With breathtaking rocky landscapes, great cultural wealth, fascinating cities, and six Pueblos Magicos to discover, Querétaro is surely not short on attractions. The best way to get a first picture of the city of Querétaro and appreciate its folkloristic, traditional vibe and essence- the so-called “Queretaneidad”- is to have a stroll across its beautiful Old Town.

The Centro Histórico, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, and an attraction in itself, boasts remarkable examples of colonial Baroque and post-independence architecture from the 18th century, such as the magnificent Church of San Francisco and the annexed Museo Regional, once the convent’s cloister. Other notable landmarks in Querétaro include the Casa de la Corregidora- or the Mayor’s House- once literally called Royal Houses and Jails and today housing the government of the state of Querétaro, and the Plaza de Armas, the city’s colonial-era main square just a few steps out of the Historic Center.

Among the best historical destinations in Mexico, Querétaro is a versatile, surprising city, combining its provincial essence with a modern, cosmopolitan character. While wandering its colorful streets take a break in one of the numerous restaurants and cafes of the picturesque Plaza de los Fundadores and mingle with the locals: everyone will be glad to give you a sample of the true “Queretaneidad” and tell you more about the city’s history. The square itself is a nice site to visit and was inaugurated in 1981 to celebrate the 450th anniversary of Querétaro – La Plaza is guarded by the statues of the city’s supposed founders and is lined with good quality and affordable cafes and dining venues.

When planning your stay in Querétaro make sure to include a visit to the nearby archeological site of El Cerrito, an important vestige of the local Pre-Colombian cultures and one of the most visited archeological tourism destinations in Mexico.

Like the rest of Bajío, Querétaro enjoys a warm climate, with temperate, warm winters and very hot summers, which makes it accessible all year round. Like many other destinations in Mexico, the best period to plan your trip to Querétaro: if you are more interested in outdoorsy activities travel between early December and mid-March. The spring season is ideal to explore the amazing canyons and mountains of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve; this impressive ecological region, among the most popular destinations in Mexico and encompassing some of the country’s most impressive mountain landscapes, extends from the Northern part of Querétaro State to the neighboring states of Guanajuato, Hidalgo and San Luis Potosí but can be easily reached from the capital Querétaro in one hour drive. The lovely town of Bernal, one of the six Pueblos Mágicos in Querétaro state, is one of the most loved climbing and hiking destinations in Mexico and a great gateway to explore the rocky landscape around the imponent monolith Peña de Bernal. From there, you can also easily travel to the Pueblos Mágicos of Tequisquiapan and Amealco de Bonfil.

Querétaro counts a varied array of museums, that you can always enjoy no matter what season you visit: make sure to include in your tour the Museo de Arte de Querétaro (Querétaro Art Museum), located in the Historic Center, the Ex-Convent of San Agustín housing a rich collection of painting dating back to the New Spain era, and the Museo de la Ciudad (The City's Museum) hosted in the old Capuchin convent. An excellent way to get more insight into Querétaro’s culture is embarking on a gastronomy tour: just take a stroll through the city center’s alleys and enjoy some of the most popular local delicacies- you cannot really leave Querétaro without trying a delicious enchilada or sampling a marquesita, a mouthwatering crispy rolled-up crêpe typically stuffed with ingredients of choice!

Let Aguascalientes surprise you. One of the many eclectic destinations in Mexico, this historically and culturally rich state has a lot to offer to any kind of traveler. The eponymous state capital, whose name in English means ‘’Hot Waters”, was called after the nearby hot springs and its railroad heritage attests the important role the state played in Mexico’s industrialization. When visiting Aguascalientes you cannot skip a visit to one of its four oldest neighborhoods, Barrio de la Estación, where you can learn about the old workshops of its locomotive and take a train ride on the old railways.

Aguascalientes Cathedral, the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, surges in the Plaza de la Patria and is a true colonial architectural masterpiece, standing out in the cityscape thanks to its two iconic Neoclassical towers. While continuing your exploration of Aguascalientes, do not forget to visit the famous market Mercado Juárez, a must if you want to deep dive into the local habits: here you can browse countless stands offering typical snacks, gastronomic delicacies, and handcrafted souvenirs to keep as a memory of your holiday in Mexico.

A great option for a short daytrip from the capital is visiting the Pueblos Mágicos of Real de Asientos and Calvillo: the latter is a charming colonial town renowned for its beautiful old center, guava plantations and typical embroidery and is among the most peduliar historical destinations in Mexico. Real de Asientos, at only one hour drive from Aguascalientes and three hours from Guadalajara, is another excellent choice for a day excursion learning about the region’s history.

Thanks to its warm semi-arid climate, Aguascalientes is one of the destinations in Mexico to visit all year round, although spring months can be the best option if you want to make the most of your time outside. Some great activities to enjoy in Aguascalientes include wine tours in the many important vineyards in the region: make sure you pay a visit to the Cuatro Soles vineyard in Cosío and San Luis de las Letras former hacienda, only a few miles from the capital, where you can learn about the history of the vineyards while tasting delicious cheese and, of course, exquisite local wine. If you are an adventure seeker and enjoy nature and extreme sports, you cannot miss a visit to the compelling Parque Adventure Boca de Túnel: located just 20 minutes from the Pueblo Mágico San José Gracia, here you can zip-line through 13 hanging bridges and admire the breathtaking landscape from the heights. If you want to enjoy the landscape with quieter activities, the area offers great chances for rowboat riding, hiking, or horse riding, which makes it a great choice even for families looking for relaxing destinations in Mexico.

