Queretaro offers some of the most beautiful and well-maintained plazas in Mexico, perhaps in Latin America. Here are some selected views of the plazas we've enjoyed ... we like to hang out in these comfortable, friendly places.

The main plaza, called either "Plaza de Armas" (a traditional name for main plazas, because they used to have lots of military parades in them) or "Plaza de la Independencia". This is really a gorgeous place - at least to some extent because only one narrow street goes by it: the western side is lined with fine colonial buildings and an arcade, no street. The north side is dominated by the Casa de la Corregidora - the house of Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, a hero of the Mexican Independence struggle. That magnificent house is now a government building. The south side is lined with sidewalk cafes. Only on the east side is vehicle traffic allowed, and the traffic is not heavy. The east side also has arcades with sidewalk cafes. Live music is frequently featured in all the sidewalk cafes on the plaza. Truly a wonderful place. We were pointed to this plaza by a resident on our first day - he said "go up this way to the fountain with the little dogs" (perritos).

The first photos are from January 8, when New Year's decorations were still in place.

• Plaza de Armas, fountain: "Perrito echando agua" Plaza de Armas, fountain: "Perrito echando agua"
• Plaza de Armas Plaza de Armas
• Plaza de Armas Plaza de Armas
• Plaza de Armas Plaza de Armas
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The Plaza de la Constitucion was built only 40 years ago, hence the modern style. Again we see here Christmas decorations being dismantled. Larger than the Plaza de Armas, the Plaza de la Constitucion is surrounded by streets with traffic. Still manages to be quite beautiful.

• Plaza de la Constitucion; motorcycle clubs charity event Plaza de la Constitucion; motorcycle clubs charity event
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The fountain is programmed for a lights & music show after dark (the regular plaza lights are turned off for the show).



Plaza Guererro has a lovely multifacted fountain, but it still looks quite severe. It features a massive block of manicured box-shaped trees. Very dense and lush foliage, trimmed to make a huge block of green surrounding the big empty space that contains the fountain. A place of sharp contrasts: cool shade and blazing sun.

• Plaza Guererro Plaza Guererro
• Plaza Guererro Plaza Guererro
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Jardin Zenea is the friendliest plaza in town. Big and full of flowers and trees. This is where the bandstand is: each Sunday at 7pm there is a concert by the state symphonic band. We were there, lost in a huge crowd, last Sunday evening. Folding chairs are provided, but a big space for dancing is reserved. We joined in on a swing dance and a cha cha.

• Jardin Zenea Jardin Zenea
• Statue of Hebe, Jardin Zenea Statue of Hebe, Jardin Zenea
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Many of the dozens of churches have their own plazas. One of them is the Plaza de la Cruz, home to an artesans market, in front of the Templo de la Santa Cruz. Behind the church is an enormous convent. In front is a statue of Fray Junipero Sera (of California mission fame). He practiced the art here before coming to California: he instigated construction of 5 famous mission churches in the northern hinterlands of Queretaro state.

• Plaza del Templo San Antonio Plaza del Templo San Antonio
• Plaza de la Cruz, Templo de Santa Cruz, and statue of Fray Junipero Sera Plaza de la Cruz, Templo de Santa Cruz, and statue of Fray Junipero Sera
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