Laredo: Wide Awake and Waiting
Written: Aug 11 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Unique culture, one of oldest settlements in Texas, historical interest, shopping bargains
Cons: Construction has disrupted many streets, public restrooms are seldom well kept
The Bottom Line: Laredo continues to be an important gateway city--not everyone will enjoy it, but you can.
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| legar's Full Review: Laredo, Texas |
Founded two hundred and fifty years ago, Laredo, Texas, sitting on the border between the United States and Mexico, claims a unique culture and an exploding economy and population, all traits that can create magic, chaos or both. Long favored for excursions “across”, to the sister city of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, violence and the drug trade have hampered tourism in the past several years, but this booming city continues to play a number of important roles for travelers, and has been my home for over 30 years now.
Very Abbreviated History: Founded by Captain Tomás Sánchez in 1755, Laredo represented a convenient crossing over the Rio Grande River into Mexico, especially for those trying to escape the Texas Rangers or other law officers of the time. In spite of outlaws and attacks by the local Apache and Comanche tribes, Laredo quickly became a center of commerce. The city on the river banks actually served as the capital of an independent Republic of the Rio Grande for the 283 days that the republic survived, trapped at it was between Texas and Mexico. A museum dedicated to the Republic of the Rio Grande is located downtown on Zaragoza Street, next to the elegant and historic La Posada Hotel, and near the San Augustin Plaza and Church. Seven flags have flown over the border city: Spain, France, The Republic of the Rio Grande, The Republic of Texas, the United States and the Confederate States of America have all claimed Laredo. Over time, Laredo evolved into a leading center of commerce, in spite of currency fluctuations, and now claims the title of the country’s leading inland port. Laredo’s economic boom has made it a key player in shopping, and malls and stores can be packed with local and visiting bargain hunters.
Some Basic Information: Streets in downtown Laredo are almost all one way, and can be confusing. They’re also narrow, and pedestrians tend to cross without warning at any given point. South Laredo is the historic focal point of Laredo, and site of the original two bridges into Mexico. Shoppers looking in “el centro” for bargain prices will find them, and some tourists still go into Nuevo Laredo to shop and/or party; see “Across” for more information.
North and East Laredo are areas of incredible growth, and most of the new, high-end homes and businesses are located at the north end of town.
Although flights into and out of Laredo are somewhat limited, the recently remodeled airport located on Bob Bullock Loop, or Loop 20, is attractive and functional. The nicely landscaped grounds pay homage to Laredo’s western heritage with large statues of two Texas Rangers and their horses, and on those admittedly few times I’ve flown in or out, or picked up visitors, there have been no problems.
The bus terminal, located in downtown Laredo on Farragut Street, provides service from local, regional and national carriers and has been well-kept up when I’ve been there, although the restrooms were closed for cleaning every single time I caught the early bus to San Antonio. Luckily, no one was actually working in the ladies’ room, and I can still get under a tape when I have to! One can wait in air-conditioned comfort for buses, or walk across the street to visit Jarvis Plaza, with its tributes to American war veterans.
Laredo is predominantly Hispanic, and Spanish is the first language of many of the residents, especially in social situations and in south or central Laredo. English is generally spoken, however, in areas frequented by visitors.
Accommodations and Restaurants: It’s hard to imagine what hotel or restaurant chains are either not already here in Laredo or on the way. From its reputation not so long ago as a “sleepy” town, Laredo’s population has exploded, and franchises and chains have poured in.
From the elegant and historical La Posada downtown, overlooking beautiful (and historical) San Augustin plaza, to newcomers Embassy Suites and Fairfield Inns and Suites by Marriot, hotels and motels abound. At one time, San Bernardo Avenue, which runs north and south, was known as “Restaurant Row,” and boasted most of the fast food chains and several of the low to mid-priced accommodations. Holiday Inn Civic Center and Marriott’s Courtyard, along with La Quinta, are all still very centrally located on San Bernardo Avenue, but one can find accommodations anywhere from a block away from the river to the far northern reaches of town.
Fast food giants almost all have Laredo sites, whether you want Starbucks coffee, a Subway or McDonald’s. Pizza is popular, and there are a number of extremely popular Chinese restaurants, such as Linn’s, located on N. I-35. Seafood lovers can find chains like Red Lobster or Long John Silver’s, or try Laredo’s own El Pescador Mariscos, which grew from nothing to a central and a northern location. (Note: avoid sea food establishments during Lent unless you have hours for service!) Taco Palenque and El Rancho: Su Majestad El Taco, originally from Nuevo Laredo, are enormously popular for Mexican cuisine.
