Querétaro Walking Tour The Railroad District and Mezcal Tasting
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Step off the usual tourist path + into Querétaro’s historic train-station district, a neighborhood locals once called La Otra Banda—the “other side” of the city. On this thoughtfully paced walking tour, you’ll uncover how railroads, working-class barrios, + cultural reinvention shaped modern Querétaro. Begin where colonial power + Spanish influence set the stage, then cross the river into La Otra Banda + experience the city through food, stories, + spaces rooted in everyday life. Sample beloved regional dishes + tastes of tradition. Along the way, explore former industrial spaces transformed into creative hubs and discover how this once-overlooked area is experiencing a cultural revival. Savor flavors at an exciting new arrival that reimagines classic Mexican seafood dishes, with a modern, elevated touch. The experience culminates with a guided chocolate + mezcal pairing. This tour blends history, food, and storytelling to reveal a side of Querétaro most visitors never see.
Inclusions
What's included
- We generously tip all of our partners and include this in the cost of the experience.
- Tequila, mezcal, water, and other local sips!
- Cantina style tacos, gorditas, a seafood dish, chocolate, and other delicious surprises.
What's not
- Your guide works hard to make each experience a one-of-a-kind delight! Your tips are GREATLY appreciated.
Itinerary
We start on the “established side” of colonial Querétaro—towering churches, elite patronage, and Baroque power. You’ll decode dramatic architectural details, hear how patrons shaped the city, and learn how this sacred space later flipped roles—from convent to barracks to revolutionary infrastructure.
Time to fuel up like a rail worker. At this family-run gordita spot, you’ll taste a local classic and learn why humble street food is part of Querétaro’s industrial story.
A surprising stop that shows the neighborhood’s modern creative voice.
We pause on a bridge built during Mexico’s civil-war years and talk about the river as both lifeline and boundary.
Step into one of La Otra Banda’s most iconic cantinas—open since 1928, when train whistles still timed the neighborhood’s daily rhythm. Here, we’ll settle in for a tequila and pair it with classic cantina bites—the kind of simple, satisfying snacks that once fueled rail workers after long shifts.
Step into Querétaro’s railroad era at the city’s historic train station—where steam, steel, and modern Mexico arrived. Hear how the tracks connected Querétaro to Mexico City and the border, and how rail workers, telegraph lines, and revolutionary movement reshaped “La Otra Banda.”
Discover one of the quirkiest pocket parks in Querétaro—decorated with thousands of broken plate pieces. Hear how this tiny plaza connects centuries of trade, rail travel, music, and everyday barrio pride.
Techol (Upscale Barrio Kitchen) A standout newcomer in La Otra Banda, Techol represents the neighborhood’s culinary reinvention. Here, innovative local chefs reinterpret classic Mexican flavors through seafood-focused, seasonal dishes. We’ll sample a few refined bites inspired by a traditional executive comida—the kind of thoughtful, midday meal fueling Querétaro’s next generation of creatives.
Prepare for a sensory finale. At El Curandero, guests experience a guided chocolate and mezcal pairing that goes far beyond drinking and snacking. Learn how agave and cacao shaped Mesoamerican culture, how mezcal is crafted from wild and cultivated agaves, and how botanicals influence aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel. This tasting is equal parts history, botany, and pleasure—an eye-opening finish that ties together tradition, innovation, and Mexican botanical heritage in every sip and bite.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- We will meet in the plaza.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 6 travellers
- Operated by
- Explore Queretaro
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- One of the vendors can only be accessed by a spiral staircase.
How it compares in San Miguel de Allende
- Its from-price is 10% below the median of the 250 experiences we list in San Miguel de Allende.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a colonial hill town in Mexico's central highlands, with a pink-stone church, cobbled streets, galleries and an art school.
San Miguel de Allende sits at about 1,900 metres in the Bajío highlands of Guanajuato, a town of cobbled streets and painted colonial houses built when silver and trade made the region rich. The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, with its pink sandstone spires, dominates the Jardín, the main square. The town takes the second half of its name from Ignacio Allende, a leader of the independence movement born here, and the historic centre is a World Heritage site.
Top-ranked sights in San Miguel de Allende: Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, Fábrica La Aurora, Santuario de Atotonilco.
Special offers in San Miguel de Allende
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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