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Location of McAllen, Texas

McAllen is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas. It is located at the very southern tip of Texas in an area known as the Rio Grande Valley. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 106,414. Its southern boundary is located about five miles from the United States-Mexico border, the Rio Grande River.

McAllen is known as the “City of Palms” for the thousands of palm trees that dot the local lanscape and line many of the city's streets. Local residents (and most Texans) simply refer to the entire 4-county area that comprises the Lower Rio Grande Valley as “the Valley”. A center for international commerce and trade, McAllen is a major gateway to Mexico and the countries of Central America. The city’s population nearly doubles from October through March, as retirees descend upon the area from the north. These “Winter Texans” come to south Texas to enjoy the tropical climate, Mexican culture, square dancing, golf courses and other unique recreational outdoor opportunities. Most "Winter Texans" live in mobile home parks and RV campgrounds, but in recent years, a small but growing number have permanently relocated to the Valley.

In its subtropical setting with wide streets, tall palms, and flowers at every turn, McAllen has a thriving business climate geared toward trade with Mexico. McAllen is a shopping, social, trade, recreation, cultural and healthcare center serving the needs of a half million people. With the city’s present population topping the 120,000 mark, the McAllen metropolitan area is one of the fastest growing in Texas and the nation, according to the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. When the Mexican city of Reynosa is taken into account, more than a million people reside within a 15-mile radius of the City of Palms.

Many local residents claim that the laid-back subtropical setting easily lends itself to a slower, more relaxed, and somehow more pleasant life-style; for many McAllenites, the musical sounds of the Spanish language on the streets and in the shops confirm that “you are not in Kansas anymore”, but in a unique, very special place.

Close proximity to Mexico has fostered a Multiculturalism making McAllen and its environs very different from "typical" American cities. The unique blend of Mexican and American traditions has created a distinct bi-national border culture that permeates almost all aspects of life in the Valley. McAllen is a gateway community for legal and illegal Mexican immigrants, and official census population estimates probably undercount the actual population by many thousands. Heavy and continual immigration has led to both opportunities and challenges for McAllen. On one hand, McAllen's cultural diversity has been enriched by immigrants from throughout Mexico (and, to a lesser extent, Central America), and the city's expanding labor market has led many companies to relocate manufacturing operations to the McAllen area to take advantage of lower wages; however, the Valley remains one of the poorest regions in the United States, and unemployment and underemployment among local residents is a serious problem. Some "Anglo" residents of McAllen have also left the area in recent years as the city's hispanic population, fueled by new arrivals, dramatically increased.

Fields of vegetables, sugar cane, onions and grapefruit and orange trees can be found throughout neighborhoods and farther out into the country as farmers take advantage of the long growing season and warm temperatures. The Valley's citrus industry has played a particularly important role in the region's development, and although much smaller than during it's heydey in the 1950's and 1960's, it remains an integral part of the Valley's agricultural economy. The famous Ruby Red Grapefruit was originally developed in the Sharyland area just outside of McAllen.

Downtown McAllen is host to several events throughout the year. There is a Street Market the first Sunday of each month from January through March, a Mini Grand Prix Car Race the last weekend in February, a patriotic parade and a grand display of fireworks July 4th and the famous Candlelight Posada during December.

Scala Live Music & VIP Bar

1110 Austin Ave, McAllen, TX 78501 · 956-668-1800

Distance: 1.93 mi

MCALLEN. A great place to catch your breath after a long day at the office or on the sightseeing trail, locally-owned Scala serves up good music and good times with its selection of brews, liquors and wines. Frequented by 20-somethings and young professionals, Scala boasts style and attitude to complement its affinity for international music, both dance and live varieties. Of course, friendly service and great drink specials don't hurt the place's popularity at all!

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Graham Central Station

500 N Jackson Rd, Pharr, TX 78540 · 956-283-9500

Distance: 3.97 mi

PHARR. Billed as "eight clubs under one roof," Graham Central Station is a great place to head to if you're trying to keep a large group entertained. Sports nuts appreciate The Zone and its 30 big-screen TVs, arcade games, pool tables and tasty pub grub. Alley Cats gives folks a chance to shine, karaoke mic in hand. And for dancing, look to retro-themed Bellbottoms, hip-hop Zazoo with its platform stages, or Denim & Diamonds and its great country western lineup. For folks with trendier mindsets, Graham Station offers South Beach, where salsa and merengue reign supreme, and Tejano USA, which features a circular dance floor and live music every Friday. The final alternative, Wildcats, has become increasingly popular thanks to its fantastic dancing bartenders.

