Beaver Creek Resort’s slogan is “Not Exactly Roughing It.” It’s definitely not roughing it when you stay at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. From adventure to just soaking up the scenery, you truly escape the ordinary and submerse yourself in extraordinary at this chateau-style Vail resort that is nestled in an idyllic Colorado Rocky Mountain setting.
Beaver Creek
When you enter the gates of Beaver Creek, you trade in the hustle and bustle of regular life for the intimate, cozy, and unhurried life of an Alpine village. It’s the consummate kid-friendly resort and some of the best skiing in the world. Beaver Creek is home to the only men’s World Cup stop in the United States. It is also the home of the World Alpine Ski Championships in February 2015. That will feature two weeks of men’s and women’s racing.
Culinary Exploits
Beaver Creek is quickly becoming one of Colorado’s top culinary destinations. The resort is partnering with FOOD & WINE for the winter culinary festival January 26-28th. Some of the highlights: Snowshoe & Gourmet Lunch; Winter Wonderland Wine Seminar; Apres-Ski Burgers and Beers; Dinners with guest chefs John Besh, Marc Murphy, and Stephanie Izard; First Tracks Breakfast; and Grand Tasting.
The Suite Life
With 190 rooms, the suite-style accommodations at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek are warm and gracious. It’s luxury, yet comfortable. Most rooms have private balconies and the granite and marble bathrooms with Allegria Spa amenities add that extra touch of class and elegance.
Perfect Location
The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek is in the heart of Beaver Creek Village, nestled amongst the shops and restaurants. It has the mountain’s only true ski-in, ski-out access. There’s no need to lug your ski gear through the hotel. The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek ski concierge is first-class service. It is also the first dog-friendly luxury hotel in Beaver Creek. Your pooch will be pampered with special amenities including a plush dog bed. The trails, paths, and dog-friendly parks will give your dog endless outdoor recreation options.
Amenities Galore
The chateau-style property offers many luxurious amenities including the 30,000-square-foot Allegria Spa featuring 23 treatment rooms, full-service fitness center, and slope-side pool and hot tubs. After a day on the slopes, enjoy some relaxation by taking the heated patio and walkways to the outdoor Jacuzzis. Heated towels and robes make it the ultimate luxury experience. The Allegria Spa is debuting several new treatments this ski season. The Javanese Lulur is a royal Indian body treatment that was originally performed to prepare Javanese princesses for their wedding day. It includes a purifying rice and jasmine scrub, a nourishing honey yogurt treatment, and a hot bath infused with jasmine and frangipani followed by cool violet compresses and a jasmine shea butter massage.
Another new treatment is the High Altitude Adjustment Treatment using acupuncture to stimulate oxygen-rich blood flow through the body, a vitamin B-12 shot, and Chinese herbal medicine. Before your treatments, step into the Aqua Sanitas water sanctuary. It is modeled on ancient Roman baths with the Aqua Sanitas, or healing waters, being the origins of spa. This is a timeless tradition of hydrotherapy alternating hot and cold temperatures to regenerate your spirit and promote wellness and inner peace.

Great Menu
With Executive Chef Christian Apetz at the helm in the kitchen of 8100 Mountainside Bar and Grill, you are bound to be blow away with the new, locally-themed menu specializing in natural and organic dishes including elk loin, pancetta braised Brussels sprouts, bleu cheese grits, and pan-seared river trout. Enjoy a before or after dinner cocktail in Antler Hall, with large windows overlooking Beaver Creek Mountain. Don’t miss the special afternoon treats. Complimentary warm chocolate chip cookies are served daily at 3 p.m and enjoy Park Hyatt Beaver Creek’s exclusive s’moresgasbord of fun around a warm, crackling fire at 4pm. It’s fun for the kids, and you will love the little indulgence too.
Awesome Savings
Take advantage of their sunshine on sale and stay that extra night for free. Stay 3 nights, get the 4th night free February 27th – March 8th or stay 5 nights, get the 6th night free March 9th – April 7th.
If you would like to get Swept Away on a ski vacation to the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, contact Rennert Travel, leisure travel division of Corporate Travel Planners, at 210-524-3300. Make sure you say, “Jennifer said I should get Swept Away!”
Article by: Jennifer Broome, owner of “Swept Away with Jennifer Broome”

