Activity	Description
San Agustin Cathedral	Historic cathedral with beautiful architecture and Mass services
Laredo Center for the Arts	Art exhibits, classes, and sculpture garden
Lake Casa Blanca State Park	Outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and hiking
Outlet Shoppes at Laredo	Shopping center with over 100 brand outlets
Mexican Markets	Local markets offering crafts, produce, and souvenirs
Sames Auto Arena	Venue for sports, concerts, and events
Laredo Nightlife	Bars, clubs, and live music on San Bernardo Avenue
El Cenizo House	Museum depicting life in the 1840s
Rio Grande River Vega	Kayaking and nature exploration
Zaragoza Street	Pedestrian street with shops and cultural experiences
Washington’s Birthday Celebration	Month-long festival with parades and cultural events
National Border Patrol Museum	Museum showcasing the history of the Border Patrol

But as the largest inland port on the Mexican border, this south Texas city also has deep roots in the cowboy way of life. Experience a fusion of cultures in Laredo through its attractions, cuisine and annual festivals. Here are the top 12 things to do when visiting this unique border city.

San Agustin Cathedral

Name and Location: San Agustin Cathedral, located in downtown Laredo, Texas

History and Significance: The cathedral was built in 1872 in a Gothic Revival style. It is the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Laredo and its tall bell towers make it a recognizable landmark in the city.

What to Expect: Visitors can tour the historic cathedral and see its ornate interior, statues, and stained glass windows. Mass is held daily.

Visitor Information: The cathedral is open daily and there is no admission fee. Proper attire is required and photos/videos are allowed.

The centerpiece of downtown Laredo is the stunning San Agustin Cathedral. With its white stucco facade, twin bell towers and domed ceiling intricately painted with religious icons, this historic cathedral exudes both beauty and spirituality.

Attend Mass conducted in both Spanish and English or simply walk through to admire the scale and craftsmanship of the structure, completed in 1872. Don’t miss the elaborate marble tomb thought to contain the remains of Mexican general Antonio Canales Rosillo, who fought for Texas independence.

Laredo Center for the Arts

Name and Location: Laredo Center for the Arts, in downtown Laredo close to the Rio Grande riverbank

History and Significance: This arts complex opened in 2017 in a historic railroad depot. It hosts art exhibits, classes, performances and more.

What to Expect: Rotating art exhibits, live music and theater, art classes for all ages, artisan gift shop and cafe.

Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Sunday, free admission. Parking available on site.

Enrich your artistic knowledge with a stop at the Laredo Center for the Arts. Housed in a historic railway depot, this center features rotating visual arts exhibits plus an interactive children’s gallery. Sign up for a pottery or painting class in the expansive studio spaces.

Wander through the Art in the Garden area, where sculptures from local artists are showcased amid cacti and native plants. With its mix of indoor and outdoor activities, the Laredo Center for the Arts appeals to all ages.

Lake Casa Blanca International State Park

Name and Location: Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, on the outskirts of Laredo close to the Rio Grande.

History and Significance: This state park surrounds a large reservoir popular for fishing, boating, hiking and camping. The lake was formed in 1954.

What to Expect: Outdoor recreation including fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, hiking trails, mountain biking, camping.

Visitor Information: Open daily. Entrance fees apply. Camping reservations recommended.

Pack a picnic and spend the day lounging under shade trees on the shore of Lake Casa Blanca. Within the state park, you can fish, boat, swim and hike miles of trails. Learn about the wildlife native to south Texas, like roadrunners, white-tailed deer and Rio Grande Chirping Frogs.

Tour the 1860s style home once belonging to prominent Laredo rancher B.P. Newman and imagine life in the late 19th century. With outdoor recreation and historic interest, Lake Casa Blanca International State Park offers an engaging experience of Laredo’s natural beauty.

Outlet Shoppes at Laredo

Name and Location: Outlet Shoppes at Laredo, large outlet mall located off I-35 on the north side of Laredo.

History and Significance: Opened in 2006, this is Laredo’s largest outlet shopping destination with over 140 brand name stores.

