I stayed at Posada Academia in Queretaro but would not recommend it. You can probably find a nicer room for 200 pesos (or less) than the one I had, although the people were friendly enough.
I visited the Cerro de las Campanas where Maximilian was executed by firing squad in 1867. The Austrian government later asked permission to erect a small chapel at the site and they were allowed to do so. There is also a giant statue of Benito Juarez and a nice park and a good panoramic-type view of the city.
I walked around University Drive and found the little 'Park of the Plates' which is made entirely out of (mostly) blue and white pieces of ceramic--the little wall around the park, the benches, the planters and everything. There are some different colored tiles used to form pictures of birds and whatnot on the low walls. This might not be a very good section of town. I was approached by a fellow who started out by saying that he could tell from my dress and my bearing that I was a very distinguished gentlemen and blah, blah, blah, and could I spare two pesos. I kind of got a kick out of this approach and so I forked over, but then immediately a second wino staggered over and stuck his hand out and asked for two pesos without so much as a 'how do you do' and I told this one to get lost!
Anyhow, in the downtown area there are at least three and maybe four nice big parks. I had a conversation on a bench with a nice young fellow, Gabriel, who was studying electronics. I think I may have gone to a museum located near downtown but don't remember details and I lost the notebook I was using to keep track of all this stuff, so my reports are purely by memory.
There didn't seem to be many tourists in Queretaro, although I did exchange pleasantries (in Spanish, of course) with a nice young couple from Japan and overheard another group of four speaking German. It is the sort of place where I guess tourists are rare enough so that people just assume you are from around there, even if you are a little funny-looking, because people would just walk up and ask me what time it was or where they could find a notary public, seeming to expect that I spoke Spanish and could answer such questions!
I was just in Queretaro a day, but I think I'd like to go back and spend more time there in the future.
Oh, and I forgot to mention there is a nice interactive-type air conditioned museum in the Cerro de las Campanas park. They say they are planning to print up some placards with English translations for the exhibits, but I wouldn't count on it. Also, there is a famous theater (Iturbide) where all the representatives got together and ratified the socialist revolutionary constitution of 1917.
Next time you come to Centro Historico Queretaro call "HOME"(B&B) for nice, clean, comfortable accommodations, from 250 to 350p with a market-fresh breakfast. www.QueretaroBandB.com
Hi 2368.
Quite experience.
But yes, Querétaro its a great place not just to walk in the Historical Center but to really get to know people from different places. Querétaro its just 2 hours from México City and more and more, people who came to visit México City came to Querétaro to spend at least one weekend. Tasting the calm of a small town in a really big and industrial city.
Its passages right in the heart of Santiago de Querétaro (Capital City) are amazing, you could find any kind of tacos, tortas, guajolotes, etc.
Next time stop try to stop at Querétaro Tourism Board in Pasteur # 4 rigth at the end of 5 de mayo street. You would get a lot of nice recommendations and different ways to really enjoy your trip.
Things must be very slow in QRO to dig-up a two-year posting to advertise your city. For most people, getting to QRO from the D.F. means a bus ride - one taking 3 to 3.5 hours. I'll agree it's a nice city, but being made less nice by the pimping for it here on the TT - by Queretaro government employees.
Well, gee, I was quite pleased to get another reply after all this time! Of course, I saw it right away because of the feature on the side of the page that advises of activity on my "recent" posts. But I'm curious as to how Longford found out there had been an addition to a post this old--and also why he feels compelled to 'put the knock' on a fellow who is just trying to do a little promotion for his home town! (That ad hominem 'pimping' crack seems just a tad over-the-top. Am I missing something? Is there a feud going on that I'm unaware of? Is Longford keeping track of all this other fellow's posts so he can make nasty replies to each of them? Just wondering...)
Hi 2368.
I agree with you.
Jejeje. I dont know if he thinks that he is the only one who can post or what.
I'm just trying to help like all here, well almost all.
And, NO, I'm not trying to make promotion for my home town.
I'm just trying to help people who asks anything about Querétaro.
I'm here, I love working in tourism and can help people who want to make a trip around here.
So, 2368, if you make another trip to Querétaro, contact me and I think I can show you a little more than the Historical Center, and the "ugly people" my friend lonford met in all his trips.
bye
Maybe you can help me, Queteraro tourism persona. Where is the bus station located in Q? (The station where the Turistar Lujo buses arrive.)
Do local buses run from this station & do they have a regular schedule (horaria) for buses into el centro?
muchas gracias., Tammy
I'm kind of glad the thread got revived, because I hadn't seen the original posting.
Reminded me that there's more to see in Querétaro and gives me an excuse to go back there.
And in response to this remark:
It is the sort of place where I guess tourists are rare enough so that people just assume you are from around there, even if you are a little funny-looking, because people would just walk up and ask me what time it was or where they could find a notary public, seeming to expect that I spoke Spanish and could answer such questions!
I think it's the sort of place where people are just friendly, and seemingly happy as well. That's been my experience.
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