 McAllen
is located in South Texas ten minutes away
from the U.S.-Mexican border. Appropriately named the "City of Palms,"
McAllen is part
of the rapidly growing Rio Grande Valley metropolitan area. Locals
simply refer to
the area as "the Valley." A center of international commerce and trade,
McAllen is a major gateway to Mexico and the countries of Central America. The
city's population of 110 thousand doubles from October through March, as retirees
descend upon the Valley to escape the frozen north. Affectionately
termed "Winter Texans," they come to South Texas to enjoy the tropical
climate, Mexican culture, golf courses, and other unique recreational opportunities.
 Citrus
and Ranching
Evidence of the region's agricultural history can be seen
in the vast network of irrigation canals, many of which are still in use. Citrus
groves spread throughout the Rio Grande Valley, with Texas ruby red grapefruit
ranking as the top agricultural product. Sweet onions, aloe vera and sugar cane
are also grown on the countless miles of ranches bordering McAllen. As a ranching
center, it is also prime location for buying western wear and gear. Several local
retailers specialize in boots and cowboy hats.
 The
Famous Botana
Dozens of Mexican restaurants serve the Valley specialty.
Called botanas, this dish is served as a heaping mound of tortilla chips, guacamole,
refried beans, marinated beef and/or chicken grilled over mesquite charcoal, cheddar
cheese, tomatoes, cilantro and onions. Botanas can be ordered for two, four or
more persons and there is always extra to take home. Another delicious variation
is the seafood botana.
 For
those who prefer other fare, there are numerous Chinese buffets and Texas barbeque
restaurants, as well as the typical chain restaurants (Chili's, Bennigan's, Tony
Roma's, The Olive Garden, TGI Fridays, Red Lobster and many others).
 Downtown
McAllen
The busy downtown streets are a haven of Mexican culture. During
daytime hours, they are full of shoppers and vendors. By displaying their wares
outdoors shopkeepers take advantage of the sunny climate, making every day an
open-air sidewalk sale.
 Catering
to international clientele, jewelers, clothing stores, western wear shops, restaurants
and music stores advertise in both Spanish and English. The cuisine of choice
in the downtown area is Tex-Mex, with choices ranging from tiny taco and hamburger
stands to fine dining.
 Color
greets the visitor's eye in every direction, with piñatas and paper flowers
for sale on nearly every corner. Bright yellow, orange, and red painted buildings
accent the bright blue McAllen sky. Towering over the city's business district
is the 17 story Chase Bank building.
 Birds
and Butterflies
Three national wildlife refuge areas afford bird watchers
the opportunity to view over 450 varieties of birds. Migratory birds come from
as far as the arctic to winter along the Rio Grande. McAllen is the meeting place
of choice for this natural pageant as enthusiasts from all over the world bring
their cameras and binoculars. They are welcomed by a kaleidoscope of migratory
species as well as many native species only found in the Rio Grande Valley. Santa
Ana Wildlife Refuge is a must-see on the banks of the Rio Grande. The park
is open year-around and gives guided tours from October through April.
With
two festivals each year and more than 240 native species, McAllen is also a premier
destination of butterfly-watchers. In fact their are more kinds of butterflies
in and around McAllen than in any other part of the country. This unique habitat
is a precious treasure for birds, butterflies and for nature lovers.  Parks,
Libraries, Museums, etc.
With miles of paved bike trails, several playgrounds,
picnic areas, and jogging trails, McAllen has an excellent park system. Well-groomed
soccer fields, baseball diamonds and several golf courses are available for sports
enthusiasts. For those who prefer extreme sports, McAllen offers a challenging
motorcross park. A state-of-the-art skateboard park also provides thrills and
chills a few miles away in Edinburg, TX which borders McAllen to the north.
Tropical
beauty is one of the greatest blessings enjoyed by South Texans. Numerous local
and state parks throughout the region capitalize on the wonderful natural surroundings
by offering bird watching, picnicking and camping. The McAllen
Public Library system with three branches is part of a Rio Grande Valley-wide
network of libraries. The system offers full reference services, story-telling,
English and other classes, as well as free internet access to the public. Recently
named part of the Smithsonian Affiliations Program, the McAllen International
Museum is one of only 21 museums nationwide to enjoy this honor. The museum features
science exhibits, traveling art exhibits and a new "hands-on" learning
center. The Gladys Porter Zoo -- about an hour's drive away in Brownsville
-- specializes in endangered species. Animals roam freely in re-creations of their
natural habitats.
Churches
There are a variety of Full Gospel
and evangelical churches in McAllen and nearby. Churches of all major Christian
denominations are available as well as many excellent independents. Ranging from
"mega-churches" to small houses of worship, most offer both English
and Spanish language services or conduct bilingual services. Many area churches
have ongoing missionary activities in Mexico. Other Christian Resources
Christian bookstores include Viva
Life and Calvary Book and Bible. Each store features a wide selection of Christians
books, Bibles, videos and music in both English and Spanish. The coffee bar at
Viva Life is a popular gathering place, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings
with live Christian music played by local bands. For Christian radio KVMV
(FM 96.9) broadcasts an edifying mix of teaching, music, preaching and special
programs for all ages. You can even tune-in to the live webcast by way of the
internet.  Shopping
Featuring Foley's, Dillard and Sears and dozens of national retail establishments,
La Plaza Mall is one of the largest in the entire U.S. Wal-mart, Target, Kmart,
Best Buy and many others are available for discount shopping. For groceries, a
San Antonio-based chain called H.E.B. offers multiple locations with fresh produce
and meats, in-store bakeries, and discount drugs.
There are also shopping
opportunities unique to this area. Mexican furniture and other handcrafted items
are available across the Rio Grande in Reynosa, Mexico. The "pulga,"
which is the local version of the gigantic flea market, is where you can buy anything
from palm trees to burritos to motorcycles.  Transportation
The Valley is well connected to the rest of the U.S. and to Mexico. McAllen
Miller International Airport has daily direct flights to to Monterrey, Mexico,
Houston and Dallas with connecting flights to the entire U.S.
Inexpensive
access to Mexico is provided by four modern and efficient Mexican bus lines at
the new downtown bus terminal. Greyhound and VTC (Valley Transit Company) provide
service on this side of the border. The Valley enjoys an excellent network
of highways and streets. Recently upgraded Freeway 83 is part of the future Interstate
69 that will stretch from the Mexican border to northern Wisconsin.
Education
Diverse options make McAllen a center of educational excellence.
Central Christian School and Covenant Christian Academy provide kindergarten and
elementary education. The McAllen Independent
School District (ISD) boasts of several award-winning schools at all levels.
Post-secondary education is provided by South
Texas Community College, a fast-growing learning institution with campus locations
throughout the Rio Grande Valley and main campus right in McAllen. University
of Texas Pan American offers the major university experience with 50 bachelor's
degreees and 42 master's degrees in the sciences, business, health and social
sciences and the arts and humanities.
 The
Beach
Beautiful beaches and blue water can be enjoyed about 75 miles away
from McAllen at South Padre Island. Several hotels and restaurants are available
beachfront, as well as the world-class Schlitterbahn Water Park. South Padre also
offers deep-sea fishing opportunities on a variety of charter vessels.
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