Chihuahua’s Historic Center

The historic center of Chihuahua is filled with treasures that tell the story of this city, founded as Real de Minas de San Francisco de Cuellar in 1709. According to INAH, this area boasts over 600 buildings considered historical monuments.

Discover everything you can see and do in Chihuahua’s historic center, the starting point for exploring the city.

Discover the Magic of Chihuahua’s Historic Center 

In 2023, the historic center received the designation from the Secretariat of Tourism, becoming the Magical Neighborhood of Chihuahua.

Magical Neighborhoods is a SECTUR program focused on promoting destinations full of charm, tradition, and mysticism, both in capital cities and throughout the country. The initiative aims to boost fully identified and delineated urban areas.

Due to the preservation of its historic buildings and its vast cultural offerings, this area is now part of Mexico’s Magical Neighborhoods.

What to Do in Chihuahua’s Historic Center

• Stroll through the Plaza de Armas: The heart of the city. The main attraction is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Chihuahua, built in the 18th century and considered the most important Baroque-style religious monument in northern Mexico. Other points of interest include the central kiosk and the Monument to the Heroes of Independence.
• Visit the Government Palace: Inside, you’ll find the Altar to the Homeland, the site where Miguel Hidalgo was executed in 1811.
• Tour Casa Chihuahua: Here, you can visit the cell where Father Miguel Hidalgo was imprisoned before his execution.
• Visit the Quinta Gameros Cultural Center: Inside, there’s a museum housing one of the most important collections of Art Nouveau furniture.
• The Museum of Sacred Art: It features an interesting collection of sacred art paintings from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, gathered from old Rarámuri worship centers.
• Quinta Touché: A beautiful historic building hosting art exhibitions, concerts, and educational events.
• Lerdo Park: It boasts a wide variety of trees, flowers, and plants. There’s also an artificial lake, a kiosk, a children’s playground, and a monument to Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada. Additionally, it hosts various cultural and social events throughout the year.
• Plaza de los Frisos: A public space featuring friezes representing scenes from Mexico’s history.

Recommendations

When to Visit Due to Chihuahua’s significance in the historical episode of Mexico’s Independence, the Patriotic Celebrations are an excellent time to visit the historic center and join the festivities.

Where to Eat in Chihuahua’s Historic Center

• Restaurante La Casona: A local favorite, specializing in grilled meats and Mexican cuisine. Its beautiful inner courtyard inside an old building is a highlight.
• Macuilli: This restaurant gives a contemporary twist to classic Mexican cuisine with presentations as fresh as their ingredients.

Where to Stay

• Hotel Plaza: Located behind the cathedral, this is a classic and central option if you want to stay in the historic center.
• Central Hotel Boutique: A beautiful hotel that combines the charm of an old building with modern details.

How to Get to Chihuahua’s Historic Center

Independencia Avenue is the main access route to this Magical Neighborhood. There are also bus stations for the BRT-Troncal line.