About the Laredo Cultural District
Laredo, truly a city on the edge of two nations, embracing two languages and cultures simultaneously. She is alive, riddled with timeless energy that ignites a cultural spell that is unique to its Cultural District. As historic as our streets, as vibrant and rich as she permeates, she also has much work to accomplish and celebration on her horizon. Two thousand twenty is emblematic for Laredo – the 265th Anniversary of the City of Laredo, the 180th Republic of the Rio Grande and the 40th Anniversary of the Webb County Heritage Foundation. This year continues many of our rich traditions in addition to uniting and pledging our creative minds and hands in restoring and embracing our unique cultural heritage, while supporting the revitalization and growth of our historic, cultural and creative assets.
MISSION
Promote creative and cultural attractions by engaging artistic, commercial and education entities.
VISION
Bridging Cultural Communities
Our district unites three distinct areas:
AVENIDA SAN BERNARDO
Alongside AVENIDA SAN BERNARDO, trucks load up Mexican metal work and pottery, rustic and regional furniture. Locals nourish at Mexican cafes, visit food trucks alongside vintage motels, and informal art spaces entice all. This avenue has jumpstarted the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Parade since 1939, hosts the Christmas parade, as well as live music venues and pop-up markets, which make this eclectic street a treasure trove of fascination.
EL CENTRO
EL CENTRO encompasses 94 tight-knit blocks including the Central Business District, Arts and Entertainment District (including the bar and restaurant scene known as IT Street), San Agustin de Laredo Historical District and Laredo Main Street all nestled in beautiful turn of the century buildings hosting storefronts, money exchanges and local restaurants. The heart, the LAREDO CENTER FOR THE ARTS, hosts cultural, artistic and theatrical presentations, classes and workshops. At the river’s edge, the TRES LAREDOS PARK overlooks our sister city of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and our greatest environmental asset, the Rio Grande River. This park is often host to weekend picnics and the annual JAMBOOZIE festival, while historic museums, tree-lined plazas and narrow streets call one to come explore.
FORT MAC
Take the trolley or drive across the train bridge to FORT MAC, which encompasses a nationally recognized historic district, the former Army base, Fort McIntosh (1849-1946). The fort established to guard the Texas frontier at the site of a strategic river crossing. Now home to Laredo College, and organizations such as the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) and the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center, which contains representations of the Rio Grande ecosystem and live specimens of plant and animal life. The campus also boasts the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine and Performing Arts Center, an arts gallery and Laredo’s oldest nature trail, THE PASO DEL INDIO, which takes you birdwatching, biking and hiking.
About Us
The Laredo Cultural District seeks to celebrate our rich traditions by uniting our creative minds to restore and embrace our unique cultural heritage, while supporting the revitalization and growth of our historic, cultural, and creative assets.
Contact Us
info@laredoculturaldistrict.com
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Laredo Cultural District 