Dolores Hidalgo

Dolores Hidalgo is a tiny little town most famous as the birthplace of the Mexican Independence movement. Dolores is often explored in combination with San Miguel de Allende which is just about an hour to the southeast. The towns share a similar semi-arid climate and a stark clarity of light. The 1810 Cry for Liberty made by the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla forever burned the name of Dolores Hidalgo onto the national consciousness. The Our Lady of Sorrows church, from which el Grito reverberated, is visited by school kids and interested grownups from all over the country. 

More recently, a mausoleum in the shape of a hat received the remains of the beloved composer, José Alfredo Jiménez. His house, along with that of Miguel Hidalgo are two of the most popular museums in the town although they are not far from the Bicentennial Museum and the National Independence Museum. These are just some of the major sites in and around the center of town. But most visitors come to walk the historic streets, and to take in the ever-encroaching desert.

The town is, somewhat surprisingly, also part of the burgeoning Guanajuato wine route. The nearby Cuna de Tierra and Hacienda San Bernardino vineyards offer tours and tastings and lunches to finish it off. Local cuisine includes the famous borrachita and garambullo ice cream. The Mercado Independencia is in the center of town with eateries and terrific food around practically every corner. And it faces another little market dedicated just to sweets and candy. In the end, Dolores Hidalgo is an increasingly sophisticated destination, with something up its sleeve for everyone. 

Trips from San Miguel de Allende can be booked from the town center although there is even more affordable local van and combi service. Trips from Querétaro nearly always stop in San Miguel, on a total trip of about  3.5 hours. The same can be said of Mexico City. From the Autobuses del Norte station, the trip takes about 5.5 hours.