Envision all of your worries are taken away as you ituated just 16 miles Northwest of downtown San Antonio, lies a magical getaway for the entire family. The AAA Four-Diamond, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa features a 500-room luxury hotel, championship 27-hole golf course, and a full-service, state-of-the-art spa.
A Resort Like No Other
As guest’s enter the hotel lobby, they are reminded of a Texas ranch house, complete with an inviting, shady back porch. As well, on both sides, you can’t help but stand in awe of two massive, open-hearth fireplaces and small conversational groupings of comfortable, overstuffed chairs and sofas.
Dining and Entertainment
You won’t go hungry for very long while at the Resort. It boasts some delectable fare and offers guests anything from simple, casual dining to a more formal experience at Antler’s Lodge. The restaurant features exquisitely prepared steaks, seafood and poultry complemented by seasonal harvests and regional flavors.
Want to whet your whistle? Then you have to stop in on Charlie’s Long Bar, which is a Texas-style saloon with an masterfully-crafted, 56-foot long, copper-topped bar.
What is there to Do?
The choices are almost limitless on your trip. The Resort boasts a championship golf course, three tennis courts, walking/jogging paths, a health club facility and a four-acre water park with three swimming pools and cascading waterfalls. Not too mention, the property has a 950-foot Ramblin’ River intertwined with lush scenery.
You can’t have a Resort without the Spa and the Hyatt Hill Country doesn’t let you down. The Windflower Hill Country Spa is a retreat all in itself. Windflower offers customized 50-80 minute treatments. Sixteen of the 21 treatment rooms, including a couple’s room, are used for massage and the more conventional treatments, while five of the rooms are designed for “wet treatments, such as therapeutic baths, body treatments and Vichy showers.
A Place to Meet
The property houses more than 33,000 square-feet of meeting space, named after towns in the Texas Hill Country region and is anchored by the 13,590 square-foot Hill Country Ballroom. The Resort can accommodate a simple corporate board meeting or a full-blown convention – making it a perfect meeting destination.
Classic Hill Country Rooms
The Resort’s 500 guestrooms, including 58 suites, are strategically situated within nine wings, which all form scenic courtyards. The upscale guestroom decor includes natural stone entryways, espresso-hued furniture and Hyatt’s triple-sheeted, signature Grand Bed.
Contact Information
For more information on the Hyatt Hill Country Resort and Spa, visit their website at hillcountry.hyatt.com or call them at (210) 647-1234 or (800) 233-1234.

