McAllen, TX Road Trips

McAllen has grown rapidly over the past century. In 1910 the population was about 150. The city now has a population exceeding 130,000. Over 85% of the city's population is Hispanic or Latino; almost everyone is bilingual to some degree. 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. McAllen is surrounded by several medium size towns and cities. These cities are interconnected and 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 (MSA). McAllen has a low cost of living. McAllen is a popular birders destination. There are dozens of birding spots in the McAllen area, including the World Birding Center, a complex of 9 sites dedicated to wildlife watching. 528 bird species and over 300 butterfly species have been recorded in the area. McAllen has warm winter weather; in the winter months, large numbers of retirees live in the McAllen area. Affectionately called Winter Texans, they come predominantly from the Midwestern United States and Canada and stay in RV parks, apartments, second homes and extended-stay hotels.

1 McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd. A large convention facility that hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year at on the corner of S Ware and W Expressway 83. The convention center is surrounded by a variety of shops and restaurants. (updated Jan 2022) 2 Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Ave. A beautiful country estate located close to the airport at 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. 3 Veterans War Memorial of Texas, 3129 Galveston Ave, ☏ +1 956 631-2511. (updated Jan 2022) 4 International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS), 1900 Nolana Ave, ☏ +1 956 681-2800, [email protected]. (updated Jan 2020) 5 McAllen Heritage Center, 301 S Main St, ☏ +1 956 687-1904. (updated Feb 2016)

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. Birdwatching. McAllen and the rest of the Rio Grande Valley are great places to enjoy birdwatching. 528 species of birds have been spotted in the area, making it the most productive and popular birding destination in the country. Visit South Texas Nature Marketing and the World Birding Center websites to find great birdwatching locations, and visit the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at 1200 Ash Ave for free brochures, maps and other birding information. PalmFest. This is an annual festival that celebrates the unique culture and history of Deep South Texas. Takes place every October at the McAllen Convention Center. Valley Symphony Orchestra & Chorale. Has concerts throughout the year. Concerts usually held at the McAllen Convention Center. Music After Hours. Free outdoor music concert series featuring local talent. Held in Archer Park every first Friday September through May, and in Bill Schupp Park second Fridays during summers. Candlelight Posada. Annual Christmas celebration held the first weekend in December.

With over 600 dining establishments in the City, excellent dining choices is one of McAllen's strengths. Tex-Mex is of course very popular, as is Chinese, barbecue, seafood and sushi, among others. Many restaurants serve meals featuring organic, locally grown products, and you will find a variety of live music featured in many establishments. Dai Tung, 400 E Nolana Ave. Nicely priced Chinese menu, with lunch specials mid-week. Le Lai Eastern Restaurant, 2901 N 10th St. Cheap lunches. Lotus Inn Chinese Restaurant, 1120 N 10th St. As close to real Chinese food as you will find. Taco Palenque, 3020 N 10th St. Great Tex-Mex food for a great price. Check out the salsa bar. Second location at 1000 S. 10th St. Taco Rico, 3716 Pecan Ave, ☏ +1 956 668-1660. (updated May 2017) El Pato. This is a local favorite, serving made-to-order burritos 1 Ms. G's Tacos N' More, 2263 Pecan Blvd, ☏ +1 956 668 8226. 06:30-19:00 M-F, 07:00-14:00 Sa, Closed Su. $1-10. (updated Apr 2026) Blue Onion, 925 Dove Ave. Salads, soups, pizzas and more. City Cafe, 2901 N 10th St. Sandwiches, salads, soups and more. Costa Messa, 1621 N 11th St. Mexican and Tex-Mex food. Don Pepe's, 306 N McColl Rd. Mexican food. Hop Tung, 4200 N 10th St. Chinese and Vietnamese food. Kumori Sushi and Teppanyaki, 1424 E Ridge Rd. Two additional locations at 400 E Nolana Ave, and 4500 N 10th St. Japanese food. Mama's Pizzeria, 401 N 10th St. Chicago style pizza. Palenque Grill, La Plaza Mall, 2200 S 10th Sr. Mexican food. Peppers, 4620 N 10th St.

