Also check with the Chamber for some suggested driving tours of the surrounding area. The citrus groves northwest of McAllen are certainly worth a look, especially in the winter when the fruit is on the trees. In March, the trees are in blossom, and a drive through the groves can be very heady with fragrance. Watch for the fruit stands along the way - some growers will even supply you with a sack and let you pick your own from the tree. The smaller towns along the river make for interesting sightseeing, and a drive along U.S. 281 east from McAllen paralleling the river takes you through some of the areas prime sugar cane and cotton fields.
Cotton is grown in the summer, cane is always there since it takes two years to mature.
Just a few miles away from the lights of the Valley cities, the clear night sky is a black and silver tapestry of stars. Even better, find a place where you have a good view of a typical dazzling South Texas sunset, then watch the stars come out one by one. Trace out your favorite constellations, and discover some new ones you won't find in the northern skies. McAllen's food is not the only thing liberally seasoned by the border heritage. Many of the schools and the parks and recreation departments have regularly scheduled performances of music and dance from Mexico.