McAllen, Texas
McAllen is a city of 145,385 people in Hidalgo County, Texas, founded in 1904.
Why visit McAllen
Townapedia lists 35 museums and landmarks, 58 parks and trails, 244 places to eat, 32 places to stay and 7 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Cinemark Pharr Town Center and XD, Cinemark Hollywood USA, Border Theater and First Lift Station.
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 99°F; January lows average 49°F.
Weather in McAllen
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About McAllen
McAllen is a city in the U.S. state of Texas. It is located at the southern tip of the state in the Rio Grande Valley, on the Mexican border. The city limits extend south to the Rio Grande, across from the Mexican city of Reynosa. As of the 2025 census estimate, McAllen's population was 150,640, making it the most populous city in Hidalgo County, the second most populous city in the Rio Grande Valley, and the 23rd-most populous city in Texas.
From the Wikipedia article McAllen, Texas (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do7
South Texas College
School · 0.7 mi
Public community college in McAllen and Rio Grande Valley, Texas, United States
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
School · 7.1 mi
Public research university in Texas, U.S.A.
Museums and landmarks35
Border Theater
Cinema and theater · National Register of Historic Places · 5.0 mi
Historic place in Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas
First Lift Station
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.3 mi
Building in Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas
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M and J Nelson Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Historic place in McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas
Mission Citrus Growers Union Packing Shed
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.4 mi
Building in Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas
Museum of South Texas History
Museum · 7.5 mi
Non-profit organization in the USA
23 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds58
National Butterfly Center
Park · 8.0 mi
Nature preserve near Mission, Texas, United States
Allen & William Arnold City/School Park
Park · 3.8 mi
As a city/school park, it's closed during school hours. During weekends, holidays, and summer it's open 06:00-23:00.
615 West Eldora Road, Pharr
Kid's Wonderland
Playground · 4.0 mi
8016 North 10th Street
Mo-Th 11:00-20:00; Fr 11:00-21:00; Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 11:00-19:00
McAllen Sports Park
Park · 1.5 mi
3301 Buddy Owens Boulevard, McAllen
46 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes244
7 Brew
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 3.9 mi
3000 West Trenton Road, Edinburg
Su-Th 05:30-22:00, Fr-Sa 05:30-23:00
Commonspace
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.3 mi
2901 North 10th Street, McAllen
Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa-Su 10:00-22:00
Container Taco Factory
Restaurant · Mexican · 3.6 mi
7824 North 23rd Street, McAllen
Mo-Sa 17:00-22:00
Corner Bakery
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.2 mi
3400 Expressway 83, McAllen
Mo-Sa 07:30-22:00, Su 07:30-21:00
Khan's Grill
Restaurant · Mongolian, Barbecue · 2.5 mi
529 East Nolana Avenue
Su-Th 11:00-21:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
Kurai Sushi & Chinese Buffet
Restaurant · Sushi, Chinese · 3.9 mi
3020 West Trenton Road, Edinburg
Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Mariscos El 7 Mares
Restaurant · Seafood, Mexican · 3.3 mi
2500 East Expressway 83, Mission
Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Taqueria La Herradura
Restaurant · Mexican, Tex-Mex · 3.3 mi
2200 Trenton Road, McAllen
Mo-Su 11:00-02:30
232 more on the map.
History
In 1904, the Hidalgo and San Miguel Extension (now the Sam Fordyce Branch) of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway reached the Santa Anita Ranch. John McAllen and his son James had donated land to the railroad to guarantee it would cross this area. On December 5, 1904, the McAllen Townsite Company was formed by Uriah Lott, Leonidas C. Hill Sr., John McAllen (1826-1913), James Ballí McAllen (1862-1916), and John J. Young. The new community, which was named for John McAllen, had the depot nearest the county seat, Hidalgo, 8 mi (13 km) to the south.
By 1911, 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) were under cultivation in East McAllen: commodity crops of cotton, alfalfa, broom corn, citrus fruits, grapes, and figs were raised. East McAllen had an estimated population of 1,000 that year, and West McAllen had ceased to exist. In 1911, the town applied for and was issued a charter of incorporation under the name McAllen. In 1916, 20,000 New York state troops were stationed at McAllen to help quell border disturbances related to the Mexican Civil War. The resulting economic boom increased the population from 1,200 in 1916 to 6,000 in 1920.