Visitors to Texas’ largest Mardi Gras celebration, Mardi Gras! Galveston, are expected to throw more than 3 million beads Feb. 10-21, 2012, while celebrating the feasting and merriment of headliner music performances, parades, family events and other festivities that come with hosting an island style Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras! Galveston 2012 will feature 26 concerts, 24 parades, 19 balcony parties and five elegant masked balls. Due to the revival of a ticketed entertainment district, last year’s event saw an increased attendance and a 50 percent drop in police calls, making it one of the largest and safest Mardi Gras events on record. The 2012 event will be even bigger than 2011, and include a plethora of new features and reasons to be among the over 300,000 people expected to “bead” there!
Hot Chelle Rae to Headline
Live Performances
The American Music Award’s Sprint New Artist of the Year, Hot Chelle Rae, will be the headline entertainer at Mardi Gras! Galveston 2012. Hot Chelle Rae exploded onto the national music scene earlier this year with their single “Tonight, Tonight.” Hot Chelle Rae will perform in front of thousands of fans and Mardi Gras attendees at 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 11. The concert will be held at Saengerfest Park, located at 23rd and Strand St, in Galveston.
New Parades
The first of the 24 parades to take place at Mardi Gras! Galveston 2012 will be the second annual “A Salute to George Mitchell Parade” honoring award recipients Doug and Joan McLeod, held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10. Additional new parades include the Zaniest Golf Cart Parade, the Gloworama Art Car Parade, the Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade and the Shriners Hospitals for Children Parade, benefiting the Shriners Hospitals. There will also be new faces among the parade floats as the public begin to participate in “Build Your Own Krewe,” purchasing space in new processions such as the Houston Chronicle 2012 Parade.
A Funky World Record Attempt
During the 2011 Uptown Funky Umbrella Bridage parade more than 500 participants performed the Hokey Pokey to claim the title of the largest umbrella dance in the Guinness Book of World Records. With a pending challenge set by another country, the 2012 Uptown Funky Umbrella Brigade will need to increase its presence to hold the reigning title. Join the brigade at 20th Street between Mechanic & Strand on Feb. 10 at 8:30 p.m. to march throughout the district.
Family Friendly Events
On Sunday, Feb. 12, Mardi Gras! will transform into Family Gras! for one special day. Family Gras! is set to host kid-friendly events throughout the day. Presented by Moody National Bank, Family Gras! will open their gates at 11 a.m. featuring two parades, live entertainment and grant free admission to the public. Donations will be taken at the gate to benefit the Sunshine Kids and Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Mardi Gras with an Ocean View
Located on a 32-mile-long island, not only is Mardi Gras! Galveston the nation’s third largest Mardi Gras celebration, it comes with an ocean. Each year, in addition to the parades offered in the downtown entertainment district, krewes from around the region host elaborate parades along Seawall Boulevard that are free, open to the public and complemented by an oceanfront carnival with amusement rides and games. Beachfront festivities include a children’s parade, pet parade, a Battle of the Bands, fireworks and several additional parades hosted by the island’s largest and oldest krewes.
A Bead-Dazzling Time
If you’re looking to catch any of the 3 million colorful beads to be thrown from parade floats and downtown balconies, you don’t have to stand in the streets to do it. Mardi Gras! Galveston’s elegant side will feature five masked balls where black-tie attire, lavish buffets, live performers, dancing and parade viewing invoke the evening festivities. Popular events include the Tremont House’s annual Mardi Gras Ball and Parade Viewing Party and the San Luis Salute hosted by Tilman and Paige Fertitta.
About Mardi Gras! Galveston
Mardi Gras, the traditional festival of feasting and merrymaking that precedes the season of Lent, was first publicly observed on Galveston Island in 1867. Following a sabbatical imposed in 1941 by war and challenging times, Mardi Gras! Galveston was revived in 1985 by Galveston-born preservationist and developer George P. Mitchell.
The largest celebration of its kind in Texas, and the third largest in the nation, the event has grown in cultural creativity and imagination, showcasing lavish parades, galas worthy of royalty, original artwork, children’s activities and delicious Gulf Coast cuisine.
Still led by Galvestonians and their respective krewes, the grandeur is evident in the dueling parades that range from whimsical daytime processionals to elaborate night parades offering dramatic flair. The streets come to life with parade viewers shouting for beads, lively tunes played by the colorful marching bands, and the infectious merriment that dominates the island for two full weeks.
During Mardi Gras! Galveston, hotel availability is limited and guests should reserve rooms at the earliest convenience.
     Visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com for a complete schedule of events and more information.

