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Parral, also known as Hidalgo del Parral, is a small city in Chihuahua. The historic mining town has a colorful history, particularly during the Mexican Revolution when a local woman gained fame fighting off the U.S. Cavalry as they chased flamboyant revolutionary, Pancho Villa (who would end up being assassinated in town several years later). The town's Cavalcade attracts thousands of visitors who discover a charming town that can be a great weekend getaway destination. It is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.
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St Joseph's Church
Imposing 17th century stone church with a very large single bell tower, exterior buttresses, and a stunning interior full of gold, crystal chandeliers, and religious artwork including statues in both interior and exterior niches.
Parral Cathedral, Templo Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
The original church was built in 1680, and although the cathedral looks like it might date from that period, it is actually a modern reconstruction built in the 1940s when the old church was damaged in a 1944 flood. The church features enormous twin bell towers that dwarf the main nave. The church features several stunning stained glass windows and a number of iconic statues and paintings, some rescued from the original church, others from the modern era. The church is a center of activity in early December when the festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe takes place.
Pancho Villa Museum
Fun and fascinating museum about the life and death (mostly the death) of Francisco Villa, General of the Army of the North during the Mexican Revolution and later Governor of the state of Chihuahua. The flamboyant Villa and his colorful accomplishments make him a hero to many people in Northern Mexico, but there are also myriad stories of conspiracies against Villa, who had more than his share of enemies. They say it's not paranoia if somebody actually is out to get you, and Villa can sure attest to the truth of that since he was assassinated here in Parral when his enemies ambushed his car with a hail of gunfire. Guided tours available (with guides who dress as revolutionaries).
Towering over nearby rooftops, an enormous monumental equestrian statue of General Villa stands guard at one end of the Revolution Pavilion, a plaza with colorful murals and open walkways. The monumental sculpture is the work of artist Julian Martinez, who unveiled the 7-meter high bronze statue of Villa astride his horse in 1981.
Beautifully restored Porfiriato era townhome with an open courtyard and ornate architectural detail. Today, the home's rooms have been turned into galleries that tell tales of local history, with an emphasis on the Mexican Revolution. The most interesting tale is that of Elisa Griensen: during the Revolution, Pancho Villa's Army of the North was a militia of ranchers and horsemen who relentlessly attacked federal strongholds in Northern Mexico. Villa's cavalry would often hit a federal outpost and then ride over the border into the U.S., knowing the federales would respect the border and give up the chase. This tactic incensed the U.S. government and U.S. army cavalry units were stationed at Fort Bliss and other outposts to stop Villa. On one occasion, they chased Villa's men all the way to southern Chihuahua but were stopped in Parral when schoolteacher Elise Griensen led her pupils in a blockade to stop the U.S. Cavalry. A small tactical retreat for the cavalry, but it gave Villa time to escape and it catapulted Griensen to local fame where she became an icon of Mexican patriotism.
Grand townhouse that was built by a wealthy industrialist who made his fortune in mining, and was a friend of Pancho Villa. The home is beautifully maintained with spectacularly opulent period furnishings reflecting the Porfiriato era (particularly 1903). Large central courtyard with a glass dome. Many historical displays.
Centaur of the North Museum
The historic Hidalgo Hotel has been renovated and turned into this history museum about Mexican Revolution hero, Pancho Villa ("The Centaur of the North"). The museum's most notorious feature is an exhibit that re-creates with wax figures the assassination and subsequent wake of Pancho Villa.
Prieta Mine
Ride an elevator 100 meters below the surface to level 2 (out of 25) of the historic mine that began operations in 1629. Walk 250 meters into the level 2 tunnel, which was dug by hand in 1820. The mine produced gold, silver, lead and a variety of minerals. Period equipment is in various places around the site.
Gate of Time
The gates of the city is a small park with a huge contemporary sculpture representing "time". Built of a superstructure of industrial steel, two mesh faces point in opposite directions, conceptually representing past and future.
The town square is an open plaza paved with brick with numerous iron park benches lining the walkways, most of which lead to a central kiosk (bandstand). Most trees are young so there's not a lot of shade (which might help explain why there's always an empty bench available).
Historic church that's taken more than its fair share of licks through its 400 year history. Established in 1661 as a hermitage dedicated to the Virgen del Rayo, the church was re-built in 1704. During the Mexican Revolution, it was burned down by Pancho Villa's troops and completely destroyed. Beginning in 1919, it was re-built as you see it today.
Built as a monastery in the 17th century, the building was re-purposed as a theatre in the early 20th century. It occasionally hosts theatrical and other performing arts events.
Kid City
Family recreational park with an outdoor pool, airplane, and myriad playscapes for the kids to play on.
Family friendly animal park that has picnic areas (with barbecue grills), a petting zoo, ostriches and peacocks, and several types of exotic animals that are most definitely not for petting, such as a Siberian white tiger, Bengal tigers, jaguars, jaguarmundi and more. There is a kids playground with well maintained playscapes.
Very nice professional baseball stadium that is home field for Los Mineros de Parral, who play in the Liga Estatal de Beisbol de Chihuahua, a semi-pro independent league with 10 teams, all in the state of Chihuahua. The stadium seats about 5,000 and games are well attended, often selling out. Limited parking is available (so arrive early if you're driving).
