The twin cities of Laredo, Texas and
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, which celebrate their 250th anniversary in 2005,
are situated on the banks of the Rio Grande. Laredo, which has a population
of 190,000, has been governed under seven national flags. Nuevo Laredo has a
burgeoning population that exceeds 300,000. The twin cities are collectively
referred to as Dos Laredos. The weather is moderate in winter months
(average temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, 20 degrees Celsius) but
sizzling in mid-summer (100F/39C). This city is the commercial hub of the
South Texas Plains, which is primarily an agricultural region. It offers
entertainment, education, and cultural resources that fit well with its
Hispanic heritage. Laredo is one of the fastest growing cities in the United
States.Get around
El Metro is
the city's municipal bus service, offering scheduled routes as well as
paratransit services. Laredo is quite spread out, so car rental is an
attractive local transportation alternative.
Attractions
Historic attractions in old Laredo include Plaza San Augustine (where
various dance, music and crafts festivals take place throughout the year),
the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, and El Mercado, the old city hall.
Dining
Southwestern and Mexican cuisine restaurants abound in Laredo. Here are
two examples:
• La Barranca, 107 Calle del Norte at Fountain Center, Tel.
956-718-9955, closed Sundays
• El Tesoro Club, 1000 Zaragoza, in
La Posada Hotel, Tel.
956-722-1701, is famous for its Sunday brunch.
• El Pescador, 207 Shiloh Drive, Tel. 956-725-8207, and 3919 San
Dario, Tel. 956-724-8958 specializes in Mexican seafood
Lodging
Numerous national hotel chains have Laredo properties, including
Courtyard by Marriott, Days Inn, Embassy Suites, Fairfield Inns, Hampton
Inn, Holiday Inn, LaQuinta, Motel Six and Red Roof.
Get out
Day trips by car can take you to Zapata TX (less than 1 hour to the
south) for hunting, fishing and nature observation/birding; and to Kingville
TX (less than two hours to the east) a ranching heritage town, and home of
the King Ranch Museum . Cross over the
bridge to Nuevo Laredo and visit nearby San Ygnacio, Camargo City, Ciudad
Mier, Ciudad Miguel Aleman and Ciudad Diaz Ordaz for a taste of Mexican
history, environment and lifestyles.
Links
Official City Link |
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Get in
Laredo is accessible by car via Interstate highway I-35, and highways US
59 and US 83. I-35 is the US portion of the Pan American Highway that
stretches from Central America to Canada.
Laredo International
Airport has scheduled air connections to Dallas/Fort Worth (50 minutes),
Houston (Texas) (50 Minutes) and Mexico City (90 minutes) via American
Eagle, Continental Express and Azteca airlines.
Activities
Wildlife game abound in south Texas, so Laredo is a popular destination
for hunters and fishermen. Birders can spot the Great Kiskadee, White-tipped
Dove, Green Jay, Scrub Jay, Red-billed Pigeon, Audubon's Oriole and possibly
the White-Collared Seedeater in the region.
Shopping
Mexican souvenirs and crafts are plentiful in local marts. For example,
visit Marti's for antiques,
furnishings, folk art, jewelry, ceramics and local art.
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