The McAllen center is about the area of Chase Texas Tower and the area of Downtown McAllen.
The best time to visit McAllen, Texas is in the fall. Between September and November, the city's temperatures fall considerably. However, September is also the height of tropical storm season, and the city is subject to tremendous rainfall at times, though it's not an everyday occurrence. The fall is also festival season in McAllen with celebrations such as the Texas Onion Festival, the Texas Butterfly Festival, and Palmfest. Because these festivals draw huge crowds, finding a hotel room is sometimes difficult, so booking your hotel in advance is well advised.
Another great time to visit McAllen is in the spring between March and May when temperatures are mild and rainfall is at a minimum. During this time, the lush plant life provides a beautiful landscape, while many local markets offer some of the freshest and best-tasting produce in the state. The weather is perfect for strolling around the city or through one of several local parks such as the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge and the Bentsen-Rio Grand Valley State Park.
In the summertime, McAllen becomes oppressively hot, reaching average highs in the upper 90s. However, the city is only an hour's drive from South Padre Island, providing an ideal way to beat the heat. The high temperatures still keep most tourists away, giving you ample opportunity to find the hotel of your choice at an affordable price.
The winter in McAllen is mild but still warm, with temperatures ranging between 50 and 70 degrees. It's also low tourist and business season, although the nearby Texas Citrus Festival draws in people from neighboring towns and south Texas. Like the summertime, finding a hotel isn't necessarily a hard task, but make certain to check ahead of time to ensure you get the hotel of your choice.
To save even more money on your travels, many McAllen hotels offer significant discounts. The Springhill Suites by Marriott offers AARP discounts on king bed and queen bed rooms with proof of AARP membership or a valid ID. If you have a group, the Springhill also offers discounts of up to 24 percent. You can make yourself at home in their room with features like a refrigerator, a microwave, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guest amenities include an indoor pool, a spa tub, a newsstand, a 24-hour fitness center, and a complimentary shuttle that takes you anywhere within four miles of the hotel.
Aside from budget and luxury options, McAllen also has a variety of mid-range options to suit your travel situation. La Quinta Inn offers a prime location in downtown McAllen with restaurants, shopping, nightlife, bars, the McAllen Botanical Gardens, and La Plaza Mall within a short walk or pedicab ride. Hotel amenities include a free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, a fully-equipped business center, flat panel televisions, and a soft pillow-top mattress.
For another downtown value hotel, go for the Comfort Suites. Each room has impressive features such as a kitchenette with refrigerator, a sofa bed, a pillow-top mattress, and daily housekeeping. You'll also love the other features of the Comfort Suites, like a 24-hour business center, a 24-hour fitness center, barbecue grills, free coffee and tea, a spa tub, a picnic area, an outdoor pool, a complimentary buffet-style breakfast, a roundtrip airport shuttle, and a safe-deposit box at the front desk. This hotel is also within close proximity to Quinta Mazatlan and Fireman's Park.
No matter where you're staying in McAllen, you'll be right by the city's best features. Make sure to set out on an adventure on South 17th Street, also known as the Historic District. Here you'll find some of the best food and drink in the city. Make sure to stop by the famous Patio on Guerra. This brick building is famous for its tasty steaks, seafood, beef tenderloins, and lamb. If that doesn't suit your tastes for the day, try one of the other Mexican, Tex-Mex, or American cuisines in the area.
If you're looking for something exciting to do when you aren't enjoying a great meal, head to one of the many festivals throughout the year. The Borderfest, which is held in nearby Hidalgo, is one of the most famous and well-regarded festivals in Texas.
Just south of McAllen, you'll also find one of the best venues for concerts and sporting events in all of southern Texas. The State Farm Arena seats up to 6,800 people and hosts up to 150 events a year. It's home to the NBA Development League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and has hosted some of the world's biggest musical artists such as Ricky Martin, Janet Jackson, Juanes, Shakira, and many others.
For the art or history enthusiast, McAllen also has tons of options. One of the best places to get some culture is at the International Museum of Art and Science. This Smithsonian-affiliated museum has several exhibits, such as European paintings, Mexican art, lithographs from Picasso, and Japanese prints. Another place worth visiting is the Museum of South Texas History. Here you can learn about much of the history of south Texas, from native inhabitants to the Spanish to 20th century settlers. The museum also offers interactive exhibits that highlight the rich plant and animal life from the area, as well as the impressive fossil record of the nearby land.
No matter where you choose to visit in McAllen, you're bound to have a memorable experience. The only thing that makes it just a bit better is finding the perfect hotel room to accent your trip.
Below are reviews of the city of McAllen, TX from an actual visitor's perspective.
Very impressed with the city, it's been 40 years since I was last here briefly. Very clean very friendly people, very orderly. Will be back.
Their JCP store has much more selections than the nearest JCP to me and their local Lubys was very conveniently located to LA Quinta
Friendly and multi cultural city with lots of activities.
McAllen and the entire valley is Booming!
Near? By restaurants and walking distance to the stores
From the hotel many areas are easy to access, great restaurants, less road construction this year, and easy ride to San Juan.
From the hotel many areas are easy to access, great restaurants, less road construction this year, and easy ride to San Juan.
Family
Lots to do!
Very nice hotel near the convention center and restaurants and variety of stores.
Still checking out McAllen. Hotel location is very convenient.
A lot of food options.
Love shopping mall and surrounding restaurants! .
Born and raised there. I relocated but always good to visit that warm Valley Flair.
Born and raised there. I relocated but always good to visit that warm Valley Flair.
The city is great!
Muy bonita ciudad
The stores are great!
Plenty of quality restaurants.
Food trucks across the street and excellent local stores where you could find everything! I found a small bookstore that had the books that my daughter was looking for.
Wide range of restaurants.
Very well kept city. Very clean.
Most of our time was spent at UTRGV in Edinburg.
Las tiendas, Ross, dd's discount, Target, Walmart, HEB, Mall; Lubbys, Taco Palenque, Whataburguer, boliche.
Loved the food and just the ambiance as well as the courtesy of individuals!
Room was very clean and comfortable. Staff was friendly and helpful. Everything is conveniently located!
Great food and very friendly people!
Everything was close to the hotel.
We highly suggest visitors see La Quinta Mazatlan, art exhibits, performances and activities throughout the area.
Staff was courteous and accommodating.
It's a nice town! Will visit again; loved the restaurant Poncho's.
Nice
Shopping
There's so much variety of food and places to shop!
Weather. Affordable housing. Only about an hour to beach.
Restaurants are very close to hotel.
Great restaurants!
Great experience at On the Grill Restaurant. Delicious beef fajitas and lively atmosphere.
Mcallen was a wonderful surprise, so many stores in a relatively small area.
Convenient