McAllen has a lively entertainment district in downtown along 17th Street. There are many bars and nightclubs in the area. 1 The Flying Walrus, 204 S 17th St (S 17th St & Belmont), ☏ +1 956 627-0211. Pizza and drinks and live music with an outdoor stage. 2 House Wine & Bistro, 1117 W Business 83, ☏ +1 956 994-8331. A unique concept, one side is a wine bar, the other side is a fine furniture shop. (updated Feb 2016) 3 Roosevelt's at Seven, 821 N Main St, ☏ +1 956 928-1994. Specializes in a wide variety of beers from around the world. (updated Feb 2016) 4 Eddy's Tavern & Social McAllen, 400 W Nolana Ave STE G, ☏ +1 956 687-8296. Large pool hall and sports bar. 5 Havana Club Bar & Grill, 500 E Nolana Ave, ☏ +1 956 687-3100. Cuban restaurant with bar and large dance floor. 6 Hillbilly's, 6000 N 10th St. (updated May 2017)

McAllen has 40 hotels and over 3,300 rooms, ranging from full-service to budget. 1 Best Western Plus, 1500 Wichita Ave (across the street from the airport terminal), ☏ +1 956 632-2000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Jul 2024) 2 Cambria Hotel, 700 S Ware Rd, ☏ +1 956 618-7207. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Jul 2024) 3 Courtyard McAllen Airport, 2131 S 10th St, ☏ +1 956 668-7800. (updated Jul 2024) 4 Drury Suites McAllen, 300 W Expressway 83, ☏ +1 956 682-3222. 5 Fairfield Inn & Suites, 2117 S 10th St, ☏ +1 956 971-9444. (updated Jul 2024) 6 La Quinta Inn & Suites, 800 S Ware Rd, ☏ +1 956-682-6765. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jul 2024) 7 Casa De Palmas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, 101 N Main St, ☏ +1 956 631-1101. $110 (Jan 2022). 8 Embassy Suites Hotel McAllen Convention Center, 800 Convention Center Blvd., ☏ +1 956 688-8329. (updated May 2017) 9 Home2Suites by Hilton, 525 S Ware Rd, ☏ +1 956 391-2964. (updated Jul 2024) 10 Radisson McAllen Airport, 2720 S 10th St, ☏ +1 956 682-7234. (updated Jul 2024) 11 Skybridge by IHG, 620 Wichita Ave, ☏ +1 956 213-7829. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jul 2024)

1 McAllen-Miller International Airport (MFE IATA), 2500 S Bicentennial Blvd #100 (2 mi (3.2 km) south of downtown via S 10th St (TX-336) & Wichita Ave; Exit 142 from Interstate 2), ☏ +1 956 682-910. It is serviced or will be serviced by:. (updated May 2022) Aeromexico Connect to Mexico City AIFA American Eagle/American Airlines to Dallas-Ft Worth United Airlines/United Express to Houston Allegiant Air to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, St Petersburg/Clearwater Delta Connection to Austin Volaris to Cancun For travelers not renting a car click here for a list of taxi companies and their rates. Otherwise there is the McAllen Metro #4 bus to go into town as the least expensive way. The next nearest commercial airport in the US with Delta (to Minneapolis St Paul), Southwest Airlines, and Sun Country is in Harlingen Valley International Airport, 45 min east on I-2/US 83. Both United & American/American Eagle serve the area through Harlingen, Brownsville and McAllen from their respective hubs in Houston and Dallas-Ft Worth. VivaAerobus flies into Reynosa's Gen Lucio Blanca International Airport (REX) and through Monterrey International Airport (MTY) from multiple cities in Mexico. Monterrey is also served by Areus, Aeromexico, Mexicana, TAR, and Volaris from multiple cities in Mexico as well as international flights from Atlanta (Delta), Madrid (Aeromexico), Panama City (Copa), Toronto (Air Canada), and Seoul (Aeromexico). There is no passenger rail service or Amtrak Thruway connections to McAllen. However, you can take Amtrak to San Antonio and connect via bus to McAllen.

The best way to get around McAllen is by car. There are several rental car services located in Mcallen: Hertz, Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, and others. Many of these can be found at the airport. Several taxi companies serve McAllen. Customers should call ahead to arrange a pick up. Metro Mcallen is the bus system that serves McAllen. These buses run from 6AM to 11PM Monday through Saturday, and 8AM to 8PM on Sunday. The bus system covers only limited routes but also interfaces with RioTransit buses, which connect to other towns in the Rio Grande Valley. McAllen has several hike and bike trails that run north and south.