Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Chihuahua, Mexico

A prosperous industrial city located in the northern region of Mexico, Chihuahua sits on the western edge of the desert bearing the same name. The city’s 18th-century cathedral stands as the most exquisite Baroque monument in northern Mexico, serving as a centerpiece of an engaging historical district.

Numerous figures of significance in Mexican history inhabited Chihuahua, either by choice or circumstance.

Among these was independence leader Miguel Hidalgo, who was executed at the Federal Palace in 1811, along with President Benito Juárez, who fled to Chihuahua during the French intervention in the 1860s.

The folk hero and revolutionary, Pancho Villa, resided in Chihuahua, where the courtyard of his mansion features the Dodge car in which he met his demise in 1923.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Chihuahua:

1. Historical Museum of the Mexican Revolution

Located on Calle Decima, visitors can explore the residence of Pancho Villa, a prominent figure in the Mexican Revolution from 1910 to 1920, notable for his guerrilla efforts against the U.S. Army.

The estate was acquired by the government following the passing of Villa’s widow, María de la Luz Corral, in 1981 and is filled with artifacts related to the Mexican Revolution.

Exhibits include documents, weapons, personal mementos, and an intriguing photograph at the entrance featuring 25 women claiming to be wives of Pancho Villa.

His Bullet-riddled vehicle from 1923 is displayed in the courtyard.

2. Quinta Gameros

Situated on Paseo Bolivar, the Quinta Gameros is an extravagant Art Nouveau residence commissioned by businessman Manuel Gameros for his wife.

Construction began in 1907 and was finalized at the onset of the Mexican Revolution, preventing the couple from residing in the house.

The interior is adorned with Art Nouveau furniture from the Requena collection and features elaborate details worth noticing.

The ground level displays a dual staircase beneath a Tiffany stained glass window and includes wooden reliefs crafted by European artists based in Mexico City.

Parquet wood floors grace both levels, while the exterior showcases whimsical carvings of salamanders adorning the bases of its columns.

3. Centro Histórico

Bounded by Av. Niños Héroes to the north, Av. Pacheco to the east, Av. 20 de Noviembre to the south, and Blvd. Díaz Ordaz to the west, the Centro Histórico showcases evidence of Chihuahua’s oldest architectural structures.

Like many Mexican cities, Chihuahua was designed based on a grid layout, making navigation straightforward.

Some notable monuments not detailed here include the neo-Baroque Casa Creel (1894) at the intersection of Libertad and Calle Segunda, the impressive Central University Hospital building from 1897, and the Francisco Villa Mausoleum (1914) situated in Parque de la Revolución.

The expansive Plaza Mayor features the Ángel de La Libertad, a 37-meter Ionic column topped with a golden angel in honor of independence leader Manuel Hidalgo.

4. Chihuahua Cathedral

Recognized as the premier Baroque structure in northern Mexico, Chihuahua Cathedral is located on the southern side of Plaza de Armas and dates back to 1725. The façade is particularly noted for its use of Solomonic columns, which are uncommon in New Spanish Baroque architecture.

Among the fittings visible here, some originated abroad, including the octagonal window ordered from Germany and the clock manufactured in London.

Upon entering the portal, visitors can admire an exquisitely carved wooden nave screen featuring a relief of St. Peter and St. Paul.

In the Capilla del Cristo de Mapimi, a remarkable 18th-century reredos combines Baroque elements with folk art and displays a highly revered image of Christ.

5. Museo Casa Chihuahua

Once utilized by Chihuahua’s federal postal service until 2004, the former Federal Palace has transformed into an exhibition center and museum.

The basement housed Miguel Hidalgo during his confinement by the Spanish in 1811, lasting from April until his execution in July.

The museum now reflecting upon his cell was inaugurated in 1972 and showcases various belongings and documents of Hidalgo, alongside a bronze inscription narrating the words he penned with coal hours before his death.

The galleries on the ground floor and basement host four relevant exhibitions each year on themes pertinent to the state of Chihuahua, while the top floor covers the state’s folk heritage, mountains, plains, and desert.

6. Nombre de Dios Caves

The 8 million year-old Nombre de Dios Caves, located a mere 15 minutes from the heart of Chihuahua, are positioned alongside the Sacramento River.

During a one-hour tour, guests can explore 1,330 meters across 12 chambers, descending 85 meters below ground level via a network of robust, well-lit walkways.

The caves are replete with captivating stalagmites and stalactites, while El Corazón de la Gruta features a remarkable heart-shaped opening in the rock, perfect for photographs.

7. Government Palace

Until 2004, the Government Palace adjacent to Museo Casa Chihuahua was the seat of the State of Chihuahua legislature; the building continues to house the governor’s executive offices.

This site holds historical significance as it was where Miguel Hidalgo faced execution by a Spanish firing squad in 1811. The Altar de la Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), established in 1956, marks the location where Hidalgo fell.