Popular breakfast hot spot specializing in chilaquiles (though they also have pancakes, eggs, and other breakfast dishes).
Super casual taco stand with doors and windows open to the street and friendly counter service. Outdoor tables are also available. Serves tacos, quesicarnes and lonches, all with grilled steak (cheese optional). Served with a selection of salsas and a plate of grilled onions. This is the place for tasty, cheap, late-night munchies!
Good place for cheap eats. The restaurant is clean but casual and unfussy. Aguas frescas are M$20 and most quesadillas are M$30. Quesadillas are tasty and made with fresh cheese and corn tortillas.
Everybody loves pizza....it's cheap, fast, and delicious. In Parral, the pizza is made with locally sourced cheese from the Mennonite community which has a lower melting point than commercial cheese and a creamier texture and flavor.
Popular family-friendly casual restaurant serving basic Mexican and international dishes. Portions are generous and prices reasonable.
Large family-friendly casual restaurant specializing in seafood. Locals recommend the Carne Asada and the Camarones Empanizados. Ample free parking.
Casual seafood restaurant serving ceviche, shrimp cocktails, and tacos. Ample free parking. Friendly atmosphere.
Traditional Mexican restaurant with a huge collection of tequila bottles on display. Food is good and portions generous.
Fun traditional Mexican restaurant filled with memorabilia, Mexican artesanias, and conversation-worthy kitsch. Food includes grilled meats, enchiladas, seafood and more. Full bar with tasty margaritas and mezcal drinks.
Spacious modern restaurant with a ranch motif. Serves regional Northern Mexico cuisine with a strong emphasis on steaks and other grilled meats. Ample parking lot. Full bar. Occasional live music.
Long-established Chinese restaurant. Casual atmosphere is a bit retro looking (more like it hasn't been updated in decades, but let's be positive). Food is tasty with ample portions, locals recommend the almond duck.
Mun2
Iconic cantina with more tacky junk than an episode of "Hoarders". Popular place with friendly locals and large, inexpensive drinks. An institution.
Small club with cozy atmosphere, rock music, light snacks, and large drinks. The micheladas are on the spicy side but very tasty.
Modern hotel with clean, spacious rooms and friendly service. Swimming pool available. On-site restaurant serves only breakfast. Rooms on upper levels have excellent views.
Classy boutique hotel in a restored 19th century building. Rooms are clean, spacious and well furnished. On-site restaurant available. Free off-street parking available.
Moderate downtown hotel with basic but well furnished rooms that include cable TV, WiFi, and air conditioning. Off-street parking in underground garage.On-site restaurant available.
Modern motel-style lodging with off-street parking in front of rooms (similar to a Motel 6). Rooms are clean and comfortable with good air conditioning. Breakfast is included in rates and there is a restaurant next door if you want more substantial food.
Small boutique hotel with clean, comfortable rooms with air conditioning. On-site restaurant is cozy and has good food.
Moderate hotel with somewhat dated decor. Rooms are a bit small, but comfortable and scrupulously clean. On-site restaurant is recommended.
Moderate hotel with small rooms with dated decor, but clean. Off-street parking in an enclosed parking area. On-site restaurant. WiFi available but flaky reception in many rooms.
Cheap barebones rooms in a colonial style building near the city center. Rooms are small and not well furnished. Small off-street parking area is available (if you get there early enough).
Graceful colonial hotel with beautiful decor, on-site restaurant and an outstanding terrace bar. Rooms are mostly clean, comfortable and well furnished, but some are suitable only for very small Japanese midgets. No on-site parking available. Unreliable reservation system and policies.
Moderate hotel on a main thoroughfare. Rooms are clean and spacious but beds are platforms with a single mattress, so are too hard for many people to get a comfortable nights sleep. Off-street secured parking is available. On-site restaurant is available with a good buffet.
Classy comfortable hotel in the city center. Rooms are clean and comfortably furnished. Off-street parking is available, but the lot is small and spaces do not accommodate large vehicles. On-site restaurant is available but does not start serving breakfast until 08:00, which may be a bit late for some travelers.
Traditional hotel with elegant lobby and rooms that are clean, but somewhat small and containing dated furnishings. On-site restaurant is very well regarded and is more expensive than most local restaurants, but also more upscale and with food that is flavorful and served in large portions, so the price may be justified.
Parral is known for its tradition of candy making, a tradition kept alive by La Gota de Miel, where you can buy a variety of regional sweets, mostly based on leche quemada (a caramel made of sweetened scorched milk). Great place to get some edible souvenirs.
By bus
Grupo Estrella Blanca operates 3 buses per day on its Valle de Guadiana bus line from Chihuahua to Parral. The 3-hour trip costs about M$400. Omnibus de Mexico also serves Parral.
By car
Parral is 227 km south of Chihuahua using federal highway MEX-24.
Parral is a busy place, but walking is a bit confusing in the downtown (Centro) area, where backstreets cluster in pockets around the constantly twisting route of the Rio Parral. Nearly 20 bridges cross the river.
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