What to Expect: Shopping for clothing, shoes, home goods at discounted outlet prices. Brands include Nike, Coach, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Brooks Brothers.

Visitor Information: Open daily. Free parking available. Website has store directory and sales/events.

For some retail therapy, the Outlet Shoppes at Laredo are the ideal destination. Just minutes from the Mexican border, this outdoor shopping center contains over 100 name brand outlet stores, from apparel to housewares.

Shop favorites like Nike, Kate Spade, and Restoration Hardware at discounted prices. Refuel with a meal at one of the restaurants like Chipotle or Texas Roadhouse. Don’t forget to bring an extra empty suitcase for all the bargains you’ll discover.

Mexican Markets

Name and Location: Various Mexican mercados and markets located throughout Laredo.

History and Significance: These traditional markets showcase Mexican culture, foods, crafts and more. Popular ones include Mercado Juarez and Plaza de San Agustin.

What to Expect: Shops and stalls selling Mexican imports, baked goods, produce, arts/crafts. Bustling environment with music and food vendors.

Visitor Information: Hours vary by market. Free to walk around, street parking available. Cash recommended for purchases.

Make sure to visit one of Laredo’s colorful and bustling Mexican mercados, or markets. You’ll find authentic handicrafts like pottery, artisan jewelry and embroidered textiles. Select fresh produce like chiles and tomatillos to recreate the tastes of Mexico at home.

Piñatas and toys make for perfect Mexican themed souvenirs. Take your time browsing the vibrant goods from all the friendly vendors for a true taste of Mexican culture.

Sames Auto Arena

Name and Location: Sames Auto Arena in central Laredo, near the Rio Grande river.

History and Significance: This large event venue opened in 2002 and hosts concerts, sporting events, trade shows and more. Home arena for the Laredo Bucks ice hockey team.

What to Expect: Concerts by famous musicians and bands, ice hockey games, rodeos, monster truck rallies, WWE wrestling events, family shows. Full concession stands.

Visitor Information: Ticket prices vary by event. Parking available around venue.

Laredo’s premier indoor venue, Sames Auto Arena hosts exciting sporting events, big name concerts and other forms of entertainment. See professional hockey with the Laredo Bucks ice hockey team. Country, rock, and Latin pop performers like Blake Shelton, Ricardo Arjona and Intocable have graced the stage.

Cirque du Soleil, monster trucks and WWE wrestling have also paid a visit. With over 10,000 seats, the arena offers top notch entertainment you’d expect in a much larger city.

Laredo nightlife

Name and Location: Bars, clubs and live music venues scattered around downtown Laredo.

History and Significance: Laredo has a lively nightlife scene, from casual sports bars to hip clubs. The historic St. Peter’s Plaza is a popular nightlife hub downtown.

What to Expect: A range of bars with drinks, dancing, live bands and DJs. Some popular spots are epocha lounge, Bart’s, The New Zone, The Cold Brew.

Visitor Information: Most places open evenings, especially Thursday-Saturday. Cover charges may apply.

When the sun goes down, get a taste of Laredo nightlife. For live music and dancing, wander down San Bernardo Avenue in the historic St. Peter’s district. Popular spots like TKO Sports Bar and Eros Night Club feature DJs spinning everything from Top 40 to Latin pop.

If you prefer to grab a drink, head to one of Laredo’s rooftop bars like Cosmic Cowboy or The Royal Bar for amazing views and chill ambiance. End your night feasting on a hearty botana (appetizer) platter at one of the local restaurants.

El Cenizo House

Name and Location: Historic El Cenizo House in central Laredo, near St. Peter’s Plaza.

History and Significance: This handsome Victorian home was built in 1910. One of Laredo’s historic architectural gems.

What to Expect: Guided tours of the historic home and gardens. View antique furnishings, artwork, learn about Laredo history. Gift shop onsite.

Visitor Information: Open for guided tours Wed-Sat. Nominal admission fee. Reservations recommended.

