Oaxaca de Juárez, Estado de Oaxaca, Mexico

7 places in this region.

1. 

   1. Oaxacan Art

   Oaxaca is one of the largest and poorest states of Mexico, however one of the most colorful and creative in the form of folk art known as Oaxacan Wood Carvings.

2. 

   2. Casa de La Ciudad and the Biblioteca Andres Henestrosa

   Admittedly, an urban development center and a library, each stocked with only Spanish resources, don’t seem to top the list of Oaxaca’s top stops.

3. 

   3. Casa de La Cultura Oaxaqueña

   There may be no water in the fountain in the central courtyard of this ex-convent, but it bubbles nonetheless with color, creative energy and the awkward first efforts of beginning musicians.

4. 

   4. Galería Arte de Oaxaca

   When I first visited the Galería Arte de Oaxaca on a Saturday afternoon, ducking in from streets busy with slow-moving tourists.

5. 

   5. El Pochote Cineclub

   Situated beside the old stone aqueduct that once carried water to the city, El Pochote is one of a handful of public projects of Oaxacan artist Francisco Toledo.

6. 

   6. Museo De Filatelia de Oaxaca

   Filatelia may sound like Philadelphia, but don’t expect exhibitions on cheese steaks and Quakers.

7. 

   7. Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

   Housed in a compound sprawling over nearly six-square blocks at the head of Oaxaca’s historic downtown, the church of Santo Domingo is hard to miss.