por The tourist places in Aguascalientes They are a sample of the innumerable attractions that this state of Mexico offers to the visitor. Aguascalientes is located in the center of the country and is one of the smallest states with 5,616 km2.
It has a population of 1,313,544 inhabitants in 11 municipalities, although the majority is in the metropolitan area of the city of Aguascalientes, which is its capital. The area is an industrial and agricultural center of Mexico, with an important tourist development.
The most important fair event in Mexico, the San Marcos National Fair, is held annually in the city of Aguascalientes. This city is home to a historic center and numerous museums, such as the Railway Museum, the Regional History Museum or the Museum of Death.
On the other hand, the state receives its name thanks to the large number of hot springs that exist in its territory. These spas have attracted travelers since colonial times and today they are a very important tourist area.
In addition, Aguascalientes has an extensive offer of natural and recreational parks, such as Cerro del Muerto, El Sabinal Park and the Valladolid water park. Like the Boca del Túnel Adventure Park and the El Caracol tourist development.
Other tourist places in Aguascalientes that receive numerous visitors are the sculpture of the Broken Christ and the magical towns of Aguascalientes. In addition, some sites in Aguascalientes are part of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Main tourist places in Aguascalientes
1. City of Aguascalientes: historic center and fairs
In the capital city, the historic center stands out with its Plaza de Armas, around which are some of the emblematic buildings such as the 18th century Cathedral, the Government Palace and the Municipal Palace. Another outstanding building is the Exedra, a monument that represents the central point of Mexico.
Architectural works such as the Temple of San Antonio from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which represents a mixture of different styles, also stand out. In the same way, the Temple and Garden of the Encino and the Plaza de las Tres Centurias stand out.
In addition, in the city of Aguascalientes, there is a network of old tunnels dating from the colony. Likewise, it is the headquarters of several nationally famous fairs, such as the San Marcos Fair and the Las Calaveras Fair developed in beautiful spaces, including the San Marcos Convention Center.
2. Ojocaliente Thermal Baths
Aguascalientes owes its name to the existence in its territory of numerous areas of thermal waters considered medicinal. Among them, the Baños de Ojocaliente stand out, dating from 1831 with French neoclassical constructions.
These thermal baths are located 7 km from the capital city, very close to the Plaza de las Tres Centurias, with a water temperature that oscillates between 38 and 40°C.
3. Garden and Temple of San Marcos
The Temple of San Marcos, dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen, was founded in 1764 and is located in the Barrio de San Marcos. It is a Baroque-style temple made of pink quarry and next to it is the Garden of San Marco.
This garden has a large entrance arch and is surrounded by balusters made of the same material as the temple. It is a beautiful park full of greenery, with walkways, wrought iron benches and various life-size statues sitting on them.
4. Cerro del Muerto, mountains, rivers and cliffs
In Aguascalientes there are several places for tourism in contact with nature, including the natural emblem of the state, the Cerro del Muerto. Located just 10 km from the capital, it reaches a height of 2,500 meters above sea level and houses various thermal pools. Similarly, there are areas for the protection of fauna and flora, with oak forests.
5. El Sabinal Ecological Park
This park covers 160 hectares with juniper trees, Mexico’s national tree, whose trunks are reputed to be among the widest in the world. The park is located on the road to the community of Agostaderito, a few minutes from the capital, on the slopes of the Sierra Fría. In it there are trails and you can have the experience of penetrating the trunk of a hundred-year-old tree.
6. Valladolid Water Park
This spa and recreational site is located a few minutes from the city of Aguascalientes and has camping areas with all services. There are hot springs, large slides, sports fields, children’s areas, restaurants and lodgings.
7. Tunnel Mouth Adventure Park
It is a natural park located in the Boca del Túnel canyon, in the San José de Gracia municipality, which has 13 suspension bridges and zip lines. Also, there is a lagoon and a 3 km tunnel that crosses the mountain. In this park you can go horseback riding, boating, renting cabins or practicing water sports in the dam.
8. El Caracol tourist development
It is a theme park located at the starting point of the hydraulic development that began in colonial times in Aguascalientes. The building called El Caracol dates from 1730, a place where water was stored and distributed in a system of tunnels.
This has made Aguascalientes known as «the perforated city», making it possible to go through the tunnels 7 meters deep. In this park there is a paleontological museum where fossils of mastodons and mammoths can be seen. You can also visit the cave of the famous bandit Juan Chávez from the 19th century, or take a boat ride through the El Cedazo dam.
9. The island of San Marcos
It is an amusement park located in the center of the capital, with an artificial lake and a Monumental Catrina 15 m high. In addition, the largest mechanical clock in Latin America with 27 m in diameter is contemplated.
