Ciudad Victoria
Originally, the state capital was called Nuevo Santander, la Villa de Santa María de Aguayo. Today it is called Victoria City in honor of the first president of Mexico, Guadalupe Victoria. It became the state's capital in 1825 and started on the road to progress and culture.
Today, the city is large and modern, commercially active and is recognized for its educational institutions. Its central axis is the traditional Hidalgo Street with its plaza of the same name crowned with a beautiful quarry kiosk. Only steps from the plaza, is the Our Lady of Refuge Cathedral, a work of neo-classical style constructed at the end of the century and finished off with a slender tower.
A little further ahead on Hidalgo Street is the Government Palace constructed in the middle of the last century and seat of the state's power. Its art deco façade, so in vogue in the 50s, has large pillars on an ample paved terrace. The Municipal Palace with the important mural by Jorge Rosales titled "Alegoría de Tamaulipas en el Tiempo" is another interesting site to visit.
The Juárez Theater, the Tamaulipas Anthropology and History Museum, the Art House, the Ejidal Credit National Bank, the House of Campesino, the neo-classical style Sanctuary of our Lady of Guadalupe, the Vicentino Cultural Area, he Tamaulipas Institute of Culture and the Arts, and the offices of the National Institute of Anthropology and History are absolute musts when touring the city.
Other great spots are the Tamaulipas Cultural Center, the Crystal Tower, the Adolfo Ruiz Cortines Sport Complex, Tamatán Park with its recently remodeled zoo and the 21st century Tamaulipas Cultural Recreation Park.
Nuevo Laredo
Nuevo Laredo is an important border city in the country and one of the most important cities in the state. Its privileged location between Mexico and the U.S. has made it the most important customs in Latin America. Its principle economic activities are foreign trade, cargo transport and the assembly industry.
Some of the most important historical and cultural spots are: the Santo Niño Temple, the Archeological Park, Macro Bandera, the old Longoria Bank, the Federal and Municipal Palace, the old Railroad Station, the old Customs Building, the Public Clock, the Historical Archives, and the Cultural Center among others.
Among these tourist attractions you'll enjoy other activities like hunting, fine dining, and tours through the streets of the city where you'll find typical markets and a large variety of jewelry stores, shops and arts and crafts.
Nuevo Laredo has high quality services, an ample variety of restaurants and varied artistic and cultural expressions that make this one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the state.
Reynosa
Founded in 1749 by José de Escandón, the city of Reynosa is rich in petroleum. It also has a very large number of assembly plants.170 in all, employing 70,000 workers. Located in the riverside region of Rio Bravo, across from the cities of Hidalgo, Pharr and McAllen, this area is the most important area of urban economic and social development south of Texas. Reynosa is actually considered one of the top five cities in growth and development in the Republic of Mexico. It has two international bridges that connect with the U.S.
Some of the most popular attractions in the city are the Cathedral constructed on the old 19th century church, the Reynosa Historical Museum and Peatonal Hidalgo Ave. You will also find arts and crafts stores and a great opportunity to build lasting memories.
Matamoros
Matamoros was founded in 1686 under the name Congregación de los Esteros. Today it is called Mariano Matamoros, hero of Independence.
The North American Civil War (1861) was a great boom to the region (The Cotton Era) that considerably promoted its growth. The appearance of this city is very different from the other border cities because of the European and North American influences. There are great brick structures in the city with windows and blinds of wood and iron balconies.
Don't miss the Cross House, built in 1885 in the French colonial style, the Our Lady of Refuge Cathedral, the Casa Mata Museum, the Mario Pani Museum, the Agrarista Museum and, of course, the Superior Music School. Today, the great industrial and commercial development in Matamoros is thanks to the establishment of numerous assembly plants, cattle ranching and the cultivation of sorghum and maize. The city is known as "The Tamaulipan Athens" because of the cultural events that take place here.