A mural depicting Hidalgo’s final moments, painted by Aarón Piña Mora in the late 1950s, adds depth to the location’s historical narrative.

This initial artwork was so well-received that Piña Mora was subsequently engaged to decorate the entire first floor.

8. San Francisco Temple

Located on Calle Libertad, the San Francisco Temple is one of the few structures in Chihuahua that has stood since colonial times.

Construction commenced in 1717, shortly after the city’s founding, and concluded in 1789. Founded by the Franciscan order, the church features simple whitewashed walls characteristic of the Franciscans’ style.

For those following the Miguel Hidalgo trail, a monument honoring the independence leader is situated directly in front of the church, alongside a stone marking his burial site from 1811 to 1823 before his remains were transferred to Mexico City.

9. Plaza de Armas

Situated between the present-day Ayuntamiento building and the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas serves as the central point of the Centro Histórico, receiving its current design in 1895. At each corner of the square, bronze allegorical statues, crafted in Paris, symbolize labor, commerce, agriculture, and mining.

The square also features symmetrical gardens, a wrought iron French-style bandstand, and a statue of Don Antonio de Deza y Ulloa, the governor of Nueva Vizcaya who established Chihuahua in 1709.

10. Metropolitano Presa El Rejón Park

Located on the southwestern outskirts of Chihuahua, this park extends around the Presa El Rejón reservoir, directly in front of La Salle University.

Removed from the city’s hustle, it offers a great opportunity to appreciate the geography of Chihuahua, with clear views of the three hills prominently featured on the city’s emblem, especially Cerro Grande.

Visitors frequent this park for physical activities, with a jogging path extending 6.5 kilometers and exercise stations situated at regular intervals.

The eastern shoreline features a “family center,” where boat rentals, food stalls, a cafe, a children’s playground, and an observatory for stargazing are available.

11. Museo Casa Juárez

Briefly between 1864 and 1866, this location served as President Benito Juárez’s residence and was the base for his constitutional government while France supported the rule of Maximilian I of Mexico.

For those two years, Casa Juárez effectively acted as Mexico’s National Palace.

After the collapse of the Second Mexican Empire, Juárez returned to Mexico City, resuming full authority.

After the completion of the new Government Palace, this site became a school, transitioning into a museum on the centennial of Benito Juárez’s death in 1972.

Interiors replicate the style of the 1860s and include narratives regarding Juárez’s military actions against the French incursion.

12. Museo Semilla

Designed as an interactive museum for children, Museo Semilla features six halls dedicated to engaging exhibits and experiments.

Topics such as biology, mathematics, astronomy, weather, and electricity are explored in an entertaining yet educational manner.

Children can experience activities like lying on a bed of nails, peering inside a volcanic cone, traversing tectonic plates, programming robots, simulating astronaut experiences on a gyroscope, and generating electricity on a bicycle.

The museum also includes an active farm where children can interact with horses, witness chickens laying eggs, and enjoy a dinosaur section for budding paleontologists to search for fossils.

13. Museo del Desierto Chihuahuense

Given its proximity to the western border of the Chihuahua Desert, a visit to this museum located in Delicias provides valuable insights into this unique ecosystem and its natural history.

The modern museum relies on contemporary design, ambient lighting, and soothing music across its four galleries that narrate the desert’s evolution and examine its flora and fauna.

Two of the galleries feature the largest paleontological collection in the State of Chihuahua, including 20 full-size skeleton models of Cretaceous dinosaurs from the region, all replicated from original fossils.

14. Pegüis Canyon

Located en route to the border town of Ojinaga, Pegüis Canyon features a 16-kilometer stretch with cliffs soaring over 350 meters high.

This canyon is frequently overlooked in Chihuahua, surpassed in popularity by the expansive Candameña Canyon, often due to its remote desert setting and challenging approach roads. Visiting early summer is advisable, allowing for a one-hour hike through the gorge, which constricts to just eight meters in sections.

The arid landscape is dotted with biznaga and nopal plants, while the Conchos River invites rafters and kayakers.

For those seeking greater adventure, local tour companies offer rappelling expeditions down the canyon walls.

15. Regional Cuisine

The extreme climatic conditions of this arid region necessitated creative food preservation methods beyond seasonal harvests.

This led to the popularity of dried pork and beef, which are incorporated into numerous regional dishes, such as chile colorado con carne seca (red chili sauce with dried meat). A popular breakfast option is machaca a la Mexicana, featuring spiced dried pork or beef typically accompanied by eggs and avocado, all wrapped in flour tortillas.

Burritos also hold a significant place in Chihuahua’s culinary scene, often filled with chile colorado, frijoles, and shredded meats.

Chihuahua is renowned for its Angus, Hereford, and Charolais beef, with premier cuts offered at fine dining establishments, typically served alongside roasted onions and potatoes. Additionally, skirt, flap, or flank steaks are expertly grilled for carne asada.