Introduction, a GTO video series, and a question

[peripateo]

Greetings all!

My family is planning our first trip to GTO in early October. I am a high school Spanish teacher and have had GTO on my radar for several years now. In fact, in the textbook I use at school, there is a video series that is based in the city. The basic plot follows a mother and daughter who travel to GTO. The mother teaches at a bilingual school in San Antonio, TX and is being sent to Mexico to initiate a cultural exchange program with a school in GTO. The back story is about the mother's father, a man who immigrated to the US from Mexico under the bracero program and fought for the US in WW II. He recently died, and on his death bed, made mention of his mexican family, which was news to his American family, especially his granddaughter. What did he mean by his "mexican family?" ponders the granddaughter.

Long story short, the teacher and her daughter travel to GTO and the daughter meets a nice boy who shows her around town. Turns out, this boy has a long-lost grandfather who left Mexico long ago looking for opportunity in the more prosperous North. As you guessed it, it's the same man, and the girl and boy are actually cousins. The production quality is quite poor, but nonetheless it introduced me to GTO.

Before beginning the episodes that are shown each chapter, the textbook presents information about GTO, its popular sites and legends and local information. It also introduces a bit about SMA and Dolores Hidalgo, as they visit or make reference to those in the video.

Interestingly enough, the legend of the Callejon del Beso resonated with one of my students so much, that she was inclined to offer a presentation to her classmates about it.

If you're still reading, let me get to my point. My wife and I are bringing our almost 5 year old daughter. Now I'm sure some of you expats are grandparents, and perhaps you've hosted grandchildren in the city or have at least looked at the city through grandparent lenses. What activities and sites would you recommend for us? We are staying near Plaza Mexiamora. Any and all thoughts are welcome.