The Best Things To Do In Laredo, Texas

Located on the Rio Grande River just a few miles from Mexico, Laredo is a city steeped in two colorful cultures. The town was founded in 1755 and its location near the US-Mexico border in the heart of South Texas gives it a unique mashup of Texan, Mexican, and American cultures. From the food to the language to the art, you’ll find the best of both worlds here. With several historic districts, excellent shopping, and ideal ambiance for outdoor pursuits like birding, fishing, and hiking, Laredo is a prime destination for a weekend away. Here’s your travel guide to Laredo, Texas.

What To Do In Laredo, Texas

The streets of Laredo are as storied as they come. The city is home to more than a half-dozen historic districts, each with its own flavor and list of landmarks to see. Start your visit by taking a self-guided walking tour to see some of the highlights of each, from the towering spire of San Agustin Cathedral in the city’s oldest neighborhood to state archaeological landmark Fort McIntosh. Continue your exploration into Laredo’s fascinating history by checking out the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, the Laredo Water Museum (where you can learn about the significance of the Rio Grande River), or the Republic of Rio Grande Museum (a historic house museum where you can see what Laredo was like in the days of its founding). Don’t leave town without stopping into Casa Ortiz in downtown Laredo. The circa-1830 building offers gorgeous gardens and stunning views of the Rio Grande and Mexico.  

But Laredo isn’t all about the past. See the talents and passions of modern-day locals at the Laredo Center for the Arts, a gallery, exhibition center, and community gathering space dedicated to the arts. Spend an afternoon exploring San Bernardo Avenue, a span of 40 city blocks where you’ll find unique import shops as well as a plethora of handcrafted Mexican goods from pottery and art to clothing. While you walk, be sure to take note of the more than 40 murals that add to the local color and character of Laredo’s neighborhoods.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Laredo has plenty to offer as well. Birding is huge in Laredo. The city is home to hundreds of species of local and migratory birds, including the Scaled Quail, Green Parakeet, Altamira Oriole, and four species of Kingfishers. Trails, nature preserves, ranches, and state parks across town provide great places to get in on the action. In fact, Las Palmas Nature Trail is actually a designated Birding Sanctuary and natural landmark. If you visit in February, you can join a guided birdwatching trip as part of the annual Laredo Birding Festival.

One of the best places to take in Laredo’s natural beauty is at Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, part of South Texas Brush Country. Here, you can see brush plants like the honey mesquite, as well as desert cacti like the prickly pear, which happens to be the state plant of Texas. When you need to cool off, you have the expansive Casa Blanca Reservoir to swim in, boat at, or fish around.

While in Laredo, don’t miss the opportunity to catch the Tecos baseball team in action, they’re the only fully binational professional baseball team in the world.

Where To Eat In Laredo, Texas

Authentic Mexican is a must in Laredo and there are plenty of great places to get it. At La India Herbs and Spices you can order scratch-made mole chicken with charro beans and rice, or a quarter of mesquite grilled chicken seasoned with La India’s secret spice blend. After lunch, visit the shop and pick up your own blend to take home as a souvenir. Homestyle eats are the name of the game at El Meson de San Agustin and La Finca. Order the albondigas in chipotle or a steaming bowl of homemade soup to warm the soul at El Meson. At La Finca menudo and enfrijoladas share space on a menu with French toast and bacon. For more casual eats, try El Capataz for Mexican-inspired snacks like ceviche and salmon with nopalita salad. And for an upscale dinner out, head to Tabernilla where chef and native Laredoan Roberto Gonzalez dreams up modern Spanish-inspired tapas to accompany housemade sangria, cocktails, and live music.

When you’re all tapped out on Mexican cuisine, there are plenty of other options. Golondria Food Park, Laredo’s first food park featuring chef-driven food trucks, two full-service bar, and and in indoor food hall, offers plenty to choose from. Order a flatbread at El Horno Pizzeria, a burger at Nomada, sweet-spicy-sour chamoy snacks at Picate Mucho, or have all four. Other places to check out include Kaitod Thai Kitchen for authentic Thai, Magnolia Café for a little taste of everything, or Culture Social Bar for upscale pub eats.

If it’s a stiff beverage you’re hoping for, check out Laredo Brewing Company, Saludos Brewing, and Cultura Beer Garden for ice-cold craft brews or Café Radical for a healthy selection of natural wines and small-batch local coffee.

Where To Stay In Laredo, Texas

Laredo’s only Four Diamond property, the historic La Pasado Hotel is an icon in the city and one of the best places to stay. The sprawling property in the center of downtown has two tropical pools, two restaurants, and several VIP suites. For a more intimate experience, book a room at the Laredo Mansion, a renovated historic home with four suites and a to-die-for wraparound porch.

Other options include the Rialto Hotel, a modern hotel downtown, and Laredo Safari and Adventure Park, where you can stay in a cabin while you hang with giraffes, zebras, bison, and other safari animals.