Motorbikes here are always racing traffic, and often hop up on the sidewalks, with no warning at all! Cuidado! You`ve been warned.
So after nearly being hit once or maybe five times, I headed to the pretty little nearby town of Tlaquepaque. There is a bus that goes straight from downtown Guadalajara (catch the `Tlaquepaque` marked bus anywhere on 16 de Septiembre going southbound: 9 pesos. The road turns to Ninos Heroes, get off at Independencia.)
I went, not only for it`s ridiculously intriguing name, but upon recommendation by a friend. This little `suburb` produces much of the region`s traditional arts and crafts work; it`s highlight and main (if only) draw is the eight-block radius of outdoor artisan markets and more expensive boutique shops on the streets. The colourful homes and buildings that house the boutiques give the area a real `town` feel.
There is a rather commercialized central square, the focal point of which is a partially enclosed gathering of restaurants, all sharing the same patio, that is filled with small mariachi bands even on the slowest of days. Occasionally they get bored and battle. Which really ruins the music…
If you are into appreciating beautiful craftsmanship, and get off on cute house decorations and expertly crafted doo-dads and christmas ornaments, this is the place for you. It makes a great day trip and a nice little escape from the city centre… especially for single women or groups of older female travellers, I`m sure! 
Spend the day wandering from market to market to boutique checking everything out (you will want to buy tons, beware… the prices are fabulous), and then grab a beer or a glass of wine with friends in the restaurant centre with the mariachis.
FOOD: Though the main street (Ninos Heroes where the buses come in) looks slightly uninviting, and the smaller side streets are dead, there are cheap food and snack options to be found!
There are a few cheap bulk food stores along the smaller streets, and Ninos Heroes has some great budget restaurants (very typical Méxican - yummy tacos, tortas, and quesidillas).
Dulces Regionales (fresh candy and other traditional sweets of the region) dominate the storefronts on many streets… they are very popular in this part of México (also in Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende).
If you have time to wander around for extra snacks, it is much cheaper than in Guadalajara. The market too, is cheaper than in the city centre, if you are looking for groceries and don`t mind carrying them back with you… and is just beyond the outdoor crafts market and the restaurant centre in Tlaquepaque. And may be worth a look anyway – it is the most bustling part of town!
Enjoy
