McAllen, Texas

1. Quinta Mazatlan

Quinta Mazatlan is a 1930s Spanish-style mansion and grounds which is a center for birdwatching and environmental education. More than 230 species of birds have been spotted here in the Rio Grande Valley, some of them are migratory, others year-round residents. Quinta Mazatlan is the only known habitat of the rare Buff-bellied hummingbird, and attracts many other varieties of this tiny species.

The estate is also a hotspot for migratory butterflies. A peaceful refuge only twenty minutes from downtown McAllen, Quinta Mazatlan offers extensive educational programs for children and adults, gives historical and themed botanical tours, and has several nature trails for visitors to explore.

600 Sunset Drive, McAllen, Texas 78503, Phone: 956-681-3370

2. International Museum of Art & Science

The International Museum of Art & Science provides educational programs, cultural events, and exhibits primarily focused on the ecosystem of the Rio Grande River. It has an interactive science playground in which children can crawl, climb, and slide their way to discovery about the Rio Grande, the award-winning Watershed exhibit which invites hands-on discovery about the water cycle, and a weekend science presentation designed by NASA which displays celestial and planetary systems as seen by space probes, satellites, and the Hubble Space Telescope.

An outdoor sculpture garden displays large statuary from the U.S. and Mexico. Summer camps, school programs, and guided tours are available.

1900 W. Nolana Avenue, McAllen, Texas 78504, Phone: 956-682-0123

Weekend idea: Harlingen, Texas is 40 minutes from McAllen.

3. McAllen Nature Center

McAllen Nature Center is a 20-acre nature park close to downtown McAllen, Texas. Originally designed to give the community an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, the McAllen Nature Center has become a prominent bird-watching site, and offers many programs for children and adults. There are nearly a mile of ADA-approved nature trails, a cactus garden, forested acres, meadowlands, and a wetland ecosystem. Ample parking is available, and the Nature Center also has picnic tables and restrooms.

Birds spotted here include the greater roadrunner, the Great Horned Owl, Yellow-Headed Parrots, Black Phoebes, and a large variety of water birds such as teals, ducks, egrets, and herons. Additionally, Yoga and tai chi classes, as well as bird and nature walks are available on the grounds of the Nature Center.

4801 W. Business 83, McAllen, Texas 78501, Phone: 956-681-3333

4. McAllen Heritage Center

The McAllen Heritage Center is a museum of McAllen's history and culture. Opened in 2008, the Heritage Center contains interesting artifacts, pictures, and videos of the area's long history. Murals with historical themes grace the walls of the Center. The McAllen Heritage Center examines the earliest European discovery of the Rio Grande Valley, by Alonso Alvarez de Pinada, in 1519, the first organized settlement in the area, started by Jose de Escandon in the 1740s, and the founding of the town in the early 20^th century.

The first buildings in McAllen were a rail siding, erected in 1905, and a post office, which opened in 1906. Visitors will find free parking behind the museum, and guides to help tourists make sense of the many exhibits in the museum.

301 S. Main Street, McAllen, Texas 78501, Phone: 956-687-1904

5. McAllen Farmer's Market

The McAllen Farmer's Market is the place to buy organic, produce and other organic farm products grown and made in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Every Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., residents and visitors may stop by and purchase fruits, vegetables, free-range eggs, natural honey, nuts, dried fruits, and an array of natural health and beauty products.

Flowers and plants are sold, as is grass-fed beef, pork, and lamb. The vendors of McAllen Farmer's Market use cooking demonstrations and student presentations to help educate the public about the benefits of healthy eating.

4001 N. 23rd Street, McAllen, TX 78502, Phone: 956-255-0190

6. Nuevo Santander Gallery

Nuevo Santander Gallery is a family owned and operated shop selling museum-quality items, particularly artifacts relating to the American Old West. The gallery sells Old West arms, military uniforms, spurs, and saddles, and other objects representing the history of the Rio Grande Valley and Colonial Mexico. Fine Mexican collectibles can be found here, as well as antique furnishings and religious pieces.

Nuevo Santander Gallery also sells fine paintings by established local artists, focusing on art grounded in traditional realism, and in a variety of media: pastels, oil, and watercolor. The gallery's doors are 150 year old ironwork from Colonial Mexico, and the interior is adorned with regional mesquite walls and floors.

717 N. Main Street, McAllen, Texas 78501, Phone: 956-618-4959

7. La Plaza Mall

La Plaza Mall is the largest enclosed shopping mall in southern Texas. Only five minutes from the Mexican border, La Plaza Mall offers over 150 specialty retailers. Here shoppers will find everything they are looking for, from clothing, to cosmetics, sporting goods, electronics, toys, and housewares. La Plaza Mall has full-service banks, salons, a spa, and a children's play area that holds holiday themed parties and supports educational play.

If you've worked up an appetite shopping, you can take a seat in La Plaza Mall's dining area, which has food options such as pizza, salads, sandwiches, cookies, coffee, and giant pretzels. This upscale mall has valet parking, complimentary Wi-Fi, and stroller rentals.

2200 S. 10th Street, McAllen, Texas 78503, Phone: 956-972-5454

8. Earth Born Market

Earth Born Market is a specialty farmer's market offering 100% organic, sustainable produce. The store sells only local, organic, fresh, raw produce. The Holbrook family owns the market, and owns the farm, South Tex Organics, in Mission, TX, from which most of the produce is sourced. The market sells organic fruit, citrus, vegetables, and fresh juices.

Both native and exotic fruits are available; some of the exotic fruits available include kumquat, persimmon, dragon fruit, jack fruit, passion fruit, and plantains. Fruit gifts can be bought at the market, or shipped anywhere in the United States.

4508 N. Taylor Road, McAllen, Texas, Phone: 956-682-2980

9. McAllen's New Park and Spray Ground

McAllen's New Park and Spray Ground is located at the corner of North 29^th and Zinnia Streets, and is a popular park that has water jets for community kids to cool off in. As well as the water jets, the park has a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, a skateboard area, walking and jogging trails, and athletic practice fields.

Shaded areas and picnic shelters are available to shield park-goers from the Texas heat. Picnickers can make use of the park's barbecue pits, and there are restrooms on-site. The park is extremely child friendly, and dogs are welcome as well.

5201 N. 29th Street, McAllen, TX 78504

10. McAllen Art Walk

The McAllen Art Walk takes place on the first Friday of each month between September and May, and highlights the culture of the city of McAllen. The art district of McAllen is in an historic part of the city, and includes venues on Main Street between Pecan Boulevard and Business Route U.S. 83.

Residents and visitors are invited to stroll through area galleries, art studios, museums, and the recently-founded Art Village, and to dine at restaurants in the vicinity. Archer Park is a lively part of Friday night art walks, where there are live musicians, buskers, artists, jewelry makers, food stands, and performing cosplayers to visit.

1009 Laurel, McAllen, Texas 78501, Phone: 956-490-5507