You can also enjoy the thrill of zip lining, as well as attend the festivals, fairs and plays that are offered there. This is the site of the famous San Marcos Fair.
10. The Broken Christ
It is a statue of a Christ with the leg and arm on the right side mutilated, erected on the island of Cristo Roto. This island is located in the Plutarco Elías Calles dam, in the municipality of San José de Gracia.
The statue is 28 m high and is the second tallest Christ in Latin America. Access is by boat and then through a staircase you reach the sanctuary or temple at the base of the statue.
11. History museums
Aguascalientes has the Regional Museum of History, installed in an old house from 1901, and there you can visit 7 thematic rooms. In them you can learn about the history of Aguascalientes from prehistory to the present.
In addition, there is the Museum of the Insurgency, where the history of the Mexican independence war is shown. The latter located in the Hacienda de San Blas in Pabellón de Hidalgo in the municipality of Rincón de Romos.
On the other hand, the Museum of the Insurgency is part of the route of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, hero of independence. There is also the Museum of the Traditional Mexican Toy, with more than 3,500 pieces, where the tradition of the Mexican toy is made known.
It also has the Railway Museum, where it is possible to learn about the history of this means of transport, so important in the history of Mexico.
12. Art Museums
Among these, the Museum of Contemporary Art stands out, where the works from the National Meeting of Young Art are shown. There is also the «José Guadalupe Posada» Museum, an important tourist destination in Mexico, due to its valuable sample of engravings. Among his most popular works is the Mexican Catrina, a skull with a flowered hat in a bronze engraving by the artist Posada.
Another museum of great importance is the Casa de la Cultura «Víctor Sandoval», where artistic expressions of the region are shown, as well as being an outstanding cultural center. As well as the Macro Space for Culture and the Arts (MECA), with works of contemporary art, arte povera and conceptual art.
13. “Discover” Museum
It is an interactive science and technology museum, focused on new information technologies and innovation. 4 environments are covered, where topics such as renewable energies, the cosmos and robotics are addressed. In addition to the so-called Nissan Room, on automotive technology and also has a Science Garden and a Botanical Garden.
14. National Museum of Death
This museum belongs to the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes and is located in the center of the capital city of the state. Its main collection is the one donated by the master engraver Octavio Bajonero Gil. It is oriented to display objects related to the theme of death, of great relevance in the Mexican tradition, and includes 2,000 works distributed in 10 rooms.
15. Aguascalientes Haciendas and Hunting Ranches
In this state there are old haciendas that were part of the old Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, today mainly dedicated to rural and historical tourism. Among these, the Hacienda de Peñuelas, the Hacienda de Cieneguilla and the Hacienda de San Blas in Pabellón de Hidalgo, headquarters of the museum of the Insurgency
On the other hand, many ranches in the region are dedicated to promoting hunting activities, that is, sport hunting.
16. The wine route
Aguascalientes is a wine producer and offers the Wine Route, where it is possible to visit vineyards and learn about the wine production process. The state has 205 hectares of wine grapes as well as 10 wineries and open vineyards.
Particularly noteworthy is Casa Leal, where the vineyards with the highest production in Aguascalientes are located. Other places on the route are the Bodegas Origen, Bodegas de La Parra, Viña Las Cruces, Viñedo El Aguaje and the Hacienda de Letras.
17. Calvillo
This is one of the magical towns of Aguascalientes, housing various works of artistic and historical interest. Among them, the Temple of the Lord of Salitre from 1772, the main square from 1778, as well as the Temple of Guadalupe.
You can also visit the cave paintings of El Tepozán and the Malpaso Dam. A particular attraction is its Guava Fair, since the town is famous for the production of this fruit. Likewise, on the route to the town is the archaeological site of El Ocote, where there are cave paintings from 650 and 900 AD.
18. Romos Corner
This town and its municipality are located in the north center of the state and among its attractions is the Temple of the Lord of Sorrows. As well as the Holy Lateran Basilica, the Temple of San Blas and the Chapel of San José.
On the outskirts there are various haciendas of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and you can see works such as the elevated aqueduct of El Saucillo. One of these old haciendas is the Pabellón de Hidalgo, where the Museum of the Insurgency is located.
19. Royal Seating
It is a magical town in Aguascalientes whose main attractions are the Camino Real de la Plata and the Chapel of the Holy Cross. As well as the Casa de Larrañaga, the Casa del Minero, the Parish Art Gallery and the Living Cactus Museum.
In addition to the Temple and Ex-Convent of El Tepozá and the Tunnels of the Parish of…