Page 22 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2026-2027 derlands, a selection of the Valley Land Fund books and books by local authors. You can also purchase tee shirts, magnets, coffee mugs and other McAllen souvenirs. Also offered are vintage jewelry pieces and items crafted by local artisans. Take a photo at our outdoor mural located in our La Placita Park entitled, “Greetings from McAllen”. There is much to see and enjoy at the museum and we hope you visit us soon! Call to inquire about group tours or field trips. There is no admission fee, however door donations are accepted. Limited free parking is available in the rear parking area. The McAllen Heritage Center is located at 301 S. Main St. in McAllen. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call (956) 687-1904, email info@mcallenheritagecenter.com, or visit the website at www. mcallenheritagecenter.com or the Facebook page for current exhibits and other information. Payne Arena The Payne Arena is a multi-purpose complex that features a 6,800-seat arena that will configure up to 5,500 seats for basketball, ice hockey, football, and soccer and a center stage concert capacity of 7,000 seats. The arena features 25 suites and 500 club seats. The property also includes 2,200 parking spaces, a lounge with access from outside of the arena, as well as a bar and pro shop. Throughout the years, Payne Arena has featured shows, concerts, sporting events and other entertaining events. The Arena is located at 2600 N. 10th St. (Hwy. 336) in Hidalgo. Tickets can be purchased from the box office, Ticketmaster, or other outlets. Visit www.hidalgoarena.com or call (956) 6461050 for a schedule of events or more information. Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum The Magic Valley’s early 20th Century transition into an agricultural powerhouse is retold at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum, which also embraces nature conservation as a wing of the World Birding Center. The Old Hidalgo Pumphouse began pumping water to create an agricultural empire north of the Rio Grande in 1909 when the Louisiana-Rio Grande Canal Company installed steam-driven pumps, fueled by mesquite wood to pump the water to irrigate farms. The Pumphouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, exhibits the steam engines and pumps and tells the story of how agriculture was developed in the Rio Grande Valley. This site overall is a hidden treasure, with beautiful sceneries of its gardens where you can enjoy nature with native trees, native shrubs, and native plants; these features attract birds and butterflies. The Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum and World Birding Center, located at 902 S. 2nd St. in Hidalgo, is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays through Sundays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to wander the grounds is free to all visitors, but there is a charge on museum and scheduled historical trolley tours. The museum tour fee is $3, and the historical trolley tour fee is $5. Photography sessions, venue rentals, and bicycle rentals are also offered. For more information call (956) 843-8686, visit www.cityofhidalgo.net, or check the Facebook page at www.facebook. com/HidalgoPumphouseMuseumandWorldBirdingCenter/. World’s Largest Killer Bee Fear of bees raged across the United States when aggressive African Killer Bees first entered the United States in 1990 in Hidalgo, Texas. Today a statue next to the Hidalgo City Hall at 600 Old Military Rd. marks the city as the place the feared bees first entered the U.S. Statue of Father Hidalgo Located on the grounds of the Hidalgo Memorial Park is the statue of Father Miguel Hidalgo, for whom the city and county are named, which pays tribute to the Catholic Father known as a champion for human rights. He was influential in starting the Mexican Revolution against Spain while Texas was still part of Mexico. Father Hidalgo issued his famous Grito de Dolores, calling for Mexican Revolution on September 16, 1810. The statue is located at the entrance to the park at the north end of Esperanza Ave.
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