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Buffalo Wild Wings

4021 N 10th St, McAllen, TX 78504 · 956-668-9677

Distance: 4.50 mi

MCALLEN. A cross between a pub and a sports bar, BW-3 (as it's called) caters to folks who want a place to hang out, munch terrific wings, and down a few brews. Come with a group of friends and kick back in the animated environment while you slough off the cares of the day. Popular with college students. Salads, wraps, burgers, and sandwiches also available.

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Smoke Shack

2403 Buddy Owens Blvd, McAllen, TX 78504 · 956-668-1313

Distance: 4.95 mi

MCALLEN. An unexpected after-hours alternative, Smoke Shack gives folks in the Rio Grande Valley a mellow place to sample shisha (pure tobacco flavored with the sweet, syrupy flavors of Arabic coffee, coconut or apple), relax on a sofa and contemplate the day's events. Indeed, McAllen's first hookah lounge is as unique an experience as you'll find, complete with Middle Eastern decor and live weekend music. Free wireless Internet access, chess boards, and board games give the place added appeal. Patrons must be 18 and up to smoke; no alcohol is served.

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Hillbilly's

6000 N 10th St, McAllen, TX 78504 · 956-687-1106

Distance: 5.74 mi

MCALLEN. Mechanical bulls, pool tables and country music - if you had any doubt about Hillbilly's Texas credentials, step one foot inside and all should be put to rest. Great drink specials on everything from margaritas to bottles of Lone Star are ever-popular features, and there's always plenty to do. Validate those extra gym hours by challenging somebody to an arm wrestling match. If dancing's more your thing, grab a partner and head to the dance floor, where great live bands keep things going all through the night. No slouch when it comes to booking talent, Hillbilly's has seen the likes of Toby Keith, Tracy Lawrence and Hank Williams III take the stage.

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Scheduled Events 10/01Magic Show
McAllen Auditorium 2:00pm 10/01Sunday Family Excursion
McAllen, Quinta Mazatlan 3:00pm-4:30pm 10/03Marketing on a Shoestring Budget
McAllen, 1001 South 16th St.; 7:00pm-9:00pm 10/03Festival of Lights Concert Series
Hidalgo City Hall Plaza 7:00pm 10/04UTPA Theatre & Dance presents "The Lion In Winter"
Edinburg, UTPA 10/05UTPA Theatre & Dance presents "The Lion In Winter"
Edinburg, UTPA 10/05Alice in Chains Concert
Hidalgo, Dodge Arena 10/05Networking & Hispanic Heritage Art Contest Mixer
McAllen, Lone Star Bank 10/05Valley Symphony Orchestra-Subscription Concert # 1
Edinburg, UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium 8:00pm 10/06UTPA Theatre & Dance presents "The Lion In Winter"
Edinburg, UTPA 10/06Vamos presents "Simplemente Lara"
McAllen Auditorium 7:00am 10/06UTPA Women's Volleyball Game
Edinburg, UTPA Fieldhouse 7:00pm 10/07PalmFest International Folklife Celebration
McAllen 10/07UTPA Theatre & Dance presents "The Lion In Winter"
Edinburg, UTPA 10/07Sensational Saturdays-“Woodland Walkabout”
McAllen, Quinta Mazatlan 10:00am-11:00am  10/07UTPA Women’s Volleyball Game
Edinburg, UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium 12:00pm 10/07La Lunda Family Fiesta
Alamo, Central Park 5:00pm 10/07“Mi Cultura”
McAllen, Pavilion 10/07Huge Used Book Sale
McAllen 9:00am-4:00pm 10/08PalmFest International Folklife Celebration
McAllen 10/08UTPA Theatre & Dance presents "The Lion In Winter"
Edinburg, UTPA 10/08“Mi Cultura”
McAllen, Pavilion 10/08The 2006 Big Sit-Bentsen Style
Mission, Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park 10/08Sunday Family Excursions
McAllen, Quinta Mazatlan 3:00pm-4:30pm 10/09“The Day of the Dead” by Kathleen Frye
Weslaco, 525 S. Kansas 2:00pm 10/12Wild Walk Outdoor