McAllen

Green jays, chachalacas, and hummingbirds you would otherwise only see in Mexico flit through the gardens here – the Rio Grande Valley is considered one of the best birdwatching regions in the U.S. A trip to McAllen in the far south of Texas combines nature with a culture strongly shaped by Mexico, palm-lined avenues, and a mild winter climate.

Border City in the Valley

McAllen was founded in the early 20th century with the arrival of the railroad and is named after the landowner John McAllen. Irrigation from the Rio Grande turned the area into fertile farmland for citrus fruit, onions, and vegetables; the red grapefruit from the Valley is known nationwide. With free trade, McAllen grew into a trade and shopping hub for customers from both countries. Neighboring Reynosa on the Mexican side can be reached via a bridge. The vast majority of the population has Mexican roots, and Spanish is heard everywhere in daily life.

Sights in McAllen

Quinta Mazatlán, an adobe-style mansion from the 1930s, is now a nature center with woodland trails where you can watch birds and butterflies. The McAllen Nature Center and the nearby Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge are among the stops on the World Birding Center, a network of nature preserves in the Valley. The International Museum of Arts & Science showcases folk art from Mexico as well as science exhibits. In downtown, Main Street and Archer Park invite you to stroll. At Christmastime, the big parade is one of the highlights.

Eating and Going Out in McAllen

Valley cuisine is Tex-Mex in its most authentic form: fajitas, barbacoa on Sunday mornings, tamales, carne guisada, and breakfast tacos. Add to that raspas, shaved ice with fruit syrup, and fresh grapefruit juice. 17th Street in downtown forms a small nightlife strip with bars, live music, and restaurants that stay open late. Shopping centers and outlet malls draw large numbers of visitors from Mexico.

Nature in the Rio Grande Valley

The Valley sits on the border of two climate zones and is therefore unusually rich in species: hundreds of bird species have been spotted here, including many that don't occur farther north. In Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, trails lead through riverside gallery forests, and in fall you can watch the raptor migration from an observation tower. The Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco are also part of the World Birding Center. Butterfly lovers visit the National Butterfly Center in Mission, where numerous butterfly species flutter about.

Getting Around McAllen and Best Time to Visit

McAllen International Airport is just a few minutes south of downtown and has connections to Houston and Dallas. Buses run within the city, but a car is handy for the nature parks. The best time to visit is winter, when many retirees from the north arrive as "Winter Texans" and migratory birds stop to rest; summer is very hot. Day trips lead to South Padre Island on the Gulf, to Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, and to the historic small town of Roma. If you plan to travel to Reynosa, check the current safety advisories, as the state of Tamaulipas is considered a high-risk area.