Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Busy
McAllen Miller International Airport
(MFE; 956-681-1500;
www.mcallenairport.com
)
is just south
of US 83, off S 10th St. American flies to Dallas-Fort Worth, Continental serves Houston,
and Delta Connection links to its hub in Memphis.
Greyhound
( 956-686-5479;
www.greyhound.com
; 1501 W US Business 83)
has frequent service to
Brownsville ($26, 70 minutes) and San Antonio ($48, 4½ hours). There's one bus daily up
the valley to Laredo ($29, 3½ hours).
WINTER TEXANS
Every fall, 160,000 creatures begin their annual migration to the Rio Grande Valley from points throughout the
US and Canadian Midwest. But they aren't wildlife. Not even close. They're retired folks drawn to the south end
of Texas by the bone-warming climate and the low prices.
Affectionately dubbed 'Winter Texans' by grateful civic boosters, they add at least $450 million to the local
economies during the prime season from October to March. They come in huge slow-moving RVs, SUVs or large
sedans and stay in the more than 500 senior-citizen parks from Brownsville to McAllen, where they find accom-
modations for both RVs and mobile homes.
Most Winter Texans return to the same parks every year, where they are part of a close and friendly seasonal
society. The communities bustle with activity, including square dancing, cycling, water sports, bingo, craft classes
and much, much more. While many folks engage in sedate matches of shuffleboard, others indulge in rougher
pursuits, such as water polo.
Many make regular treks to Mexico, where they can obtain economical medical and dental care as well as
cheap pharmaceuticals. Most restaurants do a big dinner business from 4pm to 6pm, which is the traditional sup-
pertime in the Midwestern towns that are home to many of these retirees.
The valley's museums, parks and attractions benefit from the Winter Texans who volunteer in droves to staff
information desks in visitor centers. They are invariably well informed and anxious not only to help but also to
chat for a while. Residents and tourists also benefit from the value-conscious Winter Texans, who know a good
deal when they see it and know how to stretch fixed incomes. Prices are generally low everywhere.
Come spring, when the snow-blanketed lands they hail from begin to thaw, the Winter Texans head back north
for the summer.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around McAllen
There are a number of natural sights along the Rio Grande that are reason enough to make
McAllen your base.
Sights & Activities
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
NATURE RESERVE
