Quality of Life

Entertainment and Arts District

Located on Austin and 17th Streets right in the heart of downtown McAllen, The Entertainment District, has almost fifty venues featuring live and recorded music, incredible atmosphere, great food ranging from, Mexican, Southwest, traditional American all the way to Middle Eastern. For large budgets or small, there is something for you. The District is constantly growing and changing, so if “what’s new” is important, McAllen’s Entertainment District is the place to go.

International Museum of Arts and Science

The International Museum of Art & Science is a Smithsonian Affiliate and fully accredited by the American Association of Museums. IMAS is the premier art and science museum of South Texas and contains over 50,000 square feet of exhibit space. The IMAS galleries host a number a revolving art and science exhibits each year. The museum provides a unique opportunity for visitors to participate in hands-on science exhibits and to learn original works of art while encouraging creativity and innovation. IMAS’ Permanent Collection includes Folk Art, Fine Art, Decorative Art and a modest Geological Collection.

McAllen Main Library

At 123,000 square feet, the library is the largest single floor public library in the nation. The next largest is the Johnson County Central Resource Library in Overland Park, Kansas, at 90,547 square feet.

Quinta Mazatlan

Quinta Mazatlan is a historic adobe mansion complete with an art gallery, nature exhibits, a gift shop, nature trails, and is the McAllen wing of the World Birding Center. More than 519 species of birds have been documented at Quinta Mazatlan, and 39 of these species are seen nowhere else in the country.

The city has also built a new Environmental Education Center at Quinta Mazatlan, which will be LEED Certified (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design). The “green features” of the building will serve as a model for other buildings in the region. Features such as rainwater collection, special lighting and insulation, and the reuse of old materials have been incorporated into the design. The Environmental Education Center celebrated its grand opening in April 2012.