recommandé par les habitants
Instituto Allende
20 Ancha de San AntonioThis used to be an accredited art school, you can still take art classes, often they have big arts fairs in the courtyard, there is a restaurant at the back with one of the best views and great music, found in SMA. You can check the bulletin boards for tours to Atotonilco and other nearby sites.
The ticket office is located around the corner on Hernandez Macias. See what's happening while you're in SMA. Spring for the good seats or at least somewhere on the main floor or little side balconies. They are more comfortable than the higher balcony seats, but the higher balcony is less expensive.
90 recommandé par les habitants
Teatro Angela Peralta
82 MesonesThe ticket office is located around the corner on Hernandez Macias. See what's happening while you're in SMA. Spring for the good seats or at least somewhere on the main floor or little side balconies. They are more comfortable than the higher balcony seats, but the higher balcony is less expensive.
Sightseeing
Saturdays are getting married days in San Miguel. Don't miss the stunning, playful, culturally different weddings that take place for all to see...because, while the ceremony inside the church may be 'normal', the part that takes place outside, in the plaza and Jardin is often VERY fun and romantic to watch!
Meet in the Jardin, just across from the Parroquia Mon, Wed and Fri morning at 9:45 and take a walking tour. The history here is huge and colorful, and you will love it. Take a bottle of water, it's almost 2 hours. By the way, there is a charge, and every peso goes to children's charities.
295 recommandé par les habitants
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel
S/N PrincipalSaturdays are getting married days in San Miguel. Don't miss the stunning, playful, culturally different weddings that take place for all to see...because, while the ceremony inside the church may be 'normal', the part that takes place outside, in the plaza and Jardin is often VERY fun and romantic to watch!
Meet in the Jardin, just across from the Parroquia Mon, Wed and Fri morning at 9:45 and take a walking tour. The history here is huge and colorful, and you will love it. Take a bottle of water, it's almost 2 hours. By the way, there is a charge, and every peso goes to children's charities.
Visit the whole place...first, at the entrance on Insurgentes, go into the book store, buy things! And sign up for some day trips! I highly recommend to visit Tequisquiapan, a very charming little city. They also have trips to Guanajuato (5 museums), Dolores Hidalgo, Queretaro, etc. Go to all you have time for! Ask about the house tour as well. It's once a week and can be lots of fun.
BIBLIOTECA PUBLICA DE SAN MIGUEL DE
#25 InsurgentesVisit the whole place...first, at the entrance on Insurgentes, go into the book store, buy things! And sign up for some day trips! I highly recommend to visit Tequisquiapan, a very charming little city. They also have trips to Guanajuato (5 museums), Dolores Hidalgo, Queretaro, etc. Go to all you have time for! Ask about the house tour as well. It's once a week and can be lots of fun.
Parks & Nature
This is one of several hot springs with pools, lawns, changing rooms, etc. They will deliver margaritas out on the lawns for you. Best not for weekends, unless you've got the kids with you, as that's when many families enjoy the pools. Mondays are nice and relaxing.
133 recommandé par les habitants
La Gruta Spa
km 10 A Dolores HidalgoThis is one of several hot springs with pools, lawns, changing rooms, etc. They will deliver margaritas out on the lawns for you. Best not for weekends, unless you've got the kids with you, as that's when many families enjoy the pools. Mondays are nice and relaxing.
Lovely park to walk, jog, sit, people watch, and there are basket ball courts, and a nice playground under the trees. Rather like a French park. The neighborhood is gorgeous with stately homes. It all looks rather European. Have breakfast at one of the lovely hotels in the neighborhood. On weekends you'll find artists selling their paintings, and there is still an outdoor "laundry" where many indigenous women come in the evenings to wash the family laundry. Sweet scene!
208 recommandé par les habitants
Juárez Park
75 Cañadita de los AguacatesLovely park to walk, jog, sit, people watch, and there are basket ball courts, and a nice playground under the trees. Rather like a French park. The neighborhood is gorgeous with stately homes. It all looks rather European. Have breakfast at one of the lovely hotels in the neighborhood. On weekends you'll find artists selling their paintings, and there is still an outdoor "laundry" where many indigenous women come in the evenings to wash the family laundry. Sweet scene!
Everything Else
Here you can always pick up a free map and lots of brochures. I'm told that their ATM machine gives a good rate of exchange and doesn't cost as much as many of the banks. It is located on the North side of the Jardin, across the street. So opposite the side of the park with the Parroquia. This is a pedestrian only area, by the way.
Consejo Turístico de San Miguel de Allende
10 PrincipalHere you can always pick up a free map and lots of brochures. I'm told that their ATM machine gives a good rate of exchange and doesn't cost as much as many of the banks. It is located on the North side of the Jardin, across the street. So opposite the side of the park with the Parroquia. This is a pedestrian only area, by the way.
Drinks & Nightlife
The nightlife I know will always include being a restaurant, but if you are a real late night person, there are venues that mostly cater to the young, and since I am NOT, I cannot really recommend them. But I would say, to try going to the Berlin bar and restaurant on Umaran, Tapas bar and restaurant also on Umaran, Mama Mia just off the Jardin, also on Umaran, the restaraunt just next to Mama Mia...these two both have hip upstairs outdoor bars as well as the downstairs scene. Downstairs they also have huge tvs where sports events are watched, and big restaurants. Upstairs and down, may have music, and downstairs would be suitable for kids too.
On Mesones there is a theater called the Angela Peralta where you can often catch amazing musical performances, plays, etc.
54 recommandé par les habitants
Zona Centro
The nightlife I know will always include being a restaurant, but if you are a real late night person, there are venues that mostly cater to the young, and since I am NOT, I cannot really recommend them. But I would say, to try going to the Berlin bar and restaurant on Umaran, Tapas bar and restaurant also on Umaran, Mama Mia just off the Jardin, also on Umaran, the restaraunt just next to Mama Mia...these two both have hip upstairs outdoor bars as well as the downstairs scene. Downstairs they also have huge tvs where sports events are watched, and big restaurants. Upstairs and down, may have music, and downstairs would be suitable for kids too.
On Mesones there is a theater called the Angela Peralta where you can often catch amazing musical performances, plays, etc.
Okay, you can definitely eat here, (and should) but what I love is the great music. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights you can be treated to fantastic jump up and dance rock and roll, blues, jazz, etc. Don't be shy, do dance. Be the first to do it when you feel moved, and in about a minute, you will have empowered everyone else to follow. They all are aching to do it! When I click on "late nights" I don't mean after midnight, necessarily.
7 recommandé par les habitants
PAPRIKA
9 Ancha de San AntonioOkay, you can definitely eat here, (and should) but what I love is the great music. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights you can be treated to fantastic jump up and dance rock and roll, blues, jazz, etc. Don't be shy, do dance. Be the first to do it when you feel moved, and in about a minute, you will have empowered everyone else to follow. They all are aching to do it! When I click on "late nights" I don't mean after midnight, necessarily.
It's also a restaurant, and I actually like much of the food. It's copying Harry's, a New Orleans bar and restaurant. The bar is a happening place, so if you want a friendly scene to meet new people, this is one spot to do it. Just add up your tab and make sure it doesn't have any 'mistakes' on it.
16 recommandé par les habitants
Hank's EX Harry's
12 HidalgoIt's also a restaurant, and I actually like much of the food. It's copying Harry's, a New Orleans bar and restaurant. The bar is a happening place, so if you want a friendly scene to meet new people, this is one spot to do it. Just add up your tab and make sure it doesn't have any 'mistakes' on it.
Food Scene
Open for dinner: Good food and beautiful setting right in Centro. On this same street, about a block away is another favorite of mine that doesn't auto fill here. There is a paper mache mariachi in the doorway, and it is called Taco Y Tequila. Small place, so you might want to make a reservation, this is great tasting, well priced food, served by trendy cute young people...I'm just saying...And if you like baked potatoes, they do them up in their own special ways. Fabulous tacos. I just love to go there.
34 recommandé par les habitants
La Sirena Gorda
8 UmaránOpen for dinner: Good food and beautiful setting right in Centro. On this same street, about a block away is another favorite of mine that doesn't auto fill here. There is a paper mache mariachi in the doorway, and it is called Taco Y Tequila. Small place, so you might want to make a reservation, this is great tasting, well priced food, served by trendy cute young people...I'm just saying...And if you like baked potatoes, they do them up in their own special ways. Fabulous tacos. I just love to go there.
Less than a block off the Jardin, don't miss this restaurant! Nearly every day and night there's live music. Huge menu. I usually have one or two of their fantastic margaritas with an appetizer, because the meals really are too big for one person. very friendly wait staff, nice surroundings. If the music is too loud, you can go eat in the bar at the front entrance. Same menu if you ask.
48 recommandé par les habitants
Los Milagros
17 ReloxLess than a block off the Jardin, don't miss this restaurant! Nearly every day and night there's live music. Huge menu. I usually have one or two of their fantastic margaritas with an appetizer, because the meals really are too big for one person. very friendly wait staff, nice surroundings. If the music is too loud, you can go eat in the bar at the front entrance. Same menu if you ask.
One of the few vegan places around here. Nice people...I'm a carnivore, so....
22 recommandé par les habitants
Don Taco Tequila
83 Calle del Dr Ignacio Hernandez MaciasOne of the few vegan places around here. Nice people...I'm a carnivore, so....
Lovely place, everyone should hit this restaurant for lunch or dinner at least once! Ask if there's live music, sometimes on the weekends there is. Large menu, lovely courtyard with cover, great chips and salsa while you order and wait for your really good food. I find their margaritas seem a bit watered down, so enjoy a nice wine here, or beer?
134 recommandé par les habitants
Hecho En Mexico Restaurant
8 Ancha de San AntonioLovely place, everyone should hit this restaurant for lunch or dinner at least once! Ask if there's live music, sometimes on the weekends there is. Large menu, lovely courtyard with cover, great chips and salsa while you order and wait for your really good food. I find their margaritas seem a bit watered down, so enjoy a nice wine here, or beer?
Lunch and dinner, decent Italian food, nice people. For lunch they have a choice of the "fixed menu" for less than $10 usd. Two or three courses and a non alcoholic drink. They have nice wine for a good price.
VIVOLI CAFE ' & TRATTORIA
Lunch and dinner, decent Italian food, nice people. For lunch they have a choice of the "fixed menu" for less than $10 usd. Two or three courses and a non alcoholic drink. They have nice wine for a good price.
Don't miss Juan's! You can have a great breakfast or lunch here, meet new people, and buy just about any movie for a song. Juan sometimes has movies before they come out! I love their breakfasts. You can buy the Atencion newspaper here. It comes out on Fridays, costs $20 pesos and will provide a map of Centro as well as a fairly complete list of what's going on this week! It's located on Relox or Reloj across and down a bit from the entrance to the Santa Ana theater and cafe. Go there too and check out if we're having plays yet. Enjoy a breakfast or lunch at the cafe and discover if you pass thru, you will be in the famous Biblioteca! You can sign up for house tours there. Go into the book/gift store on the Insurgentes side of the Biblioteca and check out what tours they are offering! I highly recommend Tequisquiapan if you only have time for one day trip. Others could be Queretaro, and Dolores Hidalgo, and Guanajuato! All good.
Juan's Cafe at 37 Relox
ReloxDon't miss Juan's! You can have a great breakfast or lunch here, meet new people, and buy just about any movie for a song. Juan sometimes has movies before they come out! I love their breakfasts. You can buy the Atencion newspaper here. It comes out on Fridays, costs $20 pesos and will provide a map of Centro as well as a fairly complete list of what's going on this week! It's located on Relox or Reloj across and down a bit from the entrance to the Santa Ana theater and cafe. Go there too and check out if we're having plays yet. Enjoy a breakfast or lunch at the cafe and discover if you pass thru, you will be in the famous Biblioteca! You can sign up for house tours there. Go into the book/gift store on the Insurgentes side of the Biblioteca and check out what tours they are offering! I highly recommend Tequisquiapan if you only have time for one day trip. Others could be Queretaro, and Dolores Hidalgo, and Guanajuato! All good.
Entertainment & Activities
Hey, this was hard to place with just one category and type of place. This is a Library. It has a lovey cafe. There is a theater where fantastic plays, movies, talks occur. Buy a ticket for a Sunday house tour...all money goes to charity. This is a MUST visit place. They support lots of children's needs including having a computer room, children's library, and more. If you want to experience an 'intercambio', several evenings around 5pm, you can go into the courtyard and join one of the tables where locals sit and take turns speaking in English and in Spanish, for the mutual benefits in both languages.
51 recommandé par les habitants
Public Library of San Miguel de Allende, A.C.
#25 InsurgentesHey, this was hard to place with just one category and type of place. This is a Library. It has a lovey cafe. There is a theater where fantastic plays, movies, talks occur. Buy a ticket for a Sunday house tour...all money goes to charity. This is a MUST visit place. They support lots of children's needs including having a computer room, children's library, and more. If you want to experience an 'intercambio', several evenings around 5pm, you can go into the courtyard and join one of the tables where locals sit and take turns speaking in English and in Spanish, for the mutual benefits in both languages.