Zapopan city proper makes it the second largest city in Jalisco, very close behind the population of Guadalajara proper. It is best known as being the home of the Virgin of Zapopan, an image of the Virgin Mary which was made in the 16th century. This image has been credited with a number of miracles and has been recognized by popes and even visited by Pope John Paul II. The municipality is also the home of the Centro Cultural Universitario, which contains one of the most important concert venues in Latin America and is the home of the new stadium for the C.D. Chivas de Guadalajara.

Zapopan about 7km northwest of the city centre, is the site of the Basílica de la Virgen de Zapopan, one of the most important churches in the city, much revered by the Huichol people. Pope John Paul II gave a Mass in the giant Plaza de las Américas in front of the church during a visit to Mexico in 1979; a statue commemorates the event. The Baroque temple houses a miraculous image of the Virgin: the 25cm-high figure was dedicated to the local Indians by a Franciscan missionary, Antonio de Segovia, after he had intervened in a battle between them and the conquistadors. Since then, it has been constantly venerated and is still the object of pilgrimages, especially on October 12, when several hundred thousand people gather early in the morning to march the Virgin back to the Basílica after an annual six-month tour of all the churches in Guadalajara. The small Museo Huichol Wixarica de Zapopan (Mon–Sat 9.30am–1.15pm & 3–5.45pm), an ethnographic museum, exhibits clothes and objects relating to Huichol traditions, as well as a photographic display of their modern way of life. They also sell Huichol crafts, including psychedelic yarn paintings (cuadros de estambre) and beadwork. Just east of the Plaza de las Américas, the Museo de Arte de Zapopan, Andador 20 de Noviembre 166 (Tues–Sun 10am–6pm) is Guadalajara’s best contemporary art gallery. Changing exhibitions cherry-pick the best talent from Mexico and abroad painting, sculpture, photography, video installations, you name it.

On Paseo Teopiltzintli, which was the main thoroughfare into the city, is the Arco de Ingreso a Zapopan (Entrance Arch), built by the Spanish founders of the city. It is made of quarried stone and is twenty meters high. The arch area is decorated with sculptures and the arch itself is topped with large jars and an eagle. The Paseo Teopiltzintli leads to the Plaza de las Americas, after passing the Plaza Civica. The Plaza de las Américas—Juan Pablo II Square is located in front of the Basilica of Zapopan. It is paved with pink quarried stone, and contains a stone kiosk and four large fountains. There are two large sculptures in bronze depicting the god and goddess of corn, done by Juan Méndez. A statue of John Paul II is located here also. The main walking corridor of the city is Andador 20 de Noviembre, which is lined with galleries, bars, and restaurants. On Saturdays, artists and antique dealers display their wares for sale on the walkway. The Municipal Palace was constructed in 1942 as a school. It became the seat of the municipal government in 1968, and has been remodeled several times since. The facade is decorated with reliefs. The building’s staircase contains a mural called “La Revolución Universal” (The Universal Revolution) done by Guadalajara artist Guillermo Chavez Vega in 1970. This mural depicts scenes from the French, Industrial, English, Mexican and Socialist Revolutions. It also contains images of indigenous art. The Plaza Civica or Civic Plaza is in front of the municipal palace, with a 7 metres (23 ft) flagpole and a bronze sculpture of the Mexican themed eagle devouring a serpent. The Municipal Cultural Center, built in 1979, holds exhibitions of fine art as well as theatrical and dance events. Next to it is the Plaza del Arte (Art Plaza) which is decorated with arches and columns of quarried stone and three permanent sculptures. The main mural of the building is entitled “La Historia de la Villa y la Revolución Mexicana” (The story of the village and the Mexican Revolution) painted in 1980 by Ricardo Peña. It also contains twenty three other murals done by art students over the years.

