The Rio Grande Valley is the subtropical heart of Texas, and Harlingen sits at the center of this southernmost Texas region’s small cities, citrus orchards, vegetable farms and ranches. From Harlingen, named in 1910 for the founder’s hometown in the Netherlands, beaches along the Gulf of Mexico are about 40 miles to the east, and the state’s border with Mexico is just 10 miles to the south. This contributes to Harlingen’s laid-back pace and embrace of two cultures. Try the spicy beef dishes popular at the city’s many Tex-Mex restaurants, and enjoy the lively sounds of Tejano music, a blend of the Texas accordion and Mexican guitar, at local park gatherings and dance halls.
Harlingen is home to the Rio Grande Valley’s largest airport, Valley International, which makes it a hub for visitors exploring the region. The city of about 65,000 people is a major arrival point for thousands of monthslong winter trips by visitors from cold-weather states. Along with several motels and hotels in Harlingen, you’ll find many area RV parks to accommodate the longer stays by these snowbirds, locally nicknamed Winter Texans. The city has average daytime temperatures ranging from the low 70s in winter to mid-90s in summer. Prices generally are much lower here than at beach and big-city destinations in Texas, too.
Harlingen’s best-known historical attraction is the Iwo Jima Monument, the original molded cast used to create the bronze sculpture in Arlington, Virginia, of Marines raising the U.S. flag over Iwo Jima during World War II. The 100-foot-tall molded cast, brought to Harlingen because the warmer climate would better preserve it, is on the grounds of the city’s Marine Military Academy. The Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum houses South Texas history and culture exhibits.
Watch greyhound racing at the 80-acre Valley Race Park, which also offers simulcasts of off-site dog and horse racing events. Attend free blues concerts featuring national musical acts at the annual Blues on the Hill concerts in May, June and August at McKelvey Park. The State Farm Arena regularly hosts concerts, boxing matches and home games of the North American Hockey League’s Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.
Each November, join birdwatchers from around the country at the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in a region that attracts hundreds of rare species of migrating birds. The city’s golf courses are open year-round. Play 18 holes at the city-run Tony Butler Golf Course, Harlingen Country Club or Treasure Hills Golf Club. Harlingen’s public parks include Arroyo Park, where nature trails lead to scenic overlooks of the Arroyo Colorado, a stream that meanders through Harlingen and other Rio Grande Valley communities. Fair Park has a hummingbird and butterfly garden and a remote-control toy car racetrack.
Giant murals decorate downtown buildings along Jackson Street, which is lined with palm trees. Enjoy samples of locally grown produce and free live music during Jackson Street Market Days the first Saturday of each month. The Harlingen Farmers Market is held downtown every Saturday. During Family Movie Nights in summer, free movies light up an outdoor screen in downtown’s Lozano Plaza. See plays and concerts at the Harlingen Performing Arts Theatre.