No matter what season you visit Aguascalientes, you will be delighted by the abundance of typical- and sometimes very unconventional! – snacks and dishes you can find here. Do not leave without trying Aguascalientes culinary hallmark, the chiquiadas, a kind of corn dough patty fried in butter and stuffed with stew- if you believe this is too much, just think chiquiadas are traditionally served for breakfast.

San Luis Potosí is among the destinations in Mexico with the richest artistic and cultural heritage. Just take a walk through its elegant Old Town and you will be amazed by the Baroque architecture of its historical buildings, so magnificent and well preserved that the historic center was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In the central Plaza de Armas you will find the imponent San Luis Potosí's Metropolitan Cathedral- also known as Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Expectación-, a Baroque masterpiece built out of pink quarry and displaying a lavishly decorated façade.

Arts lovers visiting San Luis Potosí will be enthusiastic at the abundance of museums all over the city: do not miss the Centro Nacional de Artes, a marvelous building dedicated to fine arts which used to house the most modern prison in Mexico, now hosting the Leonora Carrington Museum. The Federico Silva Museum and the Centro Cultural de Ciudad Universitaria are other mandatory stops in your city exploration.

When staying in San Luis Potosí for an extended vacation, be sure you plan a one or two-days trip to the town of Xilitla. This amazing little Pueblo Mágico hosts the Edward James Garden, one of the most impressive surrealist architectural projects ever realized combining art with the incredible nature, waterfalls, and natural pools of the Huasteca Potosina. This unique architectural jewel, also known as Las Pozas, is made of 36 surreal sculptures spread across 37 acres of tropical forest and is one of the most surprising destinations in Mexico.

Thanks to its arid, subtropical climate mitigated by altitude, San Luis Potosí is among the best destinations in Mexico to visit all year round. If you want to make the most of your time and enjoy your exploration without the mess of the touristic crowds, the best periods to plan your trip are probably from September to October and during spring, but you will easily find plenty of activities to enjoy in every season. You can easily travel to San Luis Potosí also from the bordering states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Hidalgo.

If are staying in San Luis Potosí for an extended period, make sure you pay a visit to the nearby Pueblo Mágico of Real de Catorce, only a half-hour drive from the capital. Its quaint alleys and the number of abandoned- although still beautiful- buildings made the village earn the title of Ghost Town, contributing to creating its allure of mysticism.

One excellent way to learn about every place’s culture is through its typical gastronomy. San Luis Potosí is one of the numerous gourmet destinations in Mexico and has a wide choice of specialties you will be glad to savor. Make sure you try, among the other traditional delicacies, a dish of machaca (dried beef), the typical enchiladas potosinas (corn masa and red chile stuffed with cheese, chili, and onion), el cabrito de Matehuala (goatling), and the campechanas (traditional dessert) from Santa María del Río. Mezcal is also a good way to get to know San Luis Potosí: you can take one tour of the many mezcal routes and learn about the traditional manufacturing production of the famous liquor while enjoying the tasting.

Besides its important role in the Mexican Independence, the city of Guanajuato is a lively cultural hub bustling with events and festivals, where imponent colonial buildings line harmoniously with modern colorful shops and dining venues. Travelers looking for new cultural destinations in Mexico will be delighted by the numerous museums, theaters, and venues regularly hosting performances by local and international artists. During your museum-and-theater hopping in Guanajuato, don’t forget to pay a visit to the iconic Diego Rivera's Home Museum celebrating the life and work of the great Mexican artist.

At less than one hour's drive from Guanajuato you will come across the lovely town of Irapuato, among the destinations in Mexico most loved by foodies and universally known as the 'World’s Strawberry Capital'. All over the city, you will have the chance to savor many exquisite delicacies made with strawberries: strawberries with cream, dipped in chocolate, crystallized, sweetened, with chili, “borrachitas”, in jams, in sauces, or, to appreciate their natural sweetness, fresh right from the bush- from Irapuato you can even join a strawberry tasting half-day tour and learn more about the local production. While staying in Irapuato do not forget to visit the Museo de la Ciudad (Museum of the City), once hosting the offices of the Holy Inquisition and known as the Casa de la Inquisición. The museum displays a varied collection of objects, archeological pieces, murals, and photos documenting the state and city’s history.

Guanajuato enjoys a warm and temperate climate with dry and mild winters, which positions it among the preferred destinations in Mexico to explore. Without the heavy rain of the summer season, you will have plenty of chances for entertainment: visit the Guanajuato Bicentennial Park, enjoy opera at the acclaimed Juárez Theater, and relive the stages that led Mexico to independence while wandering the capital streets. Irapuato, located at a short distance from Guanajuato, is also worth a visit, especially if you plan to stay in Guanajuato during spring or autumn: start your tour at La Fuente de los Delfines in Plaza Madero and you will soon come across the majestic Catedral o Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia, adorned by the adjacent Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower) and the Fuente de las Aguas Danzantes, a newer fountain animating the square each afternoon with a spectacular jets and lights show.

A great site to explore when staying in Irapuato is the Zona Arqueológica de Peralta (Peralta Archaeological Site), attesting to the life and traditions of the autochthone population that inhabited the area between 300 and 750 AD. And, of course, you cannot leave Irapuato and Guanajuato without taking part in at least two of the main gastronomic tours: taste the sweetness of the local strawberries in the Ruta de las Fresas and join the Ruta del Tequila to discover the true taste and origin of Mexico’s most famous liquor.