Step back into the 1840s at this historic house museum painstakingly restored to depict early Laredo living. Built of adobe and now run by the Webb County Heritage Foundation, El Cenizo House gives you a window into the past with period furnishings and decor.

Walk through the kitchen, sleeping quarters, and tradespeople work rooms to imagine life as an early Laredo settler. Outside you’ll find native plants, crops and animals of the era. Guides provide insight into the city’s rich history and development.

Rio Grande River Vega

Name and Location: The Rio Grande riverbanks on the Vega inside Laredo.

History and Significance: The Rio Grande has long been the lifeblood of Laredo. The riverwalk “vega” offers views of the river and sister city Nuevo Laredo.

What to Expect: Walking trails, benches and outlooks along the riverbanks. Scenic views of the river and Mexico. Birdwatching.

Visitor Information: Accessible daily. Stay on marked pathways. Exercise caution around water.

For beautiful views and a taste of adventure, schedule a kayaking trip along the Rio Grande with a tour company like Rio Grande Outfitters. Paddling down the river you’ll spot all types of birds like great blue herons, as well as turtles basking on logs.

Float past small Mexican villages and the rugged wilderness beyond the border fences. Multi-day trips are also available that camp right on the river banks under the sweeping south Texas night skies. Any excursion on the Rio Grande offers fresh perspectives of Laredo’s natural landscape.

Zaragoza Street

Name and Location: Zaragoza Street in central Laredo, near San Agustin Plaza.

History and Significance: This pedestrian-only avenue features historic buildings and is the heart of downtown’s shopping and arts district.

What to Expect: Shops, restaurants, historic buildings, sidewalk cafes and public art. Festivals held here.

Visitor Information: Accessible daily. Closest parking Jarvis Plaza garage. Explore on foot.

Wandering down the pedestrian-only Zaragoza Street, you’ll be immersed in sights, sounds and foods of Mexican culture. Explore the colorful shops packed with traditional crafts, leather goods, paper flowers and more. Listen to mariachi bands playing in the plaza areas.

Snack on freshly fried churros, elote (roasted corn) or spicy mangonadas (fruit popsicles). With historic buildings housing vibrant businesses, Zaragoza Street encapsulates Laredo’s Mexican American spirit. Don’t forget to barter for the best prices!

Washington’s Birthday Celebration

Name and Location: Month-long event held in Laredo in February. Various locations around the city.

History and Significance: Laredo’s largest annual festival started in 1898. Pays tribute to George Washington with parades, concerts, carnival rides, and more.

What to Expect: Parades, live music, food vendors, carnival midway, jalapeño festival, princess pageant, sporting events.

Visitor Information: Event calendars online. Most events free to attend, some ticketed. Hotel bookings recommended.

Each February, Laredo hosts the month-long Washington’s Birthday Celebration, one of the largest of its kind in the country. Events include parades, a carnival, concerts, a jalapeño festival and more.

The big draw is the lively two-nation Society of Martha Washington Colonial Pageant and Ball, where debutantes from Mexico and Texas come together in an elaborate reenactment of George Washington’s era. With its unique mix of cultures and traditions, this signature Laredo festival provides endless entertainment.

National Border Patrol Museum

Given Laredo’s location on the border, no trip here is complete without visiting the National Border Patrol Museum. Fascinating exhibits detail the history of the Border Patrol from its inception in 1924 to present day, including the evolution of technology and equipment used to secure the borders.

Artifacts, vehicles, photographs and compelling stories provide insight into the risks faced by agents. The extensive collection documents this deeply important agency and its role within Laredo.

Conclusion

Between its Mexican cultural influences and rugged Texas spirit, Laredo offers visitors one-of-a-kind experiences unmatched by anywhere else. Festivals, markets, historic sites, and recreational activities highlight the blend of traditions found in this border city.

From the bustling shops of Zaragoza Street to the waters of the Rio Grande, you’ll gain an appreciation for the vibrant communities that call Laredo home. Whether retracing history or making your own through outdoor adventures, foodie explorations and cultural encounters, Laredo’s welcoming character and diversity will stay with you long after you leave.