La Sal del Rey, or “the King’s Salt,” is one of three naturally occurring salt lakes in South Texas. Sitting atop an estimated four million tons of salt, these hypersaline lakes are seven times saltier than the ocean.
The 100-acre National Butterfly Center is the premier location in the United States to experience the beauty, drama, and emotion of wild butterflies. A project of the nonprofit North American Butterfly Association, the center is designed to attract incredible numbers of beautiful, wild butterflies. Clouds of butterflies may be found at the National Butterfly Center because, by planting thousands of plants that the butterflies need for nectar and for caterpillar growth, we have created an outdoor paradise that sustains large populations and hundreds of species of wild butterflies.
On May 8, 1846, United States and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park preserves the site of this notable battle and provides an understanding of the causes, events, and consequences of the U.S.-Mexican War.
McAllen Municipal Park and Pool is home to a 27-acre site with picnic facilities, a rubber floor toddler playground, older kid playground & an Olympic-size outdoor pool (see McAllen Parks and Rec aquatics site for more information on pool hours).
This spot in South McAllen has everything! It’s located at the Palmview Community Center, so there’s a branch library, gym, as well as the outdoor facilities. The splash pad is very interactive, and has restrooms and picnic tables with shade. It’s also a summer meals location through the McAllen ISD summer feeding program. The playground is perfect for kids 5-12. There are some high slides and steep drops for the little ones. There’s also a walking path, exercise equipment, basketball court and skate park.
This cute neighborhood park has lots of shade and lots of room to run! The playground looks so much like a treehouse and is perfect for kids ages 3 and up. There are also bathrooms on-site and a walking path.
El Centro Cultural is located at 2100 Gregory Avenue, in the Colonia of Cameron Park, Brownsville, Texas. The Center offers a wide variety of social services and educational programs to the community such as: GED, ESL, home economics, family counseling, assistance with CHIP, Medicaid and Medicare and employment placement assistance. The Center also offers a children’s books library and reading room.
La Esperanza Community Park is located adjacent to El Centro Cultural. The park also offers a walking trail, playground, picnic pavilion, lighted soccer field, basketball court pavilion and an outdoor basketball court.
This lighted facility has picnic seating and barbecue grill, a full court basketball court, and a playground area, zip line, crushed granite walking trail, swimming pool, exercise equipment, covered pavilion. The outdoor facility is open to the public when not rented.
Park amenities include a 1.5 walking trail, 54 acres of wooded park land, nature trails, observation blind overlooking the Arroyo Colorado, restrooms, and a covered picnic area.
Morningside Park features 41 acres and consists of baseball fields, kickball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds, and pavilions. This park is a major destination for recreational sports. It also has a waterfront boardwalk perfect for bird-watching.
This Harlingen park has 9 acres, an inclusive//handicap accessible playground, a covered picnic shelter, and access to the Arroyo Hike & Bike trail.
The Pharr Aquatic Center is a South Texas attraction including water slides, pools and lazy river attractions. Pharr Natatorium is also on site.