| Keyword |
Description |
| Culinary |
Related to cooking, food, and gastronomy |
| Colonial |
Refers to the period and style from when a territory was controlled by a foreign power, especially Spain in Latin America |
| Vineyard |
Fields where grapevines are grown to produce wine |
Querétaro, a city in central Mexico, has just been named one of the 52 best places to visit in 2026 by The New York Times, which will likely attract more international tourists who look for new destinations every year. This recognition shows that Querétaro is not only beautiful, but also an exciting place for food, culture, and wine. The newspaper describes it as a once “sleepy, old-fashioned” city that is now surprising visitors with its modern food and drink scene. For young travelers, Querétaro offers a mix of history, nightlife, and local flavors that feels both authentic and trendy.
In recent years, Querétaro has become famous for its wine industry and creative gastronomy, turning the region into a popular culinary destination. The New York Times highlights places like Hotel Hércules, a former textile factory turned into a stylish hotel and brewery that produces some of Mexico’s best craft beers. It also mentions restaurants such as El Reinita and El Apapacho cafetería, which stand out for original dishes and a relaxed, modern atmosphere. Visitors can follow a local wine route, tasting labels like Tierra de Peña, or enjoy a grill-and-wine experience at spots like Bárbaro Asador, surrounded by peaceful vineyards.
Querétaro is also a city with deep historical roots that go far beyond its current trendy image. Officially called Santiago de Querétaro, it was founded as a Spanish colonial city in 1531, just ten years after Hernán Cortés took Tenochtitlán, the former Aztec capital. Long before the Spanish arrived, the area was home to Otomi communities from at least 500 BC and later to Purépecha groups and various nomadic peoples collectively known as Chichimecas. Because of its strategic location, the Spanish used Querétaro as a base to move north in search of gold and silver, following routes already used by Indigenous peoples.
By the 17th and 18th centuries, Querétaro had become a wealthy city in the Spanish Empire and earned the nickname “Pearl of the Bajío.” Its center is full of colonial architecture, including the Convent of Santa Cruz and several Baroque churches that now form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historic Monuments. The city was even declared Mexico’s capital twice and is remembered as the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1810. Today, Querétaro offers young visitors a rare combination: a vibrant food and wine scene within streets and buildings that tell centuries of Mexican history.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Culinary destination |
Destino culinario |
| Atmosphere |
Atmósfera |
| Architecture |
Arquitectura |
Time to discuss
- Should historical cities try to become modern tourist hotspots?
- Is food and drink the most important part of choosing a travel destination?
- Do famous lists, like the New York Times “places to go,” really influence where people travel?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Describe a city you know that mixes history with modern life. How does this mix affect the way people experience the city?
- Do you think tourism helps or harms local culture in places like Querétaro? Explain your opinion with examples.
