# Weslaco (Texas)

Weslaco is a town in the Rio Grande Valley along the border between Texas and Tamaulipas, Mexico. It is a popular area for birdwatching.

## Understand

Weslaco is one of many cities in the Valley, particularly along I-2, where they seem to line up like an interminable chain of pearls. Some curiosities that set Weslaco apart are that its name was derived from a company, the W. E. Stewart Land Company, that had purchased the area from another, and that it has numerous parks and reserves devoted to nature preservation and study, creating somewhat of an incongruous departure from the agriculture and development that the casual tourist first appreciates in the Valley.

## Get in

As Interstate 2 passes through the municipality, you can easily get here from McAllen to the west or Brownsville areas to the east, using your own vehicle or modalities discussed on the main Rio Grande Valley page, particularly Valley Metro$^{[deadlink]}$.

### By bus

Valley Transit$^{[deadlink]}$ provides bus service between cities in the Rio Grande Valley with connections to Greyhound and several of the trans-border bus lines that operate in South Texas.

## See

* 26.15692-97.990771 The Weslaco Museum, 500 S Texas Blvd, ☏ +1 956 968-9142. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Exhibits on local history, e.g. fossils, costumes, Harlon Block (one of the Marines who planted the American flag on Iwo Jima). $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students (over 5). (updated Dec 2021)

## Do

The bulk of attractions in Weslaco are ironically natural in origin. Just when it seems that nature would be nonexistent in this sea of fields and houses, opportunities avail.
* 26.15875-97.997751 Valley Nature Center, 301 S Border Ave (in Gibson Park), ☏ +1 956 969-2475. Tu-F 9AM-4PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su Noon-5PM. Despite being limited to 6 acres, this place offers a chance for some environmental education on the Rio Grande Valley, discovering the habitat it provides for a number of bird, reptile, and botanical species. Through bogs and gardens, look out for such things as butterflies and kiskadees on the trail. $5 adults, $3 seniors, $2 children. (updated Dec 2021)
* 26.14781-97.989572 Frontera Audubon Society, 1101 S Texas Blvd, ☏ +1 956 968-3275. Tu-Sa 8AM-4PM, Su Noon-4PM. A 15 acre property that provides habitat to butterflies, birds, and animals in Tamaulipan Thornscrub forest and wetland habitat. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students (over 12). (updated Dec 2021)
* 26.1258-97.95283 Estero Llano Grande State Park, 3301 S International Blvd FM 1015, ☏ +1 956 565-3919. Daily 8AM-5PM. Another preserve with state park status, this larger expanse, as in 230 acres, has a grebe pond and lots of rushes and trails along Llano Grande Lake for exploration. (updated Dec 2021)

### Other

* 26.17009-98.011574 Cinemark Movies 10, 2113 W Expy 83, ☏ +1 956 968-8437. Offering the comforts of popcorn and a movie. (updated Dec 2021)

## Eat

* 26.16999-97.995031 Casa De Marisco, 502 W Pike Blvd, ☏ +1 956 968-1777. W-Sa, M-Tu 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM. This is a good choice if you want to try some Mexican seafood, though the exterior looks a bit dun, no doubt. (updated Dec 2021)

## Sleep

* 26.17098-98.013451 Hampton Inn Weslaco, 1004 Fairfield Blvd, ☏ +1 956 405-3350. If you're looking to find a tree to seek some shade by the pool, good luck. $90 (Dec 2021). (updated Dec 2021)
* 26.16904-97.974372 Super 8 by Wyndham Weslaco, 1702 E Expressway 83, ☏ +1 956 351-6203. More shade to go with the pool (and hot tub), thankfully. $65 (Dec 2021). (updated Dec 2021)

## Go next

* McAllen
* South Padre Island
* Matamoros