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Harlingen

Harlingen, Texas
Sitting in the lower Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen is a popular stop for "winter Texans," those residents of northern climes in the U.S. who make the trek south every winter (see the note about Sun Country Airlines down below for proof of this).

The city sits in fertile farming country and is very convenient to other tourist destinations and Mexico. Day trips to Brownsville, the beach resort at South Padre Island, and into northern Mexico are easilyl accomplished from Harlingen. South Padre Island is about 40 miles away, and Brownsville just 25 miles away.

The Free Trade Bridge, connecting Texas and Mexico, is just 10 miles southwest of Harlingen and leads visitors to Rio Progreso, Mexico.

Harlingen is considered one of the best destinations for birders in the U.S. Ramsey Nature Park and Harlingen Thicket Bird Sanctuary are popular birdwatching spots right in town; other great spots, including the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, the World Birding Center and Los Ebanos Preserve.

For activities in town, visitors can wager on (or just watch) greyhound racing at Valley Race Park. The Downtown Jackson Street District features a ton of antiques, with Market Days held the first Saturday of every month.

The Rio Grande Valley White Wings are a minor-league baseball team that plays at Harlingen Field. The best museum in town is the Rio Grande Valley Museum.

More Harlingen Attractions
• Granny Clare's Citrus Grove
• Iwo Jima Monument and Memorial Museum
• Forever Living Aloe Plantation

Make Harlingen Reservations

If you are traveling to Harlingen and need air, hotel or rental car reservations, you can make those arrangements right here on AIA Texas. Visit our Texas Travel Reservations page to find the best rates.

Getting to Harlingen

Harlingen is in deep South Texas, about halfway between McAllen and Brownsville. U.S. Highway 83 connects the three cities, with McAllen to the west of Harlingen, and Brownsville to the southeast of Harlingen. Corpus Christi is about 2 hours due north of Harlingen via Highway 77.

The Rio Grande Valley International Airport is located in Harlingen and serves the surrounding area, including the resort city of South Padre Island (to the east of Harlingen). The airport is served by Southwest and Continental Express airlines. Sun Country Airlines offers charters and seasonal non-stop service to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

View Harlingen on the map (link opens in a new window)

Explore More - Harlingen Links

These links take you off AIA Texas and open in a new browser window.
• Harlingen Chamber of Commerce - Visitors Info
• City of Harlingen official website
• Rio Grande Valley International Airport
• Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
• Los Ebanos Preserve
• Valley Race Park
• Valley Morning Star newspaper

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