There are night clubs, primarily in north Laredo, but I don’t really visit clubs, and frankly, most problems on the Laredo side happen at night and around places where lots of people drink lots, so I’ll leave recommendations of night clubs to hotel staff and others who have accurate information.
Attractions and Sites: Laredo’s downtown area has several sites of historical interest, and some of the main streets have been closed and/or paved with cobblestones to capture some of its original feel. La Posada Hotel, the Museum of the Republic of the Rio Grande, and San Augustin Church are all located just blocks from International Bridge One, which is the pedestrian/car link to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
Laredo Community College located at the west end of Washington Street is a beautiful campus, and is built on the old site of Fort McIntosh, which hosted Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. I know that I personally was surprised to find out that Laredo was a battleground for Union and Confederate soldiers; I always thought more of its cowboy heritage when I first moved here. The college also hosts the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center, which displays alligators and other native animals and vegetation from South Texas. Although currently a small and somewhat limited enterprise, the Science Center has potential and continues to evolve into an interesting site for children or students of southwestern flora and fauna.
Laredo’s Lake Casa Blanca, a man made lake is popular with residents and fishermen; its grounds are a state park, and improvements (much needed improvements) are being made. My first graders visit the lake annually, to picnic; swimming areas are pretty much non-existent, but personal water craft are becoming very popular.
The Laredo Entertainment Center has hosted a number of major entertainers, and is home to the champion Laredo Bucks hockey team. Yes, hockey! Who doesn’t love the irony of hockey fanatics in a town that stays hot all year? The Laredo Broncos offer semi-pro baseball, the Laredo Lobos play arena football, and the Laredo Heat are a Premier Development League soccer team, who have made the playoffs pretty much since their inception.
Laredo’s best known celebration is the George Washington’s Birthday Celebration, which runs for a full two weeks in February. Featuring parades, debutantes portraying colonial belles or Pocahontas and her court, food, carnivals and the infamous Jalapeño Festival, rooms are often booked to capacity a year ahead of time. If you can find lodging for the celebration—you’ll have a good time. This is the biggest tribute to George Washington anywhere in the country, and it is usually extensively covered by national media.
“Across”: I would be terribly amiss if I didn’t talk about going “across” to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, because for many decades, Nuevo Laredo was the real destination of many, if not most, visitors to Laredo. Offering extremely low prices on everything from food and jewelry to alcohol and all the vices known to man, Nuevo Laredo was merely an extension of Laredo.
Famous landmarks such as the Cadillac Bar and El Rancho: Su Majestad El Taco drew tourists by the dozens, and shops, street vendors, bars and restaurants catered to visitors from the U. S. and from around the world.
In the last several years, however, Nuevo Laredo has been caught up in terrible drug wars; the violence is pervasive and very real. Some civic leaders downplay the problems in Nuevo Laredo in an effort to protect tourism, and much of the violence occurs at night and involves drug traffickers. Unfortunately, innocents have been caught up, and kidnapping has become commonplace. There are more than 40 Laredo residents currently missing in Nuevo Laredo, and I know two or three common, less than affluent families who have had someone held for ransom. These are people with small businesses who don’t appear involved in criminal activities, and while some of my husband’s relatives still live across and come and go without much concern, I consider Nuevo Laredo a place better not visited.
If you do go across—and Nuevo Laredo is in such dire straits that bargains are better than ever, in all probability—consider not going at night, alone, or to drink. Being impaired or appearing to have money is not a good idea.
Mexican federal police are trying hard to restore order, and at some time, “going across” may be the attraction it once was. For the moment, though—Laredo has much of what Nuevo Laredo does, is safer, and is the more historical of the two cities.
The destination low-down: Politicians,members from the business community, tourists to Texas wanting a complete view of the state, and shoppers will all find themselves drawn to Laredo. Expect bustle and hustle, and a mix of old and new that can be fun or overwhelming. So come with a smile, and hopefully—you’ll leave with one, too.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
legar
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Member: Leslie Garcia
Location: Laredo, Texas
Reviews written: 85
Trusted by: 20 members
About Me:
I'm an elementary school teacher, mother, and published author, currently living in Laredo, Texas.
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