The Magic Valley’s early 20th Century transition into an agricultural powerhouse is retold at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, which also embraces nature conservation as a wing of the World Birding Center. Visitors to this museum on the Rio Grande can learn about the steam-driven irrigation pumps that transformed Hidalgo County into a year-round farming phenomenon. They also can wander the museum’s grounds, where hummingbird gardens are planned, and where many of the Valley’s amazing bird species are regular visitors as well.
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.
We are the Rio Grande Valley’s premier destination for birdwatching. Our unique location on South Padre Island is the perfect place to observe the birds, butterflies, and natural wildlife in coastal South Texas. Visit us on South Padre Island, walk the bayfront boardwalks, take a birding tour and explore the natural life of the Rio Grande Valley.
History and nature meet on scenic bluffs above the Rio Grande, where the World Birding Center in Roma can be found on the old plaza of a once-thriving steamboat port. Part of a national historic district, the WBC Roma Bluffs includes a riverside nature area of three acres: The gateway to unforgettable birding adventures across Starr County.
Brownsville’s Resaca de la Palma boasts the largest tract of native habitat in the World Birding Center network. Visitors can enjoy over 8 miles of off-road trails, four observation decks that overlook four miles of resaca wetland, and a 2.76-mile paved loop by tram, hiking and biking. Bikes, binoculars, and Explorer Packs are available for rent.
Estero Llano Grande in Weslaco attracts a spectacular array of South Texas wildlife with its varied landscape of shallow lake, woodlands and thorn forest. Even beginning birders and nature lovers will enjoy exploring this 230 plus-acre refuge, which is convenient to all the Rio Grande Valley has to offer.
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park and World Birding Center is a great place to begin a south Texas nature adventure. Guided tours offer our visitors a chance to see wildlife in their natural habitats. Special programs for teachers, students and young naturalists are available as well as citizen science projects such as Hawk Watch and the Christmas Bird Count. Make sure to check our program calendar for special events and workshops scheduled throughout the year.
Boca Chica State Park is located near Brownsville in southeastern Cameron County, Texas. Boca Chica is part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, as is Brazos (Santiago) Island.
A 40-acre wetlands oasis in the midst of a lively urban landscape, the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands offers watchable wildlife year-round in a setting friendly to birds, butterflies and other water-loving creatures. The grounds offer three acres of paths and butterfly gardens, a large lake for wildlife viewing, Dragonfly pond, discover pond and indoor kids’ area and gift shop. You can check out Junior Ranger packs filled with activities and materials to help your little ones explore South Texas nature!
Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center hosts school groups from pre-K through high school, scout groups, birding tours for all ages, challenge course facilitation, youth family programming, adult and senior history tours, speaker series programs, adult short courses in backyard habitat and birding! We have something for everyone!
Araceli Specializes in Portraits, Family, Seniors, Children, Cake Smashes, Birthday Shoots, and small events in Mcallen, Texas, and surrounding cities.
The Nurse Family Partnership Program at Women’s Hospital (NFP-WH) is a free, home-visiting program for first-time, low-income families, in Hidalgo and Willacy county. Our experienced, registered nurses visit with local families, from the time mom’s pregnant, until their baby is two years old. Some of our goals are to encourage quality prenatal care, support full-term pregnancies, provide health and mental health education, facilitate access to local resources, provide early intervention for cognitive and developmental delays, prevent child abuse and neglect, and ultimately strengthen the community through our families.
A Neapolitan pizza with an All-American attitude – Urban Bricks. has made it their mission to give hungry dough-cravers everywhere to customize their pie however they please baked in two minutes! Also, the best bar!
Experience Counts in Weight Loss Surgery! Choose a surgeon with the experience and track record of success and who offers compassionate, supportive care. Drs. Luis Reyes, FACS, FASMBS, and Ernesto Garza Jr., FACS, have performed thousands of gastric bypass, gastric banding, gastric sleeve, and gastric plication surgeries. Call today to set up a consultation with our Board Certified Surgeons, (956) 664-1616.
New Life Cosmetic Surgery and Wellness Center is founded by Dr. Daniel Lee. The office offers high-quality, friendly service in a caring atmosphere. Our patients are the heart of our practice and the reason we are here. Whether it is cosmetic surgery or hormone optimization we provide experts with years of experience to come alongside them in their journey of looking and feeling amazing.
The 37-acre green space houses a softball complex & playgrounds, plus picnic areas and 4 BBQ pavilions. Also the site of Movies in the Park during the summer months.
At the heart of Easterseals Rio Grande Valley, are programs and services that are focused to help families in our community address life’s challenges to grow, learn and succeed.
The first five years of every child’s life is a journey of incredible learning that shapes their future. Easterseals Rio Grande Valley believes young children deserve quality intervention and access to necessary services so they have a chance for a good start in life and an opportunity to grow, learn, succeed and contribute to their community.
Serving families with children prenatal to 5 years of age living in Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy, and Starr Counties in the Rio Grande Valley.
Easterseals programs and services are focused on Early Childhood Intervention for children under the age of 3 with a disability or developmental delay, Early Childhood Education, Child Development & Parenting Support, Family Strengthening, and Quality Inclusive Child Care.
This neighborhood park is right by the Othal Brand Center of the Boys and Girls Club of McAllen. It has restrooms, multiple playgrounds, soccer and baseball fields, and plenty of shade.
Fun and colorful restaurant serving delicious Salvadorean Gorditas and healthy authentic Mexican antojitos.
Founded in Reynosa, Mexico in 1995 and now serving the RGV.
Specially made mini-pupusas for our mini-guests. Lots of vegetarian options and some vegan.
RGV Photography Workshops is a school dedicated to producing photographers, using the community of student/alumni as a resource.