Best hotels in McAllen
Courtyard by Marriott McAllen Airport
2131 S 10th Street, TX, 78503
Just a five-minute drive from the airport, reserve a spacious room at this Marriott hotel for a modern stay in McAllen. Each room features a comfortable bed with crisp white linens, plus guests are free to use the indoor pool and hot tub at their leisure.
Embassy Suites by Hilton
800 Convention Center Boulevard, TX, 78501
With the Convention Center and Palms Crossing mall on your doorstep, Embassy Suites hotel offers easy access to the city with spacious rooms where you can unwind on an evening. The outdoor pool is edged with loungers for sunbathing and firepits light the rooftop bar at night. Order breakfast, lunch or dinner at Barry’s International, the on-site grill restaurant.
Casa De Palmas
101 N Main Street, TX, 78501
Spanish-style suites and a luxurious courtyard pool await at this 1918 mansion in the McAllen Art District. The hotel offers free parking and 24-hour access to the gym. The hotel packs in the charm with features like the outside water fountain, while watching the sunrise from your private balcony sets you up perfectly for a day exploring the local area.
Best restaurants in McAllen
Costa Messa
5248 N 10th Street, TX, 78504
Reserve a table at this lively and welcoming restaurant for authentic Mexican cuisine. Diners can feast on spicy fajitas and flavor-bomb meat-filled tacos while being serenaded by live music. A small kid’s menu is a great way to introduce them to more subtly-spiced Mexican dishes.
Palenque Grill
La Plaza Mall, 2200 S 10th Street, TX, 78503
This family-run restaurant is big on ambience and enhances its Mexican menu with flashes of inspiration from elsewhere. Entree highlights include spicy Palenque ribs with a side of seasoned rice and tilapia fillets. Finish with sugary churros drizzled with caramel sauce.
Republic of the Rio Grande
1411 S 10th Street, TX, 78501
A romantic and beautifully decorated venue, this restaurant serves delicious Mexican-American fare. Sample avocado-stuffed chicken or fill up with the 8oz Texas filet served with creamy potatoes au gratin and grilled asparagus.
What to do in McAllen
Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle
400 N, Virgen de San Juan Boulevard, TX, 78589
Be dazzled at this Minor Basilica of the Catholic Church in San Juan, just a 10-minute drive from downtown McAllen. The Basilica is a popular landmark in south Texas and welcomes more than a million visitors each year. Saunter across the surrounding lawns to admire the structure from a distance and step inside to discover ornate religious sculptures.
McAllen Nature Center
4101 West, US 83 BUS, TX, 8501
Follow more than two miles of hiking trails through 33 acres of palm and oak trees. Once a landscaped botanical garden, the reserve is now blooming with native plants. Join an open-air yoga or tai chi class, surrounded by fluttering butterflies and enjoy a picnic amid the flowers.
Veteran’s War Memorial of Texas
3129 Galveston Avenue, TX, 78501
This towering monument stands proudly in central McAllen, honoring more than a million US citizens who have lost their lives as a consequence of the nation’s conflicts. The memorial is surrounded by five other war sites, including those for the world wars and Vietnam War. You’ll also find 160 granite panels on the site which detail the events of each war.