From Wikitravel

McAllen, the City of Palms, is in the southern plains of Texas, USA. It is the largest city in Hidalgo County and the second largest city in the Rio Grande Valley after Brownsville. It is on the Rio Grande River near the border with Mexico.

[edit] Understand

The first real development in the area that would later become McAllen occurred in the 1850s. That development was led by John McAllen. In 1904 he established a town site then known as West McAllen. In 1907 a separate group of developers established a town known as East McAllen. Eventually the two towns merged and the City of McAllen was incorporated in 1911.[1]

The city has grown rapidly over the past century. In 1910 the population was about 150. As of 2008 it is estimated that the city has a population exceeding 130,000.[2] Over 80% of the city's population is Hispanic or Latino.[3]

McAllen is known for its hot weather. The summers can be really uncomfortable. Over 100 degree weather starts in May and lasts to October. In the winter months large numbers retirees from the northern United States and Canada live here. They are known as the Winter Texans.

McAllen is surrounded by several medium size towns and cities. These cities are so interconnected that they sometimes appear to be one larger city. For census purposes the federal government includes all these areas under the heading McAllen–Edinburg–Mission Metropolitan Statistical Area.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

McAllen is serviced by the McAllen-Miller International Airport (IATA: MFE), 2500 S Bicentenial Blvd #100, tel: (956) 682-910, [4]. It is serviced by:

• American Airlines, [5]. (Nonstop service to Dallas)
• Continental Airlines, [6]. (Nonstop service to Houston)
• Allegiant Air, [7] (Nonstop service to Las Vegas. Seasonal nonstop service to Orlando).

[edit] By bus

The bus station is located at 1500 W. Highway 83 in downtown McAllen. It is serviced by Greyhound which connects McAllen to all parts of the United States. There is also a number of Mexican bus companies which connect McAllen with cities throughout Mexico.[8]

[edit] By car

• US 83 - Runs east and west connecting McAllen to Brownsville and Laredo.
• US 281 - Runs north to I-37, which connects McAllen to Corpus Christi and San Antonio.
• Anzalduas International Bridge - located in nearby Hidalgo, TX connects McAllen to Reynosa, Mexico.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By car

The best way to get around McAllen is by car, and a number of rental car companies can be found at the airport.

[edit] By bus

McAllen Express Transit (MET) is the name of the bus system that serves McAllen. These buses run from 6:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Saturday.[9]

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Attractions

• Basilica Of Our Lady Of San Juan Del Valle-National Shrine - located in nearby San Juan, TX. [10]
• Klement's Grove - A citrus grove and country store located at 4508 N Taylor Rd. Here you can buy a wide range of citrus fruits or pick your own in their grove. You can also buy their homemade citrus juices, dressings, sauces, and more.[11]
• McAllen Convention Center - A large convention facility that hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year. Located at 700 Convention Center Blvd on the corner of S Ware and W Expressway 83. The convention center is surrounded by a variety of shops and restaurants.[12]
• Quinta Mazatlan - This is a beautiful country estate located close to the airport at 600 Sunset Avenue. Visitors can tour the home and the 15 acres of land that surround it. The property is full of plantlife native to South Texas. This is also a great location for bird watchers. [13]
• Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge - located in nearby Alamo, TX. This is a 2,088 acre wildlife refuge along the banks of the Rio Grande River. It is home to plant and animal life native to South Texas. Another great location for bird watchers.[14]
• The Zone - An amusment park on 2600 W Expressway 83. Attractions include miniture golf, go carts, bumper boats, batting cages, and video games.[15]

[edit] Museums

• Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum - Tour the pumphouse built in the early 20th that irrigated 70,000 acres of land in South Texas with water from the Rio Grande River. This pumphouse made the area's citrus groves possible. Located in nearby Hidalgo, TX. Great location for birdwatchers.[16]
• International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) - located at 1900 Nolana Ave.[17]
• Museum of South Texas History - located in nearby Edinburg, TX. [18]

[edit] Parks

The City of McAllen has 25 city parks.[19]

• Airport Park - 2201 S. 26th St.
• Archer Park - 101 N. Broadway
• Balboa Park - 2611 Covina
• Cascade Park - 1000 Bales Rd.
• Daffodil Park - 4200 Daffodil
• Doc Neuhaus Park - 700 Dallas
• Escandon Park - 2021 S. 19th St.
• Fireman's Park - 201 N. 1st St.
• Frontage Park - 1901 Oakland
• Garza Park - 2601 Lark
• Hackberry Park - 417 Hackberry
• Idela Park - 3500 Idela
• Las Palmas Park - 2500 Quince
• La Vista Park - 100 La Vista
• Lions Park - 1201 N. 12th St.
• Los Encinos Community Park - 2900 Sarah
• Municipal Park - 1921 N Bicentennial Blvd.
• Palm City Park - 2601 S 22nd St.
• Palm View Park - 3411 Jordan
• Retama Village Park - 2500 Laurel
• Robin Park - 1100 Robin
• Schupp Park - 1300 Zinnia
• Springfest Park - 3501 S 23rd St.
• Suarez Park - 409 S 27th St.
• Western Park - 110 N. 16th St.
• Westside Park - 1000 S Ware Rd.

[edit][add listing] Do

Art Walk - The McAllen Art Walk is a self-guided tour of art galleries along Main Street between Business 83 to the south and Pecan Avenue to the north. These events take place on the first Friday of every month from September to May from 6pm - 10pm. In addition to viewing the galleries visitors will find vendors selling food and other items, and live street performances. The Art Walk is free and open to the public.[20]

Birdwatching - McAllen and the entire Rio Grande Valley is a great place to enjoy birdwatching. More than 500 species of birds have been spotted in the area. Visit the World Birding Center website to find great birdwatching locations: http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/

BorderFest - This is an annual celebration which takes place during the month of March at the Dodge Arena in nearby Hidalgo, TX. There are live performances, car shows, amusement rides, food and drinks. Each year there is a different theme for BorderFest. In 2008 the theme was 'Celebrate China.' [21]

PalmFest - An annual festival that celebrates the unique culture and history of Deep South Texas. Takes place every October at the McAllen Convention Center.

Texas Citrus Festival - Takes place every January in nearby Mission, TX. Celebrates the area's citrus crops. Contact the Mission Chamber of Commerce for more details (800) 580-2700

Valley Symphony Orchestra & Chorale - perform concerts throughout the year. Concerts usually held at the McAllen Convention Center, or the UTPA Fine Arts Center in Edinburg, TX.[22]

[edit] Learn

[edit] Universities and Colleges

University of Texas - Pan American (UTPA) is located in nearby Edinburg, TX. [23]

South Texas College (STC) - has five campuses in the Rio Grande Valley. Three of them are located in McAllen.[24]

• Pecan Campus - 3201 W Pecan Blvd.
• Dr. Ramiro R. Casso Nursing and Allied Health Campus - 1101 E. Vermont Ave.
• Technology Campus - 3700 W Military Hwy.
• Mid-Valley Campus - Weslaco, TX
• Starr County Campus - Rio Grande City, TX

[edit][add listing] Buy

Convention Center - Corner of Ware Rd and Expressway 83. Large number of shops and restaurants surround the convention center.

Downtown - Lots of shopping available downtown. Especially along Main Street.[25]

La Plaza Mall - located at 2200 S 10th St. This is a large mall near the airport. Department stores include Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenny, Joe Brand, and Sears.[26]

Rio Grande Premium Outlets - Outlet Mall located in nearby Mercedes, TX.[27]

[edit][add listing] Eat

There is no shortage of places to eat in McAllen. The most common types of restaurants are Tex-Mex and Chinese buffet.

[edit] Budget

• Dai Tung - 400 E Nolana Ave. Cheap lunches.
• El Padrino - 116 S Broadway St.
• El Pollo Loco - (The Crazy Chicken) 601 Nolana Ave. Flame grilled Chicken with all the sides. [28]
• Le Lai Eastern Restaurant - 2901 N 10th St. Cheap lunches.
• Los Cazadores - 901 N Main St. Breakfast, Tex-Mex, and BBQ.
• Lotus Inn Chinese Restaurant - 1120 N 10th St. Cheap lunches.
• Taco Palenque - Two locations at 3020 N 10th St and 1000 S. 10th St. Great Tex-Mex food for a great price. Check out the salsa bar.[29]
• Taco Rico - 3716 W Pecan Ave.[30]
• Taqueria El Zarape - Three locations at 3420 N 10th St, 817 S 10th St, and 4401 N 23rd St.[31]

[edit] Mid-Range

• B&M Bistro - 7017 N 10th St. Romanian food.
• City Cafe - 2901 N 10th St. Sandwiches, salads, soups and more.
• Don Pepe's - 306 N McColl Rd. Mexican food.
• Fresco - 7017 N 10th St. Italian food.
• Hop Tung - 4200 N 10th St. Chinese and Vietnamese food.
• Kumori Sushi and Teppanyaki - Three locations at 1424 E Ridge Rd, 400 E Nolana Ave, and 4500 N 10th St. Japanese food.
• La Mexicana 4300 Col Rowe Blvd.
• Peppers - 4620 N 10th St. - Burgers, steaks, pizzas and more.
• Republic of the Rio Grande - 1411 S. 10th St. Diverse menu includes chicken fried steak, enchiladas suisas, and pizzas.
• Sahadi's - 709 N 10th St. Greek and Mediterranean food. Wine tastings every Friday night at 7:30pm. Live music.

[edit] Splurge

• Bistro M - 2900 N 10th St. European cuisine.[32]
• Espana - 701 N Main St. Mediterranean cuisine.[33]
• Lansky and Brats - 400 E Nolana Ave. Steakhouse and lounge.[34]

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Fast Eddie's - 400 E Nolana Ave. Large pool hall and sports bar.
• Havana Club - 500 E Nolana Ave. Cuban restaurant with bar and large dance floor.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Splurge

• Marriott Renaissance Casa De Palmas Hotel - 101 N Main St.[35]
• Embassy Suites Hotel McAllen - 1800 S 2nd St.[36]
• Drury Suites McAllen - 228 W Expressway 83 [37]

[edit] Get out

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