Hidalgo County, TX

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

2,088 acres of thick, brushy growth, typical of Valley before agricultural development. Preserves and protects abundant wildlife and plant species. More than 400

Alamo, TX Wildlife Refuges

Museum of South Texas History

Founded as the Hildalgo County Historical Museum in 1967, exhibits cover the history of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico from prehistoric times up to 1900. All new permanent exhibits have been installed in the $2.5 million New Wing, starting with a sea dinosaur and a 14

Edinburg, TX History

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

600-acre area set aside to preserve native flora and fauna of lower Rio Grande Valley. On banks of Rio Grande, park offers picnicking, rest rooms, bird-watching and nature study. New nature trails, boardwalks and a Hawk Preservation Tower. Located off U.S. 83, exit F.M. 2062

Mission, TX State Parks

Shary-Shivers Estate

Was home of John H. Shary, known as father of Texas citrus industry, first to grow fruit commercially. Later the home became the valley residence for Governor and Mrs. Allan Shivers. Across from house is Shary Memorial Chapel and park, maintained as memorial to Shary;

Mission, TX Historic Homes

Tom Landry Mural

Created to honor Mission native and legendary coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Landry, born and raised in Mission, led the Cowboys from rag-tag team in inaugural 1960 season to two Super Bowl titles and "America's Team" status. Mural depicts and spans his life, career and legend. Landry'

Mission, TX Murals

Shrine of La Virgen de San Juan del Valle

An elaborate Catholic church, completed in 1954, included many imported objects of art. It was destroyed by fire after an airplane crash (apparently deliberate) in 1970

San Juan, TX Shrines

Smitty's Juke Box Museum

Pharr, TX Museums

Sunderland's Cactus Garden

Five acres of native and exotic cacti and succulents; among thousands of plants is the largest nursery-grown cactus in Texas, a 25

Alamo, TX Gardens

Edinburg Municipal Waterparks

Family fun at three-pool swimming facility featuring 125-foot figure-eight water slide, water basketball, sand-pit volleyball, barbecue grills, and picnic tables. Also Fountain Water Park at 22

Edinburg, TX Water Parks

Edinburg Visitor Information Center

Housed in the renovated train depot built in 1927

Edinburg, TX Information Centers

Vintage Farm Equipment Museum

Outside display of vintage farm equipment is displayed third week in March and for special events. The museum is on the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show grounds at 1000

Mercedes, TX Museums

Reynosa, Mexico

Reynosa is a charming Mexican city just across the Rio Grande. Several fine restaurants long famed for elaborate wild-game dinners; occasional Sun. afternoon bullfights. Gift shops cater to U.S. visitors with wealth of handicraft items in the Zona Rosa (tourist area)

Hidalgo, TX Day Trips