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Mexico
Adventure
Your
Mexico Information Connection
Monterrey, Mexico
Located
in the rugged state of Nuevo Leon in northern Mexico is Monterrey,
Mexico's third largest city (population about 3.5 million) and her
industrial powerhouse. Now an important site for manufacturing and
industry, the city was founded in 1596 and boasts colonial-era
attractions, elegant hotels and an active cultural scene.
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Only 145 miles south of the Texas border, Monterrey is
"Americanized" in many ways and is considered to be one of
Mexico's least "Mexican" cities. Monterrey caters mostly
to business travelers and is home to fast food outlets, mega-malls and a
high-concentration of English-speakers. In many ways, visiting the
city is similar to visiting the American southwest. In recent years,
the city has taken steps to protect its historic past and has remodeled
much of its downtown area. Throughout the city, visitors will find
fine museums, Mexico's largest brewery, outstanding restaurants, glass
skyscrapers, four major universities, an aquarium, top-notch visitor
facilities and a new convention center.
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Monterrey is also attractive to U.S. weekend
visitors. Access is easy with excellent air service from Texas;
those driving south from the U.S. border can usually make the trip in
under three hours, traveling over a modern toll-highway. For those
with an interest in colonial architecture, visit Marco Plaza, a
compilation of several smaller plazas that showcase many 18th and 19th
century buildings. |
Barrio Antiguo, east of Plaza Zaragoza
(the city's historical center since 1616), is Monterrey's Old Quarter and
home to numerous colonial-era mansions. This is great place to visit
on weekends when it comes alive with outdoor theater and music. Grutas
de Garcia is a fun attraction; it is a series of illuminated
underground caverns that formed over 5 million years ago and that were
discovered by a priest in 1843. Monterrey also has the 600 acre Bioparque
Nature Park, a "zoo without cages." Tours of the
1890s-era Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Brewery are also available; this is
where many of Mexico's renowned beers are produced, including Tecate and
Carta Blanca. Great restaurants include Carlos' Charlies
(fun and loud), Don Pasquale (romantic) and Guacamaya (fresh
seafood).
El
Legado is an upscale retirement community catering to local and
expatriate retirees.
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