Joshua's Pharr Guidebook
Food scene
Authentic Mexican food.
The Posole is my favorite. Also try the Gorditas.
For desert, their homemade cake is amazing.
Tamales Guadalajara
1901 W Dicker RdAuthentic Mexican food.
The Posole is my favorite. Also try the Gorditas.
For desert, their homemade cake is amazing.
The best Raspa and Snacks stand in the Rio Grande Valley - hands down.
Their raspas (aka mexican snow cone) are the best!
Elotes (corn in a cup) are also a must try if you’ve never had one.
Snowball Express
1300 S I RdThe best Raspa and Snacks stand in the Rio Grande Valley - hands down.
Their raspas (aka mexican snow cone) are the best!
Elotes (corn in a cup) are also a must try if you’ve never had one.
The best place to visit for good vibes, a relaxed environment, drinks, food trucks, and live music. They do allow dogs and they have brunch on Sundays.
The Yard
401 S 17th StThe best place to visit for good vibes, a relaxed environment, drinks, food trucks, and live music. They do allow dogs and they have brunch on Sundays.
Very popular Mexican tacos de bistek (beef) and baked potatoes with bistek. They taste amazing! Ask for less grease if you are trying to watch the calories.
Taqueria La Herradura #3 802 E Expy 83 PHARR
802 E Expressway 83Very popular Mexican tacos de bistek (beef) and baked potatoes with bistek. They taste amazing! Ask for less grease if you are trying to watch the calories.
A local beer brewery that hosts food trucks and live music on weekend evenings. Outdoor setting. Great for beer fans!
7 locals recommend
5x5 Brewing Co.
801 Bryan RdA local beer brewery that hosts food trucks and live music on weekend evenings. Outdoor setting. Great for beer fans!
Peter Piper Pizza
1715 South Cage BoulevardThe best pizza I have ever had! Arcade for the kids and TVs for sports.
Sightseeing
This is the most popular spot for nature lovers and bird watchers. Located on the banks of the Rio Grande, it has beautiful views from the watch tower and various wildlife observation decks.
23 locals recommend
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
3325 Green JayThis is the most popular spot for nature lovers and bird watchers. Located on the banks of the Rio Grande, it has beautiful views from the watch tower and various wildlife observation decks.
The safest Mexican city to visit. Shop Mexican food/candy/decor/clothing, and try authentic Mexican elotes en vaso (corn in a cup) or entero (cob on a stick). Be sure to get the less spicy chile on your corn (say: “con el chile que no pica”).
Try out Arturo’s Restaurant for amazing food and service.
17 locals recommend
Nuevo Progreso
The safest Mexican city to visit. Shop Mexican food/candy/decor/clothing, and try authentic Mexican elotes en vaso (corn in a cup) or entero (cob on a stick). Be sure to get the less spicy chile on your corn (say: “con el chile que no pica”).
Try out Arturo’s Restaurant for amazing food and service.
Just 5 minutes from the Pharr townhouse, this is one of the most popular birding, butterfly, and vegetation viewing locations in the Rio Grande Valley. It’s free to walk the trails during open hours.
41 locals recommend
Quinta Mazatlan
600 Sunset DrJust 5 minutes from the Pharr townhouse, this is one of the most popular birding, butterfly, and vegetation viewing locations in the Rio Grande Valley. It’s free to walk the trails during open hours.
Fun Things To Do
One of the best beaches in the world! Warm waters, affordable attractions, nice waves, and usually very safe for swimmers.
186 locals recommend
South Padre Island
One of the best beaches in the world! Warm waters, affordable attractions, nice waves, and usually very safe for swimmers.
The RGV’s Zoo is a popular local attraction for families, couples, and visitors.
91 locals recommend
Gladys Porter Zoo
500 E Ringgold StThe RGV’s Zoo is a popular local attraction for families, couples, and visitors.
Fun for families, adults, couples, and groups of friends! You don’t need to know golf to enjoy it!
32 locals recommend
Topgolf
1901 I-2Fun for families, adults, couples, and groups of friends! You don’t need to know golf to enjoy it!
The #1 mall in the United States in sales due to shoppers from Mexico.
86 locals recommend
La Plaza Mall
2200 S 10th StThe #1 mall in the United States in sales due to shoppers from Mexico.
This is another shopping and restaurant center of McAllen. It has great restaurants, like P.F. Chang’s, Pei Wei, and Texas Longhorn Steakhouse. It also has coffee shops, boba tea, candy stores, and a scenic walk around the convention center.
31 locals recommend
McAllen Convention Center
700 Convention Center BlvdThis is another shopping and restaurant center of McAllen. It has great restaurants, like P.F. Chang’s, Pei Wei, and Texas Longhorn Steakhouse. It also has coffee shops, boba tea, candy stores, and a scenic walk around the convention center.
Main Event Pharr
500 N Jackson RdFun arcades, bowling, tight rope for kids, and laser tag!
A very popular outlet mall in Mercedes, TX. Outdoor walking.
64 locals recommend
Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets
5001 E Expressway 83A very popular outlet mall in Mercedes, TX. Outdoor walking.