Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Laredo (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Gateway to the Americas International Bridge, Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, and Cathedral of San Agustin. Also, be sure to include Texas Mexican Railway International Bridge in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Laredo (Texas).
Table of Contents
Gateway to the Americas International Bridge
Box girder bridge in Laredo, Texas. The Gateway to the Americas International Bridge is one of four vehicular international bridges located in the cities of Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, that connect the United States and Mexico over the Rio Grande. It is owned and operated by the City of Laredo and the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes. It is also known as Laredo International Bridge 1.[1]
Republic of the Rio Grande Museum
Museum in Laredo, Texas. Republic of the Rio Grande Museum is a historic house museum located in the downtown San Agustin de Laredo Historic District in Laredo, Texas, United States, next to the historic La Posada Hotel and San Agustín Cathedral. The Mexican vernacular structure was built in 1830 as a house with an addition in 1860. Among the people who have lived there was prominent rancher Bartolomé García, who was also one of Laredo's mayors, and who is a descendant of the town founder, Tomas Sanchez.
Once the Republic of the Rio Grande capitol building, it now showcases memorabilia from the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande and displays pictures, books, and furniture from the 19th century Laredo area. There are three restored rooms re-creating an authentic 1830 home in Laredo; an office and sitting area, a bedroom, and a kitchen. Because of this Republic, Laredo had flown seven flags instead of the traditional Six flags over Texas.
The museum is operated by the Webb County Heritage Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization chartered in 1980 to promote historic preservation, education, and tourism. The museum offers guided tours for school age children and adults year-round.[2]
Address: 1005 Zaragoza St, 78040-5940 Laredo (Downtown Nuevo Laredo)
Cathedral of San Agustin
Building in Laredo, Texas. The Cathedral of San Agustin is the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Laredo, Texas. It is located at 214 San Bernardo Avenue in the heart of the downtown area in the San Agustin Historical District. The present church building dates from 1872. The bishop is James Anthony Tamayo. As of 2000, the cathedral was the mother church for 289,415 Catholics in the diocese.[3]
Address: 908 Grant St, 78040-5812 Laredo (Downtown Nuevo Laredo)
Texas Mexican Railway International Bridge
Truss bridge. The Texas Mexican Railway International Bridge is an international railway bridge across the Rio Grande and U.S.-Mexico border between Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, the only rail link between these cities. Owned and operated by Texas Mexican Railway and Kansas City Southern de México, the single-track bridge is the busiest rail border crossing in North America. It is also known as the Laredo International Railway Bridge and Puente Negro.[4]
Border Heritage Museum
Border crossing, Museum
Address: 810 Zaragoza St, Laredo (Downtown Nuevo Laredo)
Webb County Courthouse
Courthouse. The Webb County Courthouse is located in Laredo in the U.S. state of Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.[5]
Laredo World Trade Port of Entry
The Laredo World Trade Port of Entry is located at the World Trade International Bridge. It was built in 2000 in an effort to relieve traffic from the congested downtown Laredo bridges. All of Laredo's cross-border commercial vehicle traffic uses this Port of Entry, as the other Laredo bridges prohibit trucks. Passenger vehicles and pedestrians are not permitted to use this crossing.[6]
San Agustin de Laredo Historic District
The San Agustin de Laredo Historic District is a historical district that covers what was once the original city of Laredo, Texas that was established by Don Tomás Sánchez. Today, the district is located in Downtown Laredo. The San Agustin District is home to San Agustin Cathedral and to the Republic of the Rio Grande Capitol. Most of the district's streets are made from bricks. Most of the buildings in the district reflect Spanish and Mexican influences and are made from masonry. The district is considered the last example of Spanish Colonization of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The San Agustin de Laredo Historic District is registered in the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. Its historic significance is Architecture and Engineering. Its architectural style is Mission, Spanish Revival, and Greek Revival.[7]
Laredo Convent Avenue Port of Entry
The Laredo Convent Avenue Port of Entry is located at the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge. Since 1889, a bridge connected Laredo, Texas with Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas at this location. For many years, this was the only crossing for vehicular and pedestrian traffic between the two cities.[8]
Laredo United States Post Office
Building in Laredo. The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse is a historic government building located in Laredo in Webb County, Texas. It previously served as a custom house and a courthouse for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. It continues to serve as a post office.[9]
Laredo Juarez–Lincoln Port of Entry
The Laredo Juarez–Lincoln Port of Entry is an international port of entry inspection station on the Mexico–United States border between Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. Sometimes referred to as Bridge II, it is located at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge.
The station was built in 1976, primarily to divert truck traffic from the congested Gateway to the Americas International Bridge. However, it too was soon overwhelmed with traffic. Currently, all trucks are inspected at Bridges III and IV, leaving only passenger vehicles and buses crossing at this location.[10]