Allstate Insurance Agent: Mike Cortez

Come by the Sister Cities Festival for a cultural celebration featuring authentic Mexican food and dance. Vendors sell every kind of beautiful artisan crafts, from clothing to jewelry to furniture, at over 150 booths set up in the Laredo Energy Arena during this three-day period.

The historic San Augustin Plaza covers the downtown district that was the original city of Laredo. It contains historical monuments such as the Cathedral of San Agustin, the oldest building in Laredo since 1755, as well as the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum and the Border Heritage Museum. Architecture within the plaza consists of Mission, Spanish Revival and Greek Revival styles.

Take a peek at the history of Laredo and the state of Texas at the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum. Once the home of Bartolomé García, prominent rancher and mayor of Laredo, this restored house displays the style of an 1830s home and contains several artifacts from the time period.