Visiting Border Towns of Texas

It’s hard to decide what to do first during your spring or summer break in Texas' border towns. The town of Laredo is a scenic city in southern Texas along the border with Mexico, and home to the Lake Casa Blanca International State Park. Weslaco, set in the southern tip of Texas, has a special treat for its spring visitors – the 2012 Texas Onion Fest. Just 20 minutes east of Weslaco is the city of Harlingen, another adventurous town in the Rio Grande Valley just minutes from South Padre Island. Southern Texas takes summer seriously, so be sure to act accordingly during your time in the border towns.

Although Laredo visitors may have missed the annual Washington's Birthday Celebration, southern Texas travelers are more than welcome to explore Lake Casa Blanca International State Park during their spring or summer break. Bust out the rod and reel at the 1,700-acre Lake Casa Blanca for some catfish, bass and carp fishing, or grab a spot next to the grills for a delicious picnic lunch. Lake Casa Blanca also features water skiing and swimming, while the parkland is open to mountain biking, jogging, and picnicking. Rest that sun-kissed skin at the Best Western hotel in Laredo, and explore the many other activities of Texas’ border towns.

Visitors to Weslaco, don’t miss the 2012 Texas Onion Fest in late March, happening right in Weslaco City Park. Enjoy live music, arts and crafts for show and sale, a Kids Zone, and of course, plenty of onion eating contests. Grab yourself a bloomin’ onion snack, enjoy hands-on activities with your child at the Knapp Medical Family Area, or check out the Onion Fest recipe content – where you can even enter the contest yourself.

Other activities in Weslaco include shooting 18 at the Tierra Santa Golf Club or the Mid Valley Golf Course, or taking the afternoon to stroll through the Weslaco Museum. While in town, be sure to visit the Banderas de Weslaco, a series of state flags on display, or check out the 12-acre Frontera Audubon Center – a must-see for you bird watchers this spring and summer.

An additional outdoor hotspot for southern Texas travelers, Harlingen is open for business when it comes to hunting, fishing and bird watching. Spend your spring or summer break gallivanting on 1,200 acres of parkland in Harlingen, including Pendleton Park, Rangerville Park, and the enormous Lon C. Hill/Fair Park. Try the fairways at the Harlingen Country Club, or make the short trip to South Padre Island for a day at a stunning south Texas beach – right on the Gulf Coast. Try some surfing and dolphin watching, or spend the afternoon at the Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark. Get that sand out of your shoe at the Best Western hotel in Harlingen, and see what else there is to discover in Texas’ border towns.

Border Towns of Texas Hotel Map