Mexico with kids
By Michelle Rae Uy
A street in San Miguel de Allende (Flickr: }JoAnto{)
Walk up and down the cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende. Meander past the colonial buildings with their small balconies and vibrantly colored walls bedecked with climbing bougainvillea and outdoor lamps. Whatever you do, whether window-shopping for artisanal wares or simply people watching, remind yourself to look up. The views on the city’s rolling streets may be enchanting, but they’re second only to the spires and domes that make up its skyline.
This city in the Bajio Mountains about 4 hours away from Mexico City is more than just a pretty town however. Thanks to the flurry of artists and writers that have moved in, family-friendly San Miguel de Allende also boasts amazing stops of the artistic and cultural kind. Along with its beautiful Baroque and Neo Classical architecture are museums, eccentric oddities, and other wonderful sights that families with kids will truly appreciate.
(MORE: Mexico’s Prettiest Towns For Family Travelers)
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel
The centerpiece of San Miguel de Allende is not to be missed. Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel is, after all, a wonder to behold with its intricate design, arched facade and pink spires, said to be inspired by the Gothic churches of Europe. Located in El Jardin, the city’s main plaza, the 17th century church still features its original, albeit faded and somewhat degraded, interiors. It is one of Mexico’s most photographed and certainly one of its most beautiful.
Chapel of Jimmy Ray
Anado Mclaughlin in the Chapel of Jimmy Ray (Courtesy Picasa)
One of San Miguel de Allende’s most interesting and must see attractions is the family-friendly Chapel of Jimmy Ray. This fantastical home (and gallery) of mosaic artist Anado Mclaughlin treats guest to a psychedelic trip, minus the acid of course. It’s filled with his whimsical mosaic creations, inspired by the desert, the 60s and Mexican folk art. The colorful sight is more than worth a three-mile trip out of town, but be sure to email for a tour appointment first before you go.
La Esquina Toy Museum
Inside La Esquina Toy Museum (Courtesy Ann Summa)
La Esquina Toy Museum highlights the wonderful imagination and creativity of Mexican toymakers and showcases toys from various regions of the country. A quick stroll from the city’s central plaza, this popular San Miguel de Allende museum is filled with more than a thousand beautifully handcrafted toys on display, from exquisite rocking horses and model trains to Lucha libra masks. Don’t let the word ’toy’ fool you; the museum not only appeals to kids, but also has its share of adult fans.
Mask Museum of San Miguel
Countless trips to remote regions of Mexico and twenty-five years in the making, the Mask Museum of San Miguel was finally opened in 2006 in the lovely Casa de la Cuesta. The museum flaunts over 500 authentic Mexican ceremony masks that have all been used in actual dance ceremonies. It also gives visitors fascinating glimpses to the different cultures and practices of Mexico’s indigenous communities, many of which regular travelers wouldn’t have a chance to visit and encounter.
(MORE: The Perfect Weekend Getaway to Mexico City, 2016’s Hot Spot)
Mercado de Artesanias
If you’re looking for souvenirs to take home, skip the touristy souvenir shops and take the whole family instead to a local market. San Miguel de Allende hosts a number of family-friendly ones including Mercado de Artesanias. The artisan market, open everyday from 9 am to 7 pm, perfectly showcases the colonial city’s flair for art and crafting. Stalls here are bursting with ceramics, lamps, Oaxacan rugs, traditional clothing, jewelry and artisanal food products such as honey, herbs and Mexican sweets.
Michelle Rae Uy contributed this to MiniTime. She is a travel writer based in Los Angeles and MiniTime’s Head of Content, who spends her free time on adventures and film photography.