From the History section of McAllen, Texas on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay32
Embassy Suites McAllen Convention Center
Motel and hotel · 2.0 mi
800 Convention Center Boulevard, McAllen
Holiday Inn Express & Suites McAllen - Medical Center Area
Motel and hotel · 2.8 mi
1800 South 6th Street, McAllen
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mission-McAllen Area
Motel and hotel · 3.4 mi
901 South Shary Road, Mission
La Quinta Inn & Suites McAllen Convention Center
Motel and hotel · 2.0 mi
801 South Ware Road, McAllen
La Quinta Inn & Suites McAllen La Plaza Mall
Motel and hotel · 2.3 mi
1120 South 12th Street, McAllen
Churches and places of worship38
Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle
Church · 5.8 mi
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church
Church · Roman Catholic · 1.4 mi
1108 West Hackberry Avenue, McAllen
Shopping60
Gas and EV charging40
Schools, colleges and libraries99
Healthcare27
Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.9 mi
4314 North 10th Street, McAllen
McAllen Emergency Room
Clinic and pharmacy · 3.1 mi
6700 North 10th Street, McAllen
Map of McAllen
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 71°F | 49°F | 0.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Feb | 76°F | 53°F | 0.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Mar | 82°F | 59°F | 1.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Apr | 87°F | 65°F | 1.4 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 92°F | 71°F | 1.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 96°F | 76°F | 3.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 98°F | 77°F | 1.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 99°F | 77°F | 1.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 94°F | 73°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 89°F | 66°F | 2.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 80°F | 57°F | 1.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 73°F | 51°F | 0.6 in | 0.1 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Mcallen (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Hidalgo County has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2025-05-21: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
- 2024-07-09: Hurricane Beryl (Hurricane)
- 2021-02-19: Severe Winter Storms (Severe Ice Storm)
- 2021-02-14: Severe Winter Storm (Severe Ice Storm)
- 2020-07-26: Hurricane Hanna (Hurricane)
- 2020-03-25: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
McAllen-Miller International Airport (MFE) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 3 miles away.
- Palmhurst 4 mi northwest, about 6 min by car
- Mission 5 mi west, about 8 min by car
- Pharr 5 mi southeast, about 9 min by car
- Alton 6 mi northwest, about 10 min by car
- San Juan 6 mi southeast, about 10 min by car
- Lopezville 6 mi east, about 9 min by car
- West Sharyland 7 mi northwest, about 11 min by car
- North Alamo 7 mi east, about 12 min by car
- Edinburg 9 mi northeast, about 14 min by car
- Brownsville 50 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Cityscape of McAllen, Texas, Anthony Acosta, CC BY-SA 4.0
- McAllen, TX, USA - panoramio (1), Mig Esc, CC BY 3.0
- Rotary Club of McAllen, Texas - Large Letter Postcard (50081765828), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- McAllen, TX, USA - panoramio (2), Mig Esc, CC BY 3.0
- Greetings from McAllen, Texas - Large Letter Postcard (8202972816), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- McAllen, TX, USA - panoramio, Mig Esc, CC BY 3.0
- Skyline of McAllen, Theunderratedtaco, CC BY-SA 4.0
- McAllen International Airport, Main Terminal, EEJCC, CC BY-SA 4.0
- McAllen International Airport, waiting area, EEJCC, CC BY-SA 4.0
- BorderTheater, Andres Gonzalez, CC BY-SA 4.0
- M and J Nelson Building 2012-09-13 14-03-43, 25or6to4, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sam and Marjorie Miller House, Onleal91, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Mary S. and Gordon Griffin House, Onleal91, CC BY-SA 3.0
- International Museum of Art & Science, Aidrogo, CC BY 4.0
- Dandy Heat Live, Jmaboard, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Chenopodium pratericola 15754408, Jaxon Rickel, CC BY 4.0
- Thalpius horni, Rich Sommer, CC BY 4.0
- Cymaenes trebius cropped, Jaxon Rickel, CC BY 4.0
- Anjelah Johnson 2016, Anthony Acosta, CC BY 2.0
- Harrisia bonplandii 4, psweet, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Harrisia bonplandii 5, psweet, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Harrisia bonplandii 27, Annika Lindqvist, CC BY 4.0
- OsirisField, TruthfulCooper, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Dendrocygna bicolor 339604300, Adam Jackson, CC0
- La Plaza Mall - panoramio, Mig Esc, CC BY 3.0
- Pharr, TX 78577, USA - panoramio, Mig Esc, CC BY 3.0
- Mission, TX, USA - panoramio, Mig Esc, CC BY 3.0
- Mission, TX, USA - panoramio - Mig Esc (1), Mig Esc, CC BY 3.0
- Mission, TX, USA - panoramio - Mig Esc, Mig Esc, CC BY 3.0
- Mission, TX, USA - panoramio - Mig Esc (2), Mig Esc, CC BY 3.0
- ISS053-E-265910 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS047-E-8176 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS053-E-265911 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
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