The new Estadio Omnilife football stadium of the Guadalajara's club C.D. Guadalajara is next to the Bosque de la Primavera, in the northwestern Guadalajara Metropolitan area, just off the Anillo Periferico ring road and Avenida Vallarta in Zapopan. The stadium covers 147,000 square metres (1,580,000 sq ft) and has seating for over 45,000 people. The Neoclassical style Temple of San Pedro Apóstol was finished at the end of the 19th century. The atrium has a balustrade, and contains two large crosses with reliefs carved on them. The facade of the church is made of quarried stone with buttresses that flank the portal and side walls. Inside is a sculpture of Saint Peter, done by J. Cruz de la Mora in 1931, who was a native of Zapopan. The church also contains a painting from the 17th century done by Juan Correa called “The Baptism of Jesus.” The Centro Cultural Universitario is an ongoing project among the University of Guadalajara, the Municipality of Zapopan, the state of Jalisco, and the federal government to create a major cultural venue in western Mexico. The main structure is the Auditorio Telmex, an important concert venue in Latin America. There is also the Foro Alterno (Alternate Forum) which seats 15,000 people. The project was begun in 2001, and other institutions located here include the Juan José Arreola State Library of Jalisco, the Conjunto de Artes Escenicas (Scenic Arts Complex), and the Environmental Science Museum. Galerías Theater, inaugurated in 1991 and the site of modern musicals, concerts, cultural festivals, and conventions. Museo de Arte de Zapopan (Zapopan Art Museum) presents permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as workshops. It is located in front of the Plaza Civica. Museo de Cacería Albarrán (Albarrán Hunting Museum) has a Sudanese style facade. In this museum are three halls which exhibit 270 hunting trophies from many parts of the world, some of which are the full animals but most are heads. The building is of modern design and the collection belonged to Benito Albarrán, a renowned game hunter.

Some of the historic places are: Entrance arch, Arch 20 meters high which gives access to the Paseo Teopiltzintli (maize god) and ends at the Plaza of the Americas John Paul II. Erected in memory of the founders of the city, made in gray stone sculptures and vases and eagle finials. Located on Walker November 20, surrounded by shops, restaurants, cafés and bars that are part of the nightlife of the area. Ex-Hacienda La Magdalena, Farm located north of Zapopan on the road to Colotlán. Ex-hacienda Saint Lucia, Helmet hacienda dating from 1545 with original spaces that are still standing as the household, the chapel and the tavern or tequila factory. Located 14 kilometers of Zapopan on the road to Tesistán. Finance Broom, Ex hacienda that hosted the first textile factory in Jalisco. Access is on the road to San Cristobal and 3 km take the road to Copolita, where about 2 kilometers are traveled up to the Hacienda, located in the town of Tesistán. City Hall, Built in 1942. Made of gray stone, neo-colonial, decorated with relief sculptures style. The courtyard is bordered by arches. In his ladder the work of muralist Guillermo Chavez entitled "The Revolutions of the World" is appreciated. Since 1968 is the seat of the Town Hall of Zapopan. Located on Avenida Hidalgo 151, between Emiliano Zapata and 28 January. Paseo Teopitzintli, Cobbled pedestrian walkway leading from the entrance arch to the Plaza of the Americas, through the side of the Civic Square and shopping area. The promenade extends from the confluence of the Americas, and Laureles Avila Camacho Street Avenues to Eva Briseño. Civic Square, Decorated with a bronze sculpture with the figure of an eagle devouring a snake and a flagpole 7 meters high. The space serves as a framework for civic events in the municipality. The square is located opposite the City Hall.

Religious places: Basilica of Zapopan, Architectural jewel whose construction is initiated by Franciscan friars in 1690, in honor of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception. Since its grand atrium highlighted shields, Ionic columns and spikes of large planters are observed. The main altar which houses the Virgin of Zapopan is Carrara marble. His style is colonial Doric, Gothic arches, Corinthian style facade altarpiece and plateresco.La Basilica of Zapopan is home to the Virgin of Zapopan, also known as "The General". It is the end point of the pilgrimage that takes place year after year, on October 12 by thousands of believers who worship. Chapel Nextipac, Dedicated to St. James which is held from 25 to 27 July with the traditional Dance of the Tastuanes. Nextipac is reached by taking the Federal Highway 15 Guadalajara Nogales, 9.7 kilometers in the road to Santa Lucia is taken and find this village at kilometer 4.3. Parish Church Atemajac, Located off the main square of Atemajac. Franciscan building dating from 1718, represented the shield of the order only located above the side door. A basilica with three naves, the vault is divided into seven sections half. Completed in 1795 as seen on the facade.Church of San Esteban,Construction of 1580, natural stone completely. To reach this place, take the highway Guadalajara - Saltillo to km 14.5 where the left shift is taken to the place where the town of the same name is located. Church of San Francisco de Ixcatán, Temple built by Franciscans and dedicated to its founder, St. Francis of Assisi. Located 35 in the Barranca del Río Santiago at kilometer 25 of Highway No. 54 Guadalajara Saltillo. Church of Santa Ana Tepetitlán, Chapel dating from the seventeenth century. The construction was part of a hospital staffed by Franciscans. On the facade semicircular arc seen with key sitting on pilasters of quarry. In the outer walls the sixth Station of the Cross is observed, whose sections were supported to the wall in small slabs. The presbytery is quarried. It is located in the town of Santa Ana Tepetitlán, at the height of Avenida Lopez Mateos and its junction with Periferico Sur. Museum of the Virgin of Zapopan, Annex to the Basilica of Zapopan with a display of offerings to the Virgin as well as a collection of past centuries used in articles for worship space. Parish Tesistán, Located in the center of the town of Tesistán. Neoclassical enclosure built in 1858, composed of a single nave with access into two parts, whose choir rests on three centers. On the façade an arch supported by pilasters and a clock dating from 1973 is observed. Temple of San Juan de Ocotán, Construction of the seventeenth century located in the town of the same name: beautiful work that preserves the royal shield of Spain with the Aragon and Castile emblems. You come to this place by beltway and the diversion to take PEMEX plant.

Ecotourism and natural places: Santiago River Canyon, Natural beauty also known as Canyon Oblates, stands as a vast, rugged canyon 3.5 kilometers wide, approximately 700 meters deep and 200 kilometers long. Spring Forest (Bosque la Primavera) It is a large wooded area of 30,500 hectares. In it there are 19 springs and a variety of flora, as well as several species of wildlife. This forest offers visitors a wide and varied range of opportunities for fun and recreation as are their thermal water spas, thermal water river and interpretive trails. 6 types of vegetation are located, have identified about 1,000 species of plants, noted for its abundance of land made up of orchids and a large number of fungi species many of which are edible. The current list of wildlife including 106 species of animals like deer, cougar, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, badger, hare, raccoon among others and have identified about 137 species of both resident and migratory birds like hawks can see , eagles, herons, blackbirds, quail, roadrunners, woodpeckers and many more. Therefore, the Bosque La Primavera is a representative of the biodiversity. Type of vegetation: pine forest, pine-oak forest, oak forest, pine-oak forest, tropical deciduous forest, grassland. Conservation objective: to assure the natural conditions necessary to protect significant species, groups of species, biotic communities or environmental physical characteristics requiring certain types of manipulation for their perpetuation. The controlled harvesting may be permitted. Its entrance is located at kilometer 20 of Highway No. 15 Guadalajara - Nogales, which is the entrance to the village of the same name, or the extension Avenida Mariano Otero across the South Loop. Bosque El Centinela, Reforested more than 25 years. It has a mountain bike circuit covering approximately 8 kilometers. Its vegetation is made up of eucalyptus, casuarina, pine and ash. Inhabited by different species of hawks, owl, goldfinch, gray fox, gray squirrel, vole, badger, opossum, spotted skunk, and by the group of reptiles have a lot of lizards. Here educational and survival camps, taught by the Department of Ecology and Agricultural Development are conducted. The tooth ( El Diente) Ecotourism area of giant boulders located in the Sierra de San Esteban, northeast of Zapopan. Place visited by practitioners of mountaineering, rock climbing and rappelling. Avenida Rio Blanco s / n, village of White River. Metropolitan Park ( Parque Metropolitano) Opened in February 1997 within the framework of the 455 anniversary of the founding of the Cd. Of Guadalajara. It represents one of the most important green spaces in the metropolitan area. And designated as part of the infrastructure built for the 2011 Pan American Games. It has 113 hectares of green areas free of infrastructure. Park Hours: Monday to Sunday from 6:00 to 20:00 Hrs Office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 15:00 Hrs. Parque Mirador "Dr. Atl ", Protected from where you can see the Cola de Caballo waterfall and canyon landscape Oblates platform. The park is open from 8:00 to 19:00 hours every day. Located 15 km on the highway to Saltillo. From there the waterfall known as Cola de Caballo, with a drop of about 140 meters, which joins the Arroyo Blanco and Rio Santiago finally admire. Here you can also find sculptures of famous muralist Gerardo Murillo "Dr. Atl ". Zoo and playground "Villa Fantasia", Space with playground for children 2 to 12 years, as traditional swings, seesaws, slides and slides. The animals that inhabit it are about 50 species: birds, cats, monkeys, reptiles, bears, deer, ponies, among others.Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 18:00 hrs., On Avenida Aurelio Ortega s / n, Colonia Seattle.