HOW TO

EA T,SHOP,

and

ROCKLIKE A LOCAL

HOW TO

EA T,SHOP,

and

ROCKLIKE A LOCAL

ON THE COVER:The Embassy Suites Convention Center Hotel is set to The Embassy Suites Convention Center Hotel is set to open in 2016. The full service, upscale hotel will offer two-room suites, free cooked-to-order breakfast and a complimentary evening reception with appetizers and beverages. Both leisure and business travelers looking

for an approachable, upscale experience will feel right at home. With the modern amenities you’ve come to expect

within walking distance to the McAllen Convention within walking distance to the McAllen Convention Center, the hotel is a welcome addition to McAllen’s the

thriving hospitality industry.

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WELCOME TO MCALLENMcAllen Mayor Jim Darling welcomes youto the City of McAllen.

eat like a localIn the kitchen with Chef Adam Cavazos.

mcallen food parkSouth Texas' first mobile food park, centered inSouth Texas' first mobile food park, centered inthe heart of downtown McAllen.

play like a localDiscover McAllen’s green spaces.

shop like a localEverything you need to know about shopping in McAllen.

A NIGHT OUTLive music, dancing, or swanky lounges - McAllen has Live music, dancing, or swanky lounges - McAllen has something for everyone.

FEATUREDARTICLES

hotel directory, restaurant listingsand entertainment guide

Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved.The McAllen Visitors Guide is published by the McAllen Chamber

of Commerce’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. Photos courtesy of BRNDhub.For advertising information, please contact Robert Lopez at rlopez@mcallencvb.com

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OCTober 3RD & 4TH

January 29-31, 2016

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FAVORITEEATSTaste the variety of South Texas’s culinary scene from some of the best local restaurants.

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McAllen is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, and with thousands of MexicanNationals visiting on a daily basis, it is no wonder McAllen is the mecca for shopping in South Texas.

La Plaza Mall, the city’s retail core, has more La Plaza Mall, the city’s retail core, has more than 150 specialty retailers, including high-end stores like Michael Kors, ArmaniExchange and BCBGMAXAZRIA. The mall is also home to big-name fashion houses carrying designers Valentino, Burberry, Tory Burch and Jimmy Choo, to name a few.

If you want to shop like a local then look no If you want to shop like a local then look no further than McAllen’s locally owned boutiques. The Shops at Village Oaks shopping center on 10th Street is notorious for carrying must-have merchandise. The center isanchored by Sylvia’s and Uniques which have anchored by Sylvia’s and Uniques which have been local favorites for decades, and stores like Carats Jewels, OH Kay’s and Zoodles with the latest outfits or accessories to ensure your style is one-of-a-kind.

North McAllen is also a fashionable shopping North McAllen is also a fashionable shopping destination, with locally-owned stores like Jones & Jones, Maripoza Boutique and Shop112 which has become a Valley favorite, and was recently voted best boutique by The Monitor.

Whether you’re in the market for fine furnishings, one-of-a-kind jewelry or when thefurnishings, one-of-a-kind jewelry or when theprescription just calls for some retail therapy, McAllen has got it all!

Q&A WITH GINNA

» What are the 3 must-own clothing items you need in South Texas?A great pair of flip flop A great pair of flip flop sandals or wedges, a sundress and some fab shades. I mean let’s get real...Texas heat does not mess around! 

» » What is the theory behind your personal fashion style?Just be myself. There are no rules. If I feel confident and beautiful, that's what I'm wearing.

» » What are theadvantages toshopping local?I'm a huge advocate for shopping local. I love supporting small business, and I love the business, and I love the unique pieces that can be found at a local boutique.

askaw ay

/ginnavillarrealhttp://fabmixmasterg.blotspot.com

Ginna Villarreal, Fashion Blogger

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LOCALShop

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thevalleyite.com

LIFE and EVERYTHINGRIGHT in the VALLEY

facebook.com/valleyite instagram.com/valleyite

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What happens when you

combine an ice cold cerveza

with a savory concoction of

hot sauce, tomato juice, fresh

squeezed lime and spices -

the perfect Michelada!

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La Quinta Inn & Suites805 Travis St • Mission, TX956-581-7772

Hampton Inn & Suites2505 Victoria Drive • Mission, TX956-682-0333

Comfort InnComfort Inn203 South Shary Rd • Mission, TX956-583-0333

Palm Aire Hotel & Suites415 S. International Blvd • Weslaco, TX956-969-2411

Hampton Inn & Suites300 W. Nolana Loop • McAllen, TX956-781-1116

Comfort SuitesComfort Suites651 Sunrise Blvd • Brownsville, TX956-541-3332

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/ ExploreMcAllen

Melba’s McAllen Dance Theatre performs at theMcAllen Civic Auditorium.

JANUARYMCALLEN NEW YEAR’S EVE BASHwww.exploremcallen.comMCALLEN FOOD FESTwww.mcallenchamber.comINTERNATIONAL CAR FESTwww.mcallencarfest.comwww.mcallencarfest.comCITRUS FESTIVALwww.texascitrusfiesta.orgMCALLEN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SHOWwww.internationaltravelshow.com

FEBRUARYVALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAwww.vsomusic.orgMELBA’S DANCE PERFORMANCEwww.melbasdance.com

MARCHGOLDEN AGE OLYMPICSwww.mcallen.net/parksRIO GRANDE VALLEY LIVESTOCK SHOWwww.rgvls.comVALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GALAwww.vsomusic.comwww.vsomusic.comNEVER SAY NEVER MUSIC FESTIVALwww.nsnfestival.comBORDERFESTwww.myborderfest.comBREW-SEUMwww.brew-seum.com

APRILMCALLEN CRAWFISH BOILwww.thecrawfishboil.comVIDA VERDE FESTIVALwww.quintamazatlan.comVALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAwww.vsomusic.comwww.vsomusic.com

MAYMELBA’S DANCE RECITALwww.melbasdance.comSUNSET LIVE OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIESwww.mcallenconventioncenter.net

JUNE/JULYMCALLEN BLUES NIGHTwww.mcallencvb.comFOURTH OF JULY CONCERT IN THE SKYwww.mcallen.netINDEPENDENCE DAY PARADEwww.mcallen.netwww.mcallen.net

SEPTEMBERMCALLEN ART WALKArt Walk is a free, self-guided family tour of art galler-ies and art venues in McAllen’s Arts District. It takes place on the first Friday of the month from 6-9pm September through May. www.exploremcallen.com

OCTOBERPALM FESTMcAllen’s largest folklife celebration features live music, shopping, cooking competitions, cultural dis-plays and more at the McAllen Convention Center.www.palmfest.comTEXAS ONION FESTIVALwww.weslaco.com/onionfest

NOVEMBERTEXAS BUTTERFLY FESTIVALwww.texasbutterflyfestival.comRGV BIRDING FESTIVALwww.rgvbf.org

DECEMBERMCALLEN MARATHONwww.mcallenmarathon.comDIAS FESTIVOS MARKETPLACEwww.juniorleaguemcallen.orgMCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADEThe largest illuminated holiday parade in Texas feaThe largest illuminated holiday parade in Texas fea-tures giant helium balloons, decorated floats, celebri-ty guests and a kids carnival.www.mcallenholidayparade.com

F an updated list of event visit...

With year-round weather in South Texas, there’salways a reason to celebrate life.

Event Calendar