MARCH 13, 2024 www.wintertexantimes.com 18 WINTER TEXAN TIMES NOWAVAILABLE ONLINE Winter Texan TIMES Serving Winter Texans FromMission To South Padre Island Since 1987 Published By: 2023-2024 EDITION Winter Texan TIMES Serving Winter Texans FromMission To South Padre Island Since 1987 Published By: 2023-2024 Edition 2023 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2023 Park Directory www.WinterTexanTimes.com bustling cities in their own right. In fact, according to the author of the article, many of them are hidden gems in Texas that offer wide open spaces, cultural richness, and cost-conscious opportunities. “McAllen is a great place to live, work, play or visit,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “Whether someone visits for a weekend, or decides to visit forever, McAllen will provide the best vacation or stay-cation not only on a budget, but on any budget.” Costs for a solo traveler for the weekend in McAllen cost $379, compared to $531 in Dallas. Visitors can immerse themselves in the city’s cultural richness with a visit to the International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS), offering free admission on Sundays, where art and science converge in captivating exhibitions; stroll through the lush landscapes of Quinta Mazatlán, a historical mansion-turned-nature center, which provides affordable admission and abundant birdwatching opportunities. And of course, McAllen’s downtown entertainment district offers budget-friendly delights with live music and great local cuisine. Let’s not forget the many places nearby that one can visit when coming to McAllen either. There are museums, historical sites, arts districts, nature centers, and more all located within an hour of McAllen. Cities like Edinburg, Mission, Brownsville, Harlingen, and South Padre Island are close enough to visit that it won’t break the bank to make some plans to visit nearby sites. Accommodation can range from $27 to $89 for a two or three-star hotel, and not much more for a fourstar hotel. If you are just flying in for the weekend to check out the area, flights can range from $602 to $858. TheTravel is a site fueled by writers with a passion for idyllic destinations, helpful and all-encompassing travel guides, as well as travel destination recommendations. MCALLEN From pg. 13 plenty to choose from. There are top notch golf courses and Winter Texans have been known to try them all out and pick favorites. Another popular sport is pickleball. Several parks have added courts to their facilities and parks and recreation departments throughout the Valley have found a benefit in adding it to their city amenities as well. Some parks have an annual mixer, while others have weekly games. Some parks even have nice indoor air-conditioned courts as well. Most parks also have set times for open play and for the various skill levels from beginners to advanced-skilled players. Sports and other active hobbies like cards, pool, and even baking have become so popular in the Winter Texan community, that the City of McAllen has the Golden Age Olympics. The Olympics is designed for the senior community and offers dozens of active and not so active events that seniors – Winter Texans and locals – can compete in. There are also bicycling groups, birdwatching groups, and those that get together for pool aerobics. If you want to stay active during the winter months, south Texas is where you want to be. And if being outside, or sporty, isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other things to do. There are social clubs to participate in – the Red Hatters being a huge one – but there are also other lady and men clubs, supper nights, luncheons, and craft shows. Many parks have craft groups with woodworking, stained glass art, painting classes, and more that offer a wide range of activities you can participate in. You can even find rock clubs, R/C racing, line dancing – you name it, I bet you can find what you are looking for. Something special Winter Texans take from this, and what we see when we are out and about, is that they not only stay active, but they also make long-lasting friendships. ACTIVE From pg. 13
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