McAllen, Texas Visitor's Guide

McAllen is in Texas' lush lower Rio Grande Valley, noted for subtropical climate, access to Mexico and tourist facilities catering to thousands of visitors. It's a great destination for birders and other nature-oriented visitors.

Arts, Culture & Recreation
Experience McAllen, Texas

McAllen's food is not the only thing liberally seasoned by its border heritage. Much of the local entertainment finds it origins in the color, the rhythms and the zest for life of neighboring Mexico.

The Valley Symphony Orchestra plays a regular concert series and outdoor concerts are scheduled periodically in McAllen's downtown Archer Park.

An active community concerts organization brings in well-known productions, and the local arena offers the biggest names in American and Mexican entertainment. "Broadway in McAllen" is a Chamber of Commerce sponsored series and Starry Nights is an annual celebration of local art.

Also, the Creative Incubator organizes art expositions, cultural exhibits, arts and crafts exhibits and workshops, painting shows and other programs.

Christmas events include a city wide festival, a unique Christmas marketplace, a "Christmas Tree Forest" and an annual exhibit of Mexican artisans.

An International Travel Show, a Cultural Arts and Entertainment Series, nature-related lectures and a Health Fair round out the Chamber-sponsored events. In January, the Texas Citrus Fiesta offers parades, arts and craft shows, and a costume show with costumes made from Valley-grown produce.

March features McAllen's Texas Tropics Nature Festival, with nature tours, art show and other activities.

Outdoor activities are available year round during the day with lots of opportunities to let loose at night, from a quiet romantic bistro, to country western, rock-and-roll and the popular Tejano music.

Down Mexico Way
Our Friendly Neighbors to the South

Reynosa is McAllen's sister city on the Mexican side of the border and a great place to spend a few hours bargain hunting, enjoying a meal at one of many fine restaurants, or relaxing with a margarita. Shops and restaurants are within a block or two of the bridge, the main plaza is just a few blocks away and pedestrian Hidalgo Street and the Zaragoza Market are just beyond the plaza.

Bus service to all points in Mexico leaves from the station hourly. Bus tours into the interior are offered by McAllen operators, from overnight in Monterrey to two weeks in the Yucatan.

Monterrey is McAllen's closest metropolitan city and Mexico's third largest, offering superb restaurants and hotels, excellent shopping, exciting historical sights, breathtaking mountain scenery, world-class museums.

Shopping in McAllen
Find Everything You Need

Over 40 retail shopping centers make McAllen the premiere shopping city in the Valley. La Plaza Mall, downtown, Las Tiendas and North 10th Street are popular spots. Antique hunters enjoy several good antique stores sprinkled throughout the city, many specializing in Mexican antiques and furnishings.

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McAllen Main Page | Annual Events

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Visitor Information:
	McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau 1200 Ash Avenue McAllen, Texas 78550 Phone: 956-682-2871 Toll-Free: 1-877-MCALLEN Fax: 956-631-8571 Email: nmillar@mcallencvb.com Web: www.mcallencvb.com