Come to a respected and energetic cultural arts scene, celebrated restaurants featuring flavors from 35 countries, world-renowned theater groups and the brains behind U.S. space exploration, Houston is a diverse metropolis brimming with personality.
Revitalized…
With a revitalized Downtown and expanded meeting facilities, Houston offers a cosmopolitan setting for all conventions and meetings. From Downtown’s George R. Brown Convention Center and adjacent Hilton Americas-Houston to the multi-building Reliant Park campus, Houston offers superior meeting venues. Plus, the convenient METRORail connects Downtown with the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center and Reliant Park, making it easy to travel within the city.
Plenty to Do
With nearly 21,000 concerts, plays, exhibitions and other arts programs presented in Houston annually, residents and visitors have access to a wide variety of cultural programs. On any given night, it’s a safe bet that there’s a show somewhere in Houston’s Theater District. More than 2 million people visit the Downtown area each year to attend one of the city’s world-class performances.
The 17-block area is home to Houston’s year-round resident companies including the symphony, opera, drama and ballet. Tucked between the bustling Midtown and Medical Center areas, rests Houston’s leafy, park-like Museum District. Eighteen world-class institutions, including the Menil Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Houston Museum of Natural Science are clustered in this area, drawing a reported seven million visitors to the district each year.
Consulates and More
Home to 90 consulates—the third-largest consular corps in the nation—Houston radiates with diversity, giving the city one of the most vivid cultural scenes in the country. Project Row Houses, The Ensemble Theatre and The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum are all devoted to showcasing African-American history and culture in the community. Talento Bilingue de Houston is one of the largest Latino cultural centers in the United States, and the Chinatown area showcases Houston’s growing Asian community.
Love to Eat?
Houston’s restaurant scene is as ethnically diverse as its 4 million residents. ForbesTraveler.com ranked Houston as one of the best restaurant cities in America. The city is jam-packed with more than 8,000 tempting eateries that feature culinary flavors from more than 35 countries.
CityPASS
Fast track your way through Houston’s top five must-see attractions like Space Center Houston, Downtown Aquarium and the Museum of Fine Arts with an oh-so-helpful CityPASS. Offering discounted admission to a diverse mix of attractions, plus helpful hints and reviews, CityPASS is your passport to fun.
Parks Galore
With 56,405 acres of total park space, Houston rates first among the nation’s 10 most populous cities in total acreage of park land. The 165 public and private golf courses around the city and teams in nearly every major professional sport keep sports fever high year-round.
Contact Us
For more info, www.visithoustontexas.com.

Modeled on the wildly popular Manhattan Cocktail Classic and New Orleans’ Tales of the Cocktail event.  San Antonio’s own Cocktail Conference is the first of its kind in Texas.  It is bringing together top bartenders for four days of education seminars, guided tastings and cocktail parties.  Conference proceeds will benefit HeartGift San Antonio.
Cocktail Brainchild
The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is the brainchild of local San Antonio restauranteur, Chef Mark Bohanan.
As part of that dedication and love for the city, Bohanan has taken on the task of creating, planning and executing the first-ever San Antonio Cocktail Conference, to be held Thursday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 29.
The event will feature educational seminars, classes, tastings and more, with expert bartenders flying in from across the United States and even as far away as Australia.
As the leader and innovator of the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, Bohanan wants to remind locals of what is available to them right in their own backyards, show tourists why San Antonio is a major destination for both the leisure and business traveler, and showcase the art of classic cocktails.
Great Events
The conference has a myriad of great events and unique conference breakouts over the course of the four-day event.
   Highlighting the events include:
Thursday, Jan. 26 – Bohanan’s
7 p.m. – Midnight, Opening Night Soiree
Bohanan’s Restaurant & Bar

Friday, Jan. 27
Classes throughout the day beginning at 11 a.m., Tasting Rooms open from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Noon – 7 p.m., $5 cocktails in Bohanan’s Courtyard
7 p.m. – Midnight, Party at Soho, downtown’s original Craft Cocktail Bar and Ocho Lounge at Havana Hotel; complimentary Rio Taxi between two parties provided to ticket holders by Rio San Antonio Cruises

Saturday, Jan. 28
Classes throughout the day beginning at 10 a.m., Tasting Rooms open from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Noon – 7 p.m., $5 cocktails in Bohanan’s Courtyard
7 p.m. – Midnight, Closing Celebration
The Esquire Tavern

Sunday, Jan. 29
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., CINCO Vodka Bloody Mary Brunch at Sheraton Gunter Hotel

For a Good Cause
HeartGift San Antonio is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from countries where the care they need is either unavailable or inaccessible.
A team of volunteers, nurses, physicians, hospital staff and donors work together to fulfill the dreams and hopes of families from Mexico to Africa that their child will grow up to live a long and healthy life.
More information
Planning on attending the First Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference, just visit their corporate website at www.sanantoniococktailconference.com.
There you can find all event details, schedules and fees for each on. Cheers!

The New Year always brings resolutions, goals and meaningful reflection. Well, we have done that at The Hotel Guide and storm into 2012 on a high note. For one, we are expanding our reach and now being sent to 12 million travelers yearly.
As well, we have unveiled our new and vastly-improved corporate website and blog which you are now a part of. This allows us to continually post fresh content, in addition to our features in our digital magazine. And, you can now offer comments and feedback to all of our posted editorial.
But, don’t forget the basis of all of this – The Hotel Guide itself which is the cornerstone of our company. This year we plan on bringing you more incredible features on some of the area’s top hotels, destinations, attractions and events. If you want to read about something, e-mail us and let us know.
You can’t have the total package without an updated mobile site and adjoining social media channels. We have done just that. Now, you can peruse our editorial content via our mobile site and also stay connected via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
In essence, we ask that you read the magazine and share it with your friends and family. We love travel and we love bringing it to you on a consistent basis.
Thanks,

Publisher, The Hotel Guide

Las Vegas is all about indulgence. It’s about the biggest and the best.
So when it came time to kick off the Las Vegas section of The Hotel Guide,it was a no-brainer to start with The Palazzo. It’s one of the new kingsof luxury on the Las Vegas Strip.
Something Special
As soon as you step foot into The Palazzo, you instantly know you’re about to experience something special. The lobby not only features a beautiful,two-story waterfall, but also a living garden that changes themes every few weeks. And the service? You’re treated like a high roller – even if your bank roll doesn’t quite match.
Captivating Casino
From there, you walk into the 105,000 square-foot casino (with the coolest lighted columns ever seen, by the way). Blackjack, craps, baccarat,roulette – you name it. Tables are everywhere, with denominations for every budget. More than a thousand slot machines are ringing for you – all the way up to $500 a spin.
The Palazzo also features one of the most amazing Race & Sports Books I’ve ever seen. Forget the cramped and uncomfortable chairs of other casinos, this one features theater-style seating. You can even rent it out for big events.
A Suite Life
The luxury doesn’t stop there. The Palazzo is known for its amazing suites – all 3,066 of them. What’s more impressive: the Italian marble countertops – or the amazing beds? What about the three flat-screen TVs in each suite? Don’t forget about the remote-controlled blinds and the unbelievable views.
For an extra $100 a night, you can kick it up a notch with The Palazzo’s concierge service. You’ll gain access to the unbelievable Concierge Suite on the 23rd floor. Breakfast, lunch, hors d’oeuvres and an open bar are all yours for the taking. You’ll even have a private elevator back to your suite – just to feel even more special.

Delectable Dining
If you’re looking for a delicious meal, The Palazzo features more than 15 restaurants. Celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Charlie Trotter and Emeril Lagasse all have restaurants here. In fact, a close friendsaid he got goose bumps after taking a bite at Emeril’s Table 10 restaurant. Yes, it’s that good.
Outstanding Shopping
Once you find time to venture away from your room and the casino, the luxury continues at The Shoppes at The Palazzo. No store defines luxury like Barneys New York and the largest Barneys in the world is right here at The Palazzo.
Entertain Me
You can then visit the Strip’s only Lamborghini dealership and even dine with an amazing view of the showroom floor. The Palazzo is also home to the world-renowned Canyon Ranch SpaClub and seven pools. Throw in the Tony-award winning musical “Jersey Boys” and the hip nightclub Lavo, and there’s no reason to even leave the hotel.
The Palazzo means “the palace” in Italian. So go ahead and allow yourself be treated like royalty.
For more information, visit www.palazzolasvegas.com or call 877-883-6423.

Houston never looked so good. After a $2.5 million renovation, the Hotel Derek has become the chic boutique hotel in the metroplex. Situated minutes from the fashionable Galleria area, the hotel is turning heads and dropping jaws.Each of the hotel’s 314 rooms, including, its suites, exude a warm, residential feel which is the leading trend in hotel design today.
Upscale Feel
Crisp white custom duvet covers made exclusively for the Derek feature a “white on white” Greek Key patterned fabric with a single row Barratta embroidery on all four sides. Pillow shams were made in a matching fabric and style. A decorative signature pillow was added to the bed, featuring an embroidered Hotel Derek logo. One of the most noticeable additions is the bold geometric print carpet and the addition of French-pleat stylized drapes, which help set the residential tone. Contemporary art, also custom by Caroyl LaBarge, adorns the wall. A vibrant and fresh palette of colors include: purple, orange, brown and green. A similar color palette accentuates executive and presidential suites, although each suite has a decidedly distinctive look.
Contemporary lamp fixtures, sleek desk accessories, and high-tech toys like 37-inch flat screen televisions and Wi-Fi connections are in stark contrast to the warm décor. A trend Hotel Derek began when it opened.
“We are excited about the residential feel and know that guests checking in are going to find the changes luxurious and refreshing,” said Hotel Derek General Manager, Hans Schmitt. With a prime location across from the Galleria and Uptown Houston, we know the new look will be appreciated by our discerning guests who want an extension of their own home when they travel. That is precisely what our new rooms provide,” added Schmitt.
Event Space
The Hotel Derek has more than 10,000-square feet of event space, which can be divided into nine rooms including a 4,800-square-foot ballroom and two executive boardrooms with dataports at each seat.
The property is a haven for business executives and functions and with it’s incredible location, the Hotel Derek is a sure winner.
In an effort to continually keep ahead of the curve with bold room design and innovative guest hospitality, the Hotel Derek is introducing its new Green Room Rates. The Hotel’s management firm announced EarthPact, a comprehensive green initiative for its 70 full and select service hotels that addresses sustainability across the entire spectrum of hotel operations.
In addition, meeting and event planners can book a green meeting and save a little ‘green’ in the process while helping to reduce their carbon footprint. Hotel Derek offers acustomized Green Meetings Package. Green room rates yield big savings for travelers and meeting planners and is offering up to a 30% discount off its best corporate rate. More information call 713-961- 3000 or visit www.hotelderek.com

Rising Swedish DJ, remixer, and producer Avicii and At Night Management announced  the official dates for their one million dollar House For Hunger January 2012 Tour. The tour which boasts 26 high-performance shows packed into 27 days is set to kick-off on Thursday, January 5th in Detroit, Michigan and will make stop in cities throughout the U.S. where fans have yet to see Avicii perform.
He will be performing in San Antonio on January 17th at Cowboys Dance Hall. Tickets for the San Antonio Show can be purchased HERE.
Grammy-Nominated DJ
On the heels of a Best Dance Recording Grammy nomination for the co-produced David Guetta track “Sunshine,” U.S. fans will get to hear for the first time live Avicii’s newly released single “Levels” which has been declared the “Tune of 2011″ by David Guetta in DJ Mag.
House for Hunger Tour
Avicii and his manager and executive producer Arash “Ash” Pournouri have also announced a commitment to donate $1 million dollars in gig fees personally received from the tour to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization comprised of more than 200 member food banks across the country. The donation will help provide approximately 8 million meals to those in need through Feeding America.
Additionally, during the House For Hunger Tour, Avicii, Ash and local promoters hope to raise awareness about the reality of hunger issues faced today by many working Americans and engage the next generation of leaders to join in the fight against hunger.
Helping with the Hunger Problem
“Hunger hits everywhere and the US is not immune to it,” said Avicii upon announcing the House For Hunger Tour. “For me personally when I found out how widespread the hunger problem in the United States actually was it blew my mind. I never would have imagined that 1 in 6 people in America struggle with hunger or that 1 in 4 children routinely do not get enough to eat. “It feels right to kick off this movement of giving back in the US, seeing how many amazing experiences and opportunities America has given me over the past two years, as well as the support I’ve gotten from my fans here,” he added.
Avicii’s manager Ash Pournouri continued, “This is the first time in electronic music history that someone is stepping up in such a massive way to engage fans in a movement to give back in their communities.” “I felt it was time to turn a corner and tear down the negative stereotypes of drugs and reckless partying often associated with the house/trance/dance music scene as it’s a far cry from what the reality of electronic music is today. So Avicii and I are putting our money where our mouth is and taking the first step to give back to the country and the fans that have helped shape our careers,” he concluded.
Tickets for the San Antonio Show can be purchased HERE.

Located in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, Texas offers historic sites, family fun and outdoor adventures. Near the southern tip of Texas, at the lower end of the Rio Grande Valley, the city of Harlingen is an exciting blend of South Texas hospitality and the rich, colorful traditions of Mexico.
With landscapes edged by palm trees and flaming bougainvillea, Harlingen is home to everything tropical, from red crowned parrots to palm trees and bougainvilleas that dominate the landscape. The beautiful beaches of South Padre Island are also only minutes away.
Downtown Harlingen
Downtown Harlingen is situated along the picturesque palm-lined Jackson Street that has served as Harlingen’s “Main Street” for more than a century.  Downtown Harlingen features a variety of unique shops that specialize in home decor, apparel, original Texas and Mexican artwork, hand-made jewelry, gifts, antiques, and collectibles.  A vintage vinyl shop , 100-year-old seed store and garden center, and authentic army surplus store are just a few of the reasons that locals and visitors alike flock to the area.  Jackson Street is the site of many community festivals and events, Market Days on the first Saturday of every month and the annual Christmas Parade.
Harlingen Murals
Harlingen, the mural capital of South Texas, has more than a dozen interesting and colorful artworks on display. Drive through Downtown Harlingen and enjoy the beautiful murals that describe Harlingen’s history as a major city in the development of the Rio Grande Valley. From the old cinema downtown to the historic Route 77, murals can be found on the outside and inside of many Harlingen buildings that tell the story of Harlingen’s heritage.
Original Iwo Jima Memorial Monument & Museum
Harlingen’s Marine Military Academy is home to the original working model of the famous bronze statue at Arlington National Cemetery. This stunning outdoor sculpture was donated to the school by sculptor Dr. Felix W. de Weldon. It depicts the raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. The museum features Marine Corps Memorabilia, a video about the battle, and a veteran’s Hall of Fame.
Birding
The city is known worldwide as a tropical birder’s paradise because of its location on the convergence of two major flyways. Birders flock to Harlingen year round to spot exotic and migratory birds. Harlingen is home to one of nine World Birding Centers in the Rio Grande Valley, Ramsey Nature Park. Pick up a birding checklist at the Harlingen Convention and Visitors Bureau and see how many species you can identify. Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of birds and peak at some of the more uncommon species including Green Jays, Great Kiskadees, Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds and the Altamira Oriole. Harlingen is also home to the famous Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival. Each November birders from across the globe come to explore our region and it’s unique tropical birds.
Bass Pro Shop
Harlingen is home to Bass Pro Shop’s newest destination outdoor superstore that includes a restaurant, bowling alley and archery range. Outdoor enthusiasts will discover their next great South Texas adventure begins at the new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Harlingen.   While you’ll find a huge selection of outdoor gear, Bass Pro Shops stores are also part museum, art gallery, antique store and an aquarium, education, conservation and entertainment center. Bowling like you’ve never seen before will be offered at the Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill.
This 15,000 square-foot nautical-themed entity, located within the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store, features a truly unique atmosphere and design geared for family fun and dining. Dock wood lanes feature beautiful under-water scenery of sea turtles, sharks, stingrays and other saltwater species which will also glow in the dark during cosmic bowling.  Hand-painted murals depicting oceanic life line the walls and fish, like a 16’ long giant squid, hang suspended from the ceiling. More than a hunting and fishing store, visitors will also find items perfect for camping, hiking, outdoor cooking, bird watching or whatever your outdoor pleasures may be.
Golf
Harlingen is the perfect destination for golf. In fact, according to a poll by the National Golf Foundation, the Rio Grande Valley has more playable days of golf per year than anywhere else in the United States.  Our tropical climate makes us a great destination to enjoy a game of golf year round.
The city has four public golf courses and one private course.  Just down the road are two 18 hole championship courses at Rancho Viejo Resort and a picturesque 18 hole course along the Laguna Madre Bay at the South Padre Island Golf Club.Whether you are a beginner or pro, Harlingen and the surrounding area has a course for you showcasing the natural beauty of South Texas.
Contact Us
For more information on visiting this incredible Texas city, go to www.visitharlingentexas.com