Durango offers a large number of activities, from museum visits and archeological zone trips to shopping with the family and visiting authentic movie sets. The possibilities abound and so much so that you will need many days to tour all the major tourist and cultural attractions of Durango.
The Historic Center of Durango
The Historic Center of Durango offers close to a thousand buildings constructed of diverse architectural styles that range from Neoclassic, Baroque and Neogothic. To walk these beautiful streets of the downtown area is like walking through a large open-air architecture museum, with beautiful works of art in every corner. The number of historic buildings and the beauty of its architecture have prompted international organizations to recommend Durango as a World Heritage Site.
Basilica Menor Cathedral
Due to its splendid Baroque style, the facade and the detailed interior, a visit to the Cathedral is an experience not only for the art lover but also those that want to learn a bit more. The Cathedral, which dates back to the 18th Century, also houses diverse sculptures of great artistic and esthetic value. There are also "retablos" (small oil paintings done on a variety of materials), wood and ceramic work, as well as beautiful ceilings and religious paintings.
Durango Cultural Complex
The Durango Cultural Complex is a building where you can find the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the Institute of Culture of the State (ICED) and diverse museums. The most representative of the history and culture of Durango is shown here, as well as being the location of the Museum of Movies, a tribute of love that Durango has with the silver screen. The visit can be interesting for not only the movie lover but also for those who want to learn more about the culture of the state of Durango. The ICED also houses a series of articles from the times of the Mexican Revolution, including photos, weapons, personal items and furniture used by the different heroes of the Revolution.
A visit to the Durango Cultural Complex is an enriching experience that can also make for a very pleasant stroll in these lush gardens.
The Church of the Cerro de los Remedios
This small church is one of the most traditional in Durango and also considered one of the most original for its location on top of a hill. The church has been restored to its original splendor and houses diverse works of religious art.
Museums
Being the cultural city that it is, Durango has a great variety of museums of all types. You can find galleries, a children's museum, the Museum of the Revolution, the Modern Art Museum and the Archeology Museum, among many others. The Museum of Mexican Culture exhibits pieces of local artisans. The Regional Museum (also known as the Museum of the Avocado) has more than a dozen rooms exhibiting pieces from the history of Durango as well as contemporary art pieces. The Angel Zarraga Theater is also very well-known in the city, with stunning works of art and diverse art workshops. There are also two movie museums and a book museum. This great variety of cultural spaces represents an excellent option for those who want to visit Durango and soak up a little culture.
Museums of Movies
The Museums of Movies are attractions in Durango that need to be mentioned apart. Movies on the whole have had a huge impact on the culture and history of the region because they pay tribute to the movies, writers, directors and moments that have marked Durango as the Land of Movies. The Rafael Trujillo Museum is located on the installations of the Institute of Culture of the State, where there are numerous objects that refer to the history of movies in Durango. Here you can find large, old-fashioned movie cameras, movie stills, memorabilia and many other odds and ends. The museum has six exhibition rooms, an auditorium and movie library with hundreds of films. If you're a movie goer, this exhibit is a must-see.
On the other hand, in the Historic Center of the city, you can find the Movie Theme Museum, which was built to teach the history and potential of Durango's cinematography industry to young people. There are posters, photos and printed material autographed by the protagonists of the movies filmed in Durango. You can also find audiovisual equipment that was used in the past. If you wish, you can ask for a guided tour of the museum, where you can have a complete explanation of each of the objects on exhibit.
Villas of the West and Chupaderos
If you are in Durango for a weekend, make a trip through the picturesque theme park and movie set of Villas of the West. Visiting the Villas is like traveling back in time and finding yourself in the Wild West. Here you will find sets of towns that were typical of the cowboy movies, like a bank and lonely, dusty streets. You can also watch a cowboy show, eat in the local restaurant and, at night, wander down to the saloon.
Chupaderos is another movie set with a true Wild West flavor. It has wooden buildings, dusty roads, rustic, picturesque houses and the classic feel of a cowboy movie of Hollywood.
Theaters
The cultural activity of Durango is reflected in the number of theaters and theater plays. There are two theaters that stand out for their architecture: Victoria Theater and the Ricardo Castro Theater. The former is the oldest theater in the north of the country whereas the latter is an example of the splendor from the times of Porfirio Diaz, built with quarry rock, murals and French-style decor.
Tram Rides
The traditional tram rides are an excellent opportunity for those who want to learn and see more of the tourist attractions of the city but don't have the time or for those that want to maximize their visit and see as much as they can. The advantage of these rides is that they can easily be adapted to the schedule and needs of the traveler. Normally this service offers transportation from the hotel to the trams and back.
La Ferreria
La Ferreria is a completely restored 19th century hacienda that is located only 8 kilometers to the south of Durango. There are also archeological ruins of the Chalchihuite culture, as well as a museum that exhibits the pieces that were found on the site. The archeological zone is considered Cultural Heritage of Durango and the Nation by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
The main building of La Ferreria has been kept in excellent condition and is surrounded by beautiful gardens that harken back to another moment in time.
The Dams
The Dams of Durango is an ideal place for water sports like kayaking. Surrounded by tranquil natural beauty, groups of athletes frequently visit the dams to have fun and do exercise. Offering a chance to breathe fresh air, the dams of the city are an excellent opportunity to spend one day out of your vacations, doing something different, in Durango.