McAllen Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
About McAllen
McAllen has grown rapidly over the past century. In 1910 the population was about 150. The city now has a population exceeding 130,000. Over 85% of the city's population is Hispanic or Latino; almost everyone is bilingual to some degree. The first real development in the area that would later become McAllen occurred in the 1850s. That development was led by John McAllen. In 1904, he established a town site then known as West McAllen. In 1907, a separate group of developers established a town known as East McAllen. Eventually, the two towns merged and the City of McAllen was incorporated in 1911. McAllen has warm winter weather and a low cost of living. In the winter months, large numbers of retirees live in the McAllen area. Affectionately called Winter Texans, they come predominantly
Top Attractions in McAllen
Explore the best things to see and do in McAllen:
- ★Art Walk
- ★Birdwatching
- ★Candlelight Posada
- ★Fireman's Park
- ★International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS)
- ★McAllen Convention Center
- ★McAllen Heritage Center
- ★McAllen Nature Center
Where to Eat in McAllen
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Blue Onion
- 🍴City Cafe
- 🍴Costa Messa
- 🍴Dai Tung
- 🍴Don Pepe's
- 🍴El Divino Dining & Cocktails
Where to Stay in McAllen
- 🏨Best Western Plus
- 🏨Cambria Hotel
- 🏨Casa De Palmas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
- 🏨Courtyard McAllen Airport
- 🏨Drury Suites McAllen
- 🏨Embassy Suites Hotel McAllen Convention Center
McAllen Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: