To learn about a city and understand its history, nothing can beat visiting its museums. Querétaro is well equipped in this area, as there’s outstanding variety. If you’re planning to stay in the city, add these Querétaro museums to your list of must-dos.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Site Museum of the Archeological Zone of El Cerrito
Museo de Sitio El Cerrito stands just miles from Querétaro’s center, at the foot of a pyramid and former place of worship for many local cultures until as recent as 1636. It houses 125 items discovered during excavation work in the area. You can visit from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am, and entry is free.
Museum of the Cerro de las Campanas
This interactive museum reveals fascinating details about the region, including the origin of the word Querétaro and the basis of the city’s famous aqueduct.
It can be found in the national park of the same name, so named “Hill of the Bells” because it contains certain rocks that, when knocked together, make a sound like a bell. The park is also known for being the site of the execution of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico.
Museo Casa de la Zacatecana
The home of ‘la Zacatecana’ (the woman from Zacatecas) is found in a 17th century mansion and houses a permanent exhibition of decorative art. The main draw are the crimes of passion allegedly committed there that form one of Querétaro’s most popular legends. You can find out more from the screened videos in its different rooms. The Museo Casa de la Zacatecana is open from Monday to Sunday and entry costs $45 pesos.
Museum of Conspirators
Through the murals on the walls of an old restored mansion, this museum tells the story of the early conspiracy and plans, key figures, and plots behind the 1810 Mexican War of Independence. It also tells of plots behind revolutions like those in the United States and Haiti.
Museo de los Conspiradores is situated at Andador 5 de mayo, famous for its bars and restaurants, so it’s easy to grab a drink or snack afterwards. Right opposite is San Miguelito, one of the city’s most famous restaurants.
Querétaro Museum of Contemporary Art
The former Convent of Santa Cruz now houses the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Querétaro (MACQ), one of the city’s youngest museums (established in 2018). There’s a wonderful contrast created between the old building and the exciting contemporary works exhibited in its 14 rooms and standout sculpture garden.
Entry is free at this ever-changing museum displaying art from Mexico and around the world.
Querétaro Museum of Art
Located in a former cloister built in the 18th century, Querétaro Museum of Art is worth a visit just to explore its baroque courtyard. Its art collection, with styles from the 17th-19th centuries and rotating exhibitions of current contemporary, is also worth a long look. The Museo de Arte de Querétaro (MAQRO) has free entry and opens at 10am.
Regional Museum of Querétaro
This historical museum, Museo Regional de Querétaro, housed in a 16th century convent was converted into a museum in 1936. Furniture, paintings, documents, photographs, and other artifacts help to tell the history of the state, from the pre-Hispanic era and Otomi and Chichimeca societies, through the colonial years, and into the 20th century and early independence. It also includes unmissable, works of religious art.
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