Things to do in Durango
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Aventura Pantera
It is run by Walter Bishop Velarde, a former Durango rancher who was one of the pioneers of Mexican ecotourism in the early ’90s and has vast knowledge and experience of northern Mexico. English-speaking guides lead exciting trekking, bird-watching, mountain- biking and camping trips into the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains, the Zona del Silencio and elsewhere. Most trips cost around M$1300 per person per day and require at least eight participants, though guaranteed-date trips (listed on the website) go with any number of people.
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Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas is one of the loveliest in this region, filled with fountains and flowers, and not a modern-looking building in site. The large band shell (the municipal band plays Thursdays at 18:00) has an artesanía shop below the stage. One of the reasons it's so pleasant to while away time in the plaza is the view of the impressive baroque facade of the Catedral Basílica Menor.
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Museo Regional de Durango
The Museo Regional de Durango, in a palatial, French-style, 19th-century mansion, has thorough displays on Durango state history, from early indigenous settlements to the 20th century. It includes special exhibits on Pancho Villa and the impressive array of minerals found in Durango. Most explanations are in English as well as Spanish.
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Restaurant Playa Azul
Fish and shrimp don’t immediately leap to mind in an inland city such as Durango, but this seafood specialist is one of the best restaurants in town. Service in the colorfully decorated 18th-century patio is professional, and you can choose from 20 ways of preparing grouper fillets or a range of seafood cocktails, including the six-ingredient Molotov.
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Cremería Wallander
A wonderful café and deli with a tranquil courtyard where you can enjoy healthy breakfasts and extraordinary tortas, made with cold cuts and cheese direct from the Wallander family farm on fresh-baked rolls. It’s also a great place to stock up on baked goods, wine, yogurt, honey and dried fruit.
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Museo de Arte Guillermo Ceniceros
The Museo de Arte Guillermo Ceniceros showcases the mysterious landscapes and feminine figures of local artist Ceniceros (born 1939), who was profoundly influenced by his teacher, the formidable muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros. Temporary exhibitions feature international artists.
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Museo de Arqueología de Durango Ganot-Peschard
The Museo de Arqueología de Durango Ganot-Peschard is an innovative visual feast presenting the archaeological record of the region’s indigenous cultures, including skulls intentionally deformed through head binding. All descriptions are in Spanish.
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Museo de las Culturas Populares
The Museo de las Culturas Populares displays craftwork of Durango state’s indigenous Tepehuanes and Huicholes and other artisans. The beautiful masks made by Roberto Macías, Trino Nunez and Thor Reveles Grande alone make it well worth visiting.
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Gorditas Gabino
A clean cheap-eats haven that bustles with all types of folk, mostly savoring the delicious gorditas (round masa cakes) and burritos stuffed with chicken and avocado, rajas con queso (chili strips and cheese) and other tasty fillings.
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Catedral del Basílica Menor
The Plaza de Armas is dominated by the handsome baroque facade of the Catedral del Basílica Menor, constructed between 1695 and 1787. The cathedral’s vast, Byzantine interior has fine sculptures, organs and ceiling paintings.
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Fonda de la Tía Chona
This classy classic fills a gorgeously decorated old building full of nooks and crannies, while the menu is dedicated to classic durangueño cuisine, such as the caldillo (a stew based on beef and pasado chilies).
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Restaurant La Gloria
This relaxed and arty spot is a nice place to linger. The large menu has very good breakfasts, antojitos, coffees and salads. It may also be the only restaurant in northern Mexico adorned with Free Tibet stickers!
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Au Pied de Chameau
You take your chances ordering food - a mix of nueva cocina Mexicana and international fusion dishes - but the gorgeous space covered in African and Asian art is great for after-dinner drinks.
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Da Vinci Café
A bohemian upstairs spot with an art gallery, great views of the Plaza de Armas, and live trova or ballads Tuesday and Thursday nights. It serves nothing but a variety of good coffee drinks.
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Teatro Ricardo Castro
The neoclassical Teatro Ricardo Castro features a large wooden bas-relief of Durango’s founding in its lobby (to enter, go through the door on Martínez and ask in the office).
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Mercado Gómez Palacio
You can find just about anything in the jumbled maze of stalls at Mercado Gómez Palacio, including tacos, pottery, cowboy hats, saddles, dried herbs, flowers and Mennonite cheese.
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Palacio de Gobierno
The late-baroque Palacio de Gobierno was originally built for a Spanish mine-owner in the 1790s and is now featuring wonderful murals on Mexican history themes.
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Instituto de Cultura
The Instituto de Cultura, due to reopen in 2010 after remodeling, contains museums on cinema, archaeology and the Mexican Revolution, and the state art gallery.
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Los Equipales
Los Equipales serves up satisfying meaty meals, whether they be tacos, a gringa (large tortilla topped with cheese and grilled meat), ribs or a steak.
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Museo de Cine
The Museo de Cine offers a pretty low-budget display, but if you can't make it out to the actual film sets, this little museum will have to suffice.
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Durango State Museum
A new Durango State Museum, due to open in 2010 in the 19th-century Palacio Escárzaga, is likely to be the best museum in the city.
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Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ángel Zárraga
Most of the space at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ángel Zárraga is given over to temporary exhibitions of young local artists.
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Pizzaly
It lacks the romantic vibe of some of the city's other Italian restaurants, but this one gets it right where it counts: the pizza.
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Samadhi
The food and atmosphere won't knock your socks off, but it offers herbivores a good chance to try foods like chorizos.
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Parque Guadiana
For some greenery and a ton of fun for the little tykes, go to the extensive Parque Guadiana just west of the center.
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