Parque Acuático Dios Padre, Ixmiquilpan

Ixmiquilpan is one of the most accessible, and still family-friendly spa towns in Hidalgo. It very often gets voted the most popular destination in the state, and as a Mexico City getaway, the town is top notch. The state is rightly famous for the proliferation of these kinds of spa complexes especially in areas with high geothermic activity. Here, the balnearios run the range from especially kid-friendly on up to the absolutely posh and no-kids-allowed. 

The town has historically maintained at least some access to these hot springs. Most of the spas are arrayed southeast of the town center on highway 85. TripAdvisor lists some 34 of them, but do not miss the center of town.  

An old Augustinian monastery here dates from 1550. It was dedicated then to Saint Michael the Archangel, and likely the most famous thing about it are the interior murals. These were mysteriously painted to depict entirely indigenous themes and subjects. There is not a saint or virgin in sight. Nearby, the Museum of the Hñähñu Culture is the most important museum in town. The collections center around the Otomi people of the area, and their culture, and history. But the monastery murals reflect still more of that culture, albeit using European techniques, and the backdrop of the local monastery. The subject matter of the paintings is nearly unique within the entire realm of Mexican religious painting and art.

The murals provides a striking and dramatic emphasis to any trip here. And if you end up peckish, the historic Mercado Morelos opened in 1942. Entirely dedicated to the best foods in the region, the cooks within the market are serving barbacoa every day. There are other favorites like guajalotes, (Hidalgo-style chalupas served in a torta-style sandwich), and tamales, too.

Both Frontera Norte and Ovnibus run regular buses from the Mexico City and these will get you there in two and a half to three hours.