Guadalajara is the city of mariachi, tequila and the torta ahogada, and the easiest of them to book is the last: a food walk through the historic centre, or in the evening through the bars of Colonia Americana, is the quickest way into the city.
The other thing everyone does from here is go to Tequila, an hour and a half northwest through the blue agave fields. Day tours run every day, by van or on the Jose Cuervo Express train; the difference between them is mostly which distilleries you see — a big house like Cuervo or Sauza, or a small artisanal one. With tastings involved, it is the obvious day not to drive.
Lake Chapala and the expat town of Ajijic, forty-five minutes south, and the potters of Tlaquepaque and Tonalá on the edge of the city, are the other standard days.