Make a dash along the border. This route hugs the Texas-Mexico line and is rich with historical spots along the way. McAllen, known as the City of Palms, is now one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. While you’re in town, stop by the World Birding Center at Quinta Mazatlan, or tour the International Museum of Art and Science. Just down the road in Mission, home of the Ruby Reds, you’ll pass citrus groves laden with this gem of the Rio Grande Valley. The highway enters the South Texas Brush Country, traveling through extensive ranch lands, past bass-happy Falcon Reservoir, and arrives at Zapata where you can stop at El Paraiso and experience some true Tex-Mex cuisine.
Along The Way
McALLEN
IL REGALO PREFERITO
2801 Expwy. 83,
Suite 280
956-627-5768
CHAMPION TREE TOUR
Various locations in McAllen
mcallencvb.com/for-tour-operators/tour-ideas/champion-tree-tour
DELIA’S
4800 S. 23rd. St., Ste. 5
956-630-3502
McALLEN ARTS DISTRICT
More than two dozen galleries along Main St. and other nearby locations
McALLEN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
17th St.
various nightlife venues
TEXAN GUEST RANCH
8301 N. Ware Rd.
956-5425
MISSION
INDIAN RIDGE BED & BREAKFAST
209 W. Orange Grove Rd.
956-519-3305
LA FOGATA RESTAURANT & BAR
300 N. Shary Rd.
956-584-8143
WORLD BIRDING CENTER HEADQUARTERS
2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr.
956-584-9156
RIO GRANDE CITY
FORT RINGGOLD
1 S. Fort Ringgold,
off U.S. 83 at eastern
city limit
956-716-6700
HISTORIC INN–LA BORDE HOUSE
601 E. Main St.
956-487-5101
ROMA
FALCON STATE PARK
15 mi. west of Roma via U.S. 83
956-848-5327
ROMA–CIUDAD MIGUEL ALEMÁN SUSPENSION BRIDGE
Spur 29, off U.S. 83
ROMA HISTORIC DISTRICT
200 Lincoln St.
956-849-1411
ZAPATA
EL PARAISO RESTAURANT
1904 U.S. 83
956-765-3558
On The Road
Pit Stops
1. TEJANO MART
1420 E. U.S. Hwy. 83, McAllen
956-994-1006
2. TOWN & COUNTRY DRIVE IN
1911 4th St., Zapata
956-765-3813
3. DESPERADO HARLEY-DAVIDSON
1201 S. Bentsen Rd., McAllen
956-687-4646
Grab a Bite
1. EL PASTOR
1400 E. Expy. 83, McAllen
956-213-8383
2. CACTUS RESTAURANT
3239 W. Hwy. 83,
Rio Grande City
956-487-8170
3. REX TORTILLA FACTORY
607 Texas 16, Zapata
956-765-4748
Stay The Night
1. CASA DE PALMAS
101 N. Main St., McAllen
956-631-1101
2. HAWG HEAVEN LODGE
North Jab St., Zapata
956-324-2042
Diversions
1. BENTSEN-RIO GRANDE VALLEY STATE PARK
2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr., Mission
956-585-1107
2. QUINTA MAZATLAN
600 Sunset Ave., McAllen
956-688-3333
3. ANZALDUAS PARK
6400 Anzalduas Dam Rd., Mission
956-585-5311
Only in Texas
1. VETERAN’S WAR
MEMORIAL OF TEXAS
29th St. and Galveston Ave., McAllen
