Bienvenidos a la Rio Grande Valley where you an enjoy the history, culture and lifestyle of two nations simultaneously! It's a memorable experience.

International bridges provide access to Old Mexico where, among other things, shopping in Matamoros near Brownsville or Progresso south of Mercedes and Weslaco at el Mercado, the Market, is a special treat.

Return back across the border to Brownsville and find the Gladys Porter Zoo, a 31-acre zoological preserve and botanical garden that serves as a survival center for 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and fish, and over 250 species and sub-species of tropical and neo-tropical plants. A unique haven for rare and endangered species the zoo is divided and surrounded only by rocky outcroppings, glass and a natural flowing waterway. The Gladys Porter Zoo is consistently ranked in the top ten by many national travel magazines.

History buffs will be astounded as to what happened in and around Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley. The Palo Alto National Battlefield, a new National Park just 5 minutes from Rancho Viejo will soon inform you as to the happenings during the first days of the Mexican American War. Nearer to Brownsville, which used to be known as the "back door of the Confederacy" also lies the location of the last battle of the Civil War, Polmito Hill. The Brownsville Historical Museum has information on these locations and more. At the Brownsville/South Padre Island Airport you can discover working World War II aircraft at the Confederate Air Force Museum.

In Port (Point) Isabel visit the Museum that describes adventures off the coast of South Padre Island. Gold laden treasure ships headed for Spain from Mexico, driven off course by storms and sunk off the coast of South Padre Island. Visit pirate and patriot Jean La Fitte's well in Laguna Vista, a refuge for La Fitte after leaving New Orleans and before sailing to the Yucatan.

In Harlingen, previously known as "Six Shooter Junction" because of the frequency of gunfights, you may want to visit the Rio Grande Valley Museum where several historic Harlingen buildings have been relocated. Harlingen is also the location of the new Greyhound-Racing Complex.

South Padre Island, offering more than 35 miles of this nation's widest and cleanest beaches, is only 30 minutes away. Take a day to sun, swim, surf or go horseback riding along the Gulf of Mexico. Cruise into international waters, aboard a ship offering gambling dining and entertainment. Try deep-sea fishing or bay fishing with one of the many knowledgeable local guides. Ride in a sailboat, jet ski or para-sail along the coast.

Nature is also plentiful in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Nearby refuges such as Sable Palm Grove Sanctuary, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge feature an abundance of rare, wild and unusual birds and exotic animals, some of which cannot be found anywhere else in the country.

Weather is the best gift of nature to the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The semitropical climate, enhanced by the gentle breezes of southeasterly trade winds, creates a beautiful landscape that can host an array of outdoor activities any time of year. Warm in the winter, comfortable in the summer, our climate rivals the best that Florida or any other southern destination has to offer!