|
|
|
Another city
born of the railroad,
Harlingen was named after a Dutch town with a very good system of
canals. At the time of its founding (1910), founder Lon C. Hill
considered commerce to be a new town's lifeblood. Tourism per se
was unknown except for the Holyland and Mecca.
Although
today the highways have replaced the planned canal system, the beautiful
Arroyo Colorado is still a town attraction, if only for the
migratory birds (the first Winter Texans). We hope the city will
keep the old Iron Bridge over the Arroyo.
Harlingen
Hotels
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
|
Arroyo
Colorado
1918-1920 photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com
See Texas Rivers |
Harlingen's biggest
asset is space. Streets are wide and driving is easier on visitors
who must slow down while looking for certain attractions. Even so,
the city through its Historic Society has arranged to put many of
the towns earliest buildings in one place.
The Rio Grande Valley Museum and Hospital Museum is at
Boxwood and Raintree Streets. For a city map, go by the Chamber
of Commerce at 311 Tyler Street. Harlingen is also a site for
a Texas Travel Information Center. Here one can pick up brochures
for all Valley destinations including Harlingen. Then you'll know
where to find the Chamber. This center is announced in advance on
Hwy 77 and is at the Intersection of US 83 and 77. |
The
Familiar Six Flags of Texas
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, March 2008 |
|
Harlingen has
a lot of good places to eat, and finding
a good hotel is easy. Everyone in the Valley is aware of the
tropical vegetation, and Harlingen businesses believe in
showing it off, whether it's a hotel patio or the landscaping of
a fast food restaurant. Many restaurants are family owned and not
just by the current generation. In addition to above average service,
many feature specialties you can't get anywhere else. There are
several extremely scenic neighborhoods, and we usually don't recommend
sightseeing in residential areas. We don't recommend them for the
houses, but once again for the vegetation.
We noticed the
benches at a downtown park were reminiscent of the ones in
Mexico.
Closer examination showed that they were from Mexico and had the
City Crest included in the design. Someone went to some trouble
and we've tried to find out where, who, and how. Whoever you are,
we appreciate your efforts. It's a subtle detail that a lot of towns
in Texas would enjoy having.
Harlingen makes
an excellent "base camp" for explorations around the Eastern
Valley. As you travel further west, to examine the charms of
Rio Grande
City and Roma,
you might consider avoiding a long drive back, but it's very tempting
to stay in Harlingen.
Harlingen
Hotels
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
|
Halingen
Area Attractions
The Arroyo
Queen - This is a very nice tour (four times daily) Thursday
through Sunday. Reservations are required. Do not confuse this tour
with the well known Mexican crossdressing actor Anthony Queen.
Laguna Atascosa
National Wildlife Refuge - FM 106-25 miles East of Harlingen
you'll find this 45,000 acre sanctuary. Best times are early or
late in the day. Year round there's something to be remembered for
the observant.
Historic attractions
beside the previously mentioned Rio Grande Valley Museum
and Hospital Museum include the Port Isabel Historical
Museum, 956-943-7602.
|
Other Valley
Destinations
Take Hwy 77
South 26 miles to Brownsville
and cross over to Matamoros.
Or, take Hwy
83 West 30 miles to McAllen,
another 45 miles will take you to Roma,
via Rio
Grande City and the ferry at Los
Ebanos.
Harlingen
Tourist Information
Harlingen
Area Chamber of Commerce
311 East Tyler, Harlingen, Texas 78550
956-423-5440 or 1-800-531-7346
http://www.harlingen.com/
|
Harlingen
Main Street
1918-1920 photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
|
|
