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robrt8

Jul 28, 2008, 6:05 PM

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Things to do for kids and abuelos in Guadalajara

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Hi All,
We're spending a week in Guadalajara while attending the gift/furniture shows. My parents are flying down to take the kids around.
Any suggestions? Mil thanks.

esperanza

Jul 28, 2008, 6:25 PM

Post #2 of 8 (6713 views)

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Re: [robrt8] Things to do for kids and abuelos in Guadalajara

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Right off the top of my head:

The wonderful Guadalajara zoo.
The interactive children's museum, Trompo Mágico.
A calandria (horse and carriage) ride through the Centro Histórico.
The Parque Metropolitano in Zapopan.
Playtime on the bronze chairs in front of the Hospicio Cabañas.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

robrt8

Jul 29, 2008, 5:35 PM

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Re: [esperanza] Things to do for kids and abuelos in Guadalajara

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Thanks Esperanza,
I appreciate the ideas.

Georgia

Aug 8, 2008, 7:06 AM

Post #4 of 8 (6610 views)

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Re: [robrt8] Things to do for kids and abuelos in Guadalajara

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Take the to swim with the dolphins at Selva Magica next to the Guadalajara Zoo. And Selva Magica is an amusement park with good rides, too.
Cool thing to do: take them to their favorite new cartoon movie and watch it in Spanish!
I assume you are talking about the Enart exhibit in Tlaquepaque: just take them out walking in the town square on Sunday ... lots of kids, lots of action, many street entertainers.
Take them to Esperanza's least favorite restaurant in Tlaquepaque, El Patio for the female mariachi show and dinner at 3 (make a reservation). And even though Esperanza would not agree, the food is tasty and reasonably priced.
Take them for a ride in the horse drawn carriages through the colonial part of Guadalajara.
Friday nights in Tlaquepaque is "noche de ronda" from about 6 or 7 until 9 or 10 and there is music all over the place, everyone is out walking.
Mexican children stay up LATE.

robrt8

Aug 11, 2008, 8:16 AM

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Re: [Georgia] Things to do for kids and abuelos in Guadalajara

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Thanks Georgia,
We're attending ENART as well as the Expo Mueble. Thanks for the great ideas.
I've taken the kids to movies in Spanish that they've seen in English. That's been great--helps MY Spanish.
Thanks again.

wendy devlin

Aug 12, 2008, 7:11 PM

Post #6 of 8 (6542 views)

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Re: [robrt8] Things to do for kids and abuelos in Guadalajara

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Our children enjoyed 'Mercado de Libertad', possibly because of the sheer explosion of 'stuff' on view, for sale but perhaps, also because of the exotic interesting nature of food and drinks for sale on the food "court", levels:)

That plus the street performers along the connected plazas. Yes, the museums were interesting but not competitive with any entertainment, of any kind, 'live'.

Carol_Wheeler

Aug 13, 2008, 10:14 AM

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Re: [wendy devlin] Things to do for kids and abuelos in Guadalajara

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Wendy, the Mercado Libertad has changed a lot in the past few years, and not for the better.

The stands with huaraches, basketry and weavings are largely gone, there aren't many silver, leather or ceramic handicrafts left and, sadly, people say that much of the clothing, electronic equipment and software for sale is either pirate or stolen.

My neighbors -- young men in college -- won't go there alone. I went last year with my 23 year old son, and he doesn't believe it's safe either.

Too bad. As you and I remember it, it used to be so much fun.

wendy devlin

Aug 14, 2008, 12:32 PM

Post #8 of 8 (6486 views)

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Re: [Carol_Wheeler] Things to do for kids and abuelos in Guadalajara

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While visiting Guadalajara, a few months ago, didn't visit the Mercado as in the past so it could very well have changed. A few years back visited the Plaza de Los Mariachis located near the Mercado for the first time.

That night, the place was so seedy, and the quality of the mariachi music so poor, found myself wondering how come the place was in all the tourist literature.
Especially when there are so many other venues to hear excellent mariachis.

So cancel the Mercado visit and substitute the street market in Tonala on Thursday and Sundays. Mornings to around 6:00 p.m.

Several streets involved, with tons of crafts and manufactured goods ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. Craft tallers to visit and some great street food(look for the busiest sit-down places).

Or at least I enjoyed staying in that part of the city, both upon arrival and